HB3430

SECTION 1. Taro (kalo, or Colocasia esculenta) has been a plant of central importance to the survival of the Hawaiian people since their arrival in these islands an estimated one thousand two hundred years ago. Hawaiians recognize taro as their elder brother and hold this relationship as sacred.

The famed taro-growing places of Hanalei, Kauai; Waikapu to Waihee and Keanae-Wailua nui, Maui; Windward, Oahu; Halawa, Molokai; Kohala, Waipio, and the dryland systems of Kona, Hawaii; and many other sites represent one thousand two hundred years of continuous cultivation that has preserved taro for residents and millions of tourists annually and provided habitat for Hawaii's endemic and endangered waterbirds and other fauna.

In the past, traditional taro cultivation fed many Hawaiians, and today, it continues to contribute to the health and well-being of all Hawaii residents. The poi, taro, and luau (taro leaf) in local diets is recognized by physicians as having conclusive and positive effects on health.

Taro has provided the people of Hawaii with food and livelihood; contributed to the education of students from pre-school through graduate school, from the arts and culture to the sciences; and enhanced the economic abundance and vibrancy of the State through its contributions to art, research, jobs, value-added products and product-imaging, and tourism.

While this agricultural crop utilizes barely one per cent of all agricultural lands in production in Hawaii in 2005, it is the most significant cultural crop in the State. The cropping system designs, diversity of traditional production methods, and diversity of varieties of taro found in Hawaii are unique in the Pacific. No other area in Polynesia has refined the growing of taro to such a high degree.

Only an estimated five hundred acres out of many thousands of acres of agricultural lands remain in taro cultivation in the State in 2006. Commercial taro production fell from four hundred thirty acres to three hundred fifty acres in the last five years. Threats to the continuation of taro cultivation are many, including: crop diseases; the invasive apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata), which accounted for up to twenty-five per cent crop loss and fifty per cent of labor increases for taro farmers in 2005; feral pigs, which destroyed several major traditional Hawaiian taro variety collections in the last few years; and the rising costs of living, land values, leases, and taxes, all of which are making growing taro an endangered way of life and have the potential to put a multi-million dollar sector of the economy out of business within the next five years.

At one time, there existed three hundred to four hundred varieties of taro developed by Hawaiians, each with its own unique characteristics of color, shape, hardiness, fragrance, and flavor. In 1934, only eighty-four varieties were documented. Today, less than seventy-five varieties have been found, although there is hope that more may be recovered. All of the original Hawaiian taro variety collections set aside to preserve this unique heritage from the 1930s to the present are now incomplete and in need of recovery. Many of the ancient varieties are at risk of disappearing completely because their populations number less than five known plants.

The purpose of this Act is to recognize and designate kalo, the ancient taro-growing systems and places throughout the State, and the traditional taro-farming lifestyle as unique and cherished resources contributing to the special identity, economy, and well-being of Hawaii and in critical need of protection.

SECTION 2. Chapter 195D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§195D- Kalo; unique and endangered. (a) The kalo plant (Colocasia esculenta), the traditional kalo varieties developed by Hawaiians, and the traditional kalo-growing places are recognized as unique and cherished resources important to the identity, economy, health, and well-being of the State and in need of increased protection.

(b) The chairperson of the board of land and natural resources shall increase protection of indigenous wetland and dry land kalo varieties and historic taro-growing places, while providing for continued cultural utilization and agricultural cultivation.

(c) The chairperson of the board of agriculture shall increase support for taro farm survival through farmer-agency pest control collaboration and the protection of taro purity, indigenous kalo varieties, and taro markets."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	3430
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII