STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1418

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.C.R. No. 139

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 139 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A WORKING GROUP TO INTEGRATE HAWAII'S INDIGENOUS FOOD SYSTEMS AND TRADITIONAL HAWAIIAN FARMING PRACTICES INTO THE STATE'S GOAL OF DOUBLING FOOD PRODUCTION BY 2020,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Land and Natural Resources with the assistance of the Department of Agriculture to:

(1) Establish a working group to integrate Hawaii’s indigenous food systems and traditional Hawaiian farming practices into the State’s goal of doubling food productions by 2020;

(2) Submit findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature prior to the 2018 Regular Session.

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture, The Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, The Rally For Common Ground, and We are One, Inc. as well as numerous individuals provided testimony in support of the measure. The Department of Land and Natural Resources provided comments only.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 139 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture,

____________________________

RICHARD P. CREAGAN, Chair