STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1621

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.R. No. 69

H.D. 1

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 H.R. No. 69 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE deparetment of agriculture TO DESIGNATE KUNIA, LEILEHUA PLATEAU, AND POAMOHO AS THE CENTRAL OAHU AGRICULTURAL CORRIDOR AND TO ESTABLISH A LIST PRIORITIZING POTENTIAL AGRICULTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS THAT WOULD PROVIDE THE MOST VALUE TO THE STATE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Transportation to plan, design, and implement traffic signage designating a:

(1) Speed limit of thirty-five miles per hour; and

(2) "No Passing" zone; and

The purpose of this measure is to request that the Department of Agriculture establish a list of prioritizing potential agricultural infrastructure improvement projects that would provide the most value to the State when considering:

(1) The estimated increase in agricultural production if the recommendation infrastructure improvement project is implemented;

(2) The estimated cost of the recommended infrastructure improvement project;

(3) County plans;

(4) County zoning and land use;

(5) State land use; and

(6) Any other factors that the Department of Agriculture finds relevant.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Agribusiness Development Corporation, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, Hawaiʻi Agriculture Research Center, Bayer, Kunia Village Title Holding Corporation, and one individual.

Your Committee received comments from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Amending the department doing the designation from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture to the Agribusiness Development Corporation; and

(2) Amending its title in accordance with its amended purpose; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purpose of clarity and consistency.

Your Committee notes that designating Kunia, Leilehua Plateau, and Poamoho as the Central Oahu Agricultural Corridor would benefit diversified farming lands. Your Committee further finds that because Hawaii is heavily reliant on imported food, the implementation of upgraded infrastructure for agricultural lands will increase the productivity which is essential for meeting the state's 2030 goal of doubling local food production. This measure asks the Agribusiness Development Corporation to submit a report containing its list and regulated findings and recommendations, include proposed legislation, if any, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the Regular Session.

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 H.R. No. 69, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 69, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,

____________________________

KIRSTIN KAHALOA, Chair