STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1658-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.R. No. 86

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.R. No. 86 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO ASSIST COFFEE FARMERS IN PURCHASING ORGANIC FERTILIZER TO PREVENT COFFEE LEAF RUST,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the Department of Agriculture to assist coffee farmers in purchasing organic fertilizer to prevent coffee leaf rust.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that in 2020, coffee leaf rust was discovered for the first time in the State on the islands of Hawaii and Maui. Considered to be one of the most damaging diseases of coffee plants, coffee leaf rust has since spread to the islands of Kauai, Lanai, Molokai, and Oahu. Your Committee further finds that the spread of coffee leaf rust on all Hawaiian Islands threatens the viability of the State's coffee industry, and therefore, the adoption of organic disease management strategies such as improving tree health is vital to containing this damaging disease.

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.R. No. 86 and recommends its adoption.

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

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair