HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

THE SENATE

THE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE

REGULAR SESSION OF 2026

 

COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & FOOD SYSTEMS

Rep. Cory M. Chun, Chair

Rep. Matthias Kusch, Vice Chair

 

Rep. Kirstin Kahaloa

Rep. Sean Quinlan

Rep. Nicole E. Lowen

Rep. Lauren Matsumoto

Rep. Amy A. Perruso

 

 

COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & ENVIRONMENT

Senator Mike Gabbard, Chair

Senator Herbert M. "Tim" Richards, III, Vice Chair

 

Sen. Lynn DeCoite

Sen. Brenton Awa

Sen. Karl Rhoads

 

 

COMMITTEE ON ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Rep. Nicole E. Lowen, Chair

Rep. Amy A. Perruso, Vice Chair

 

Rep. Cory M. Chun

Rep. Sean Quinlan

Rep. Kirstin Kahaloa

Rep. Lauren Matsumoto

Rep. Matthias Kusch

 

 

COMMITTEE ON WATER, LAND, CULTURE & THE ARTS

Senator Chris Lee, Chair

Senator Lorraine R. Inouye, Vice Chair

 

Sen. Stanley Chang

Sen. Samantha DeCorte

Sen. Rachele Lamosao

 

 

 

NOTICE OF INFORMATIONAL BRIEFING

 

DATE:

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

TIME:

9:30 AM

PLACE:

VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE

Conference Room 325

State Capitol

415 South Beretania Street

 

 

 

A live stream link of all House Standing Committee meetings will be available online

shortly before the scheduled start time.

 

Click here for the live stream of this meeting via YouTube.

 

 

 

A G E N D A

 

 

 

The purpose of this informational briefing is to provide an overview of the impacts of the March 2026 Kona Low storms on Hawaiʻi’s farming communities. Presenters will share statewide damage assessments, urgent needs identified by farmers and ranchers, and updates on federal and state response efforts. The session will also highlight gaps in recovery support and outline potential policy and funding actions to support agricultural recovery and long-term resilience. 

 

Speakers will include: 

 

  • Moderator: Dr. Amanda Shaw 

 Introduction and background 
  • Brian Miyamoto, HFBF 

 Federal and statewide response efforts and needs 
  • Hunter Heavilin, HFUF 

 Disaster reporting tool, HFU outreach efforts, and farmer needs 
  • Sharon Hurd, DAB 

 Statewide recovery assistance funding 
  • Suzanne Shriner, SHAC 

 Farmer impacts and disaster guide 
  • Nicole Galase, HCC 

 Livestock needs 
  • Amy Miller or Elia Herman 

 Food access needs and assistance 

 

Question & Answer / Discussion 

 

 

If you require special assistance or auxiliary aids and/or services to participate in the House public hearing process (i.e.,  interpretive services (oral or written) or ASL interpreter), please contact the Committee Clerk at least 24 hours prior to the hearing so arrangements can be made. 

 

For further information, please call the Committee Clerk at (808) 586-6170.

 

 

 

________________________________________

Senator Mike Gabbard

Chair

 

________________________________________

Rep. Cory Chun

Chair

________________________________________

Senator Chris Lee

Chair

 

________________________________________

Rep. Nicole E. Lowen

Chair