STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1021

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1498

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1498 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE PROTECTION OF TARO,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to improve protections for wetland taro lands and ancient wetland agricultural structures.

Specifically, this measure:

(1) Prohibits the Board of Land and Natural Resources from disturbing or acquiring for development certain wetland taro-growing lands;

(2) Establishes a taro lands classification for public lands;

(3) Permits structures for loi taro fields in the agricultural district;

(4) Establishes growth and perpetuation of traditional Hawaiian crops as a goal of the Hawaii State Planning Act; and

(5) Authorizes the Land Use Commission to create an inventory of taro lands.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from Malama Kaua`i, Hawaii Farmers Union United, Food+ Policy Internship, Hawai`i Alliance for Progressive Action, Malama Makua, and sixteen individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and one individual.

Your Committee finds that key structural elements for viable wetland taro production are currently at risk of being destroyed, severed, or built upon by private and public development because of gaps in land use, historic preservation, and planning laws and policies. Your Committee further finds that this measure will improve protections for taro growing lands, support taro farmers, and encourage the cultivation of an important Hawaiian staple food.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

(2) Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of consistency and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1498, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1498, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair