STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1361-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.C.R. No. 43

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 43 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO DEVELOP A STRATEGIC PLAN TO STRENGTHEN FOOD SECURITY FOR LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES IN HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Agriculture to:

(1) Develop a strategic plan to enhance food security for low-income communities in Hawaii by identifying and assessing barriers to accessing locally produced and nutritious food; and

(2) Explore strategies to expand access to affordable, locally sourced food and support local farmers through economic incentives and capacity-building programs.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi; Church State Council; and two individuals. Your Committee received comments from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that food security is a fundamental human right that is essential for public health.  Your committee further recognizes the challenges faced by low-income communities in accessing nutritious food and advocates for promoting local food production to improve health, economic security, and environmental sustainability.  Accordingly, this measure calls for a comprehensive strategic plan involving collaboration among government agencies, community organizations, and agricultural stakeholders to address issues related to food access, affordability, land use, education, and community engagement.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Adding language to include communities recovering from disasters to the food security study;

(2) Adding a request for the study to include communities recovering from disasters, particularly in the Lahaina community following the August 2023 wildfires; and

(3) Updating the title the reflect the amended changes.

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.C.R. No. 43, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 43, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair