STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 2092
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2025
RE: S.C.R. No. 88
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Madame:
Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 88 entitled:
"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO ESTABLISH AND ADMINISTER A MICROBIAL ALGAE SOIL PRODUCTS PILOT PROGRAM,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to:
(1) Request the Department of Agriculture to establish and administer a Microbial Algae Soil Products Pilot Program that introduces microbial algae on agricultural lands in the State to address agricultural soil health while improving nutrient cycling, reducing fertilizer dependency, and enhancing overall soil health;
(2) Request farmers to be eligible for participation in the Microbial Algae Soil Products Pilot Program;
(3) Establish additional criteria for eligibility to participate in the Microbial Algae Soil Products Pilot Program;
(4) Request the Department of Agriculture to collaborate with the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resiliency, laboratories at the University of Hawaii engaged in the study of soil sciences, and any other departments, laboratories, or units at the University of Hawaii relevant to the Microbial Algae Soil Products Pilot Program; and
(5) Request the Department of Agriculture to submit a report on its findings and recommendations prior to the Regular Sessions of 2026 and 2027.
Your Committee finds that soil health is a critical element of sustainable crop production, but soil degradation by excessive uses of chemical fertilizers results in the depletion of essential microbiological nutrients. Your Committee further finds that to prevent soil degradation, algae-based fertilizers have been proven to protect soil while replenishing key nutrients. Additionally, emerging research has demonstrated that specific types of microalgae and seaweeds offer promising solutions to improve soil health, which is a sustainable and cost-effective solution for the State's agricultural industry. This measure requests that the Department of Agriculture establish and administer a Microbial Algae Soil Products Pilot Program in collaboration with the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resiliency of the University of Hawaii and other relevant laboratories, departments or units at the University of Hawaii.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 88 and recommends its adoption.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,
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____________________________ KIRSTIN KAHALOA, Chair |
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