Hawaii Farm Bureau Praises 2007 Legislature
Dear Senator Hanabusa,
On behalf of the members of the Hawaii Farm Bureau, I would like to extend our gratitude to you and the Legislature for several of the positive agricultural measures that were approved in the 2007 Legislative Session. Often times these types of positive measures go unrecognized by the media and the general public, but will make a substantial impact to the viability of agricultural industry and the long term sustainability of Hawaii overall.
House Bill 399 provided $500,000 to the Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts for the operation of the soil and water conservation districts. The Soil and Water Conservation Districts provides a critical service to farmers and ranchers statewide to develop a conservation plan mandated by county, state and federal agencies. This also alleviates the farmer or rancher waiting for from county grading permits and, thus alleviates the county’s exposure to liability. The conservation plan is a critical document that will assist the farmers and ranchers to be good stewards of the land that will reduce erosion and enhance other soil and water conservation practices. There has been a greater demand for this very important public service as we transition into a more diverse agricultural industry.
House Bill 400 provides $4 million for drought mitigation to DLNR to allow the counties to implement the Hawaii Drought Plan. During periods of drought, the farmers and ranchers are the first to be asked and mandated to reduce irrigation usage. This reduction causes major disruption in both the immediate term as well as long term effects. It is critical that we have a drought strategy in place before drought actually occurs so that we have sufficient water storage. This measure provides great foresight to prepare the State to address drought.
House Bill 1221 created a livestock revitalization and food security program that provides $3 million per year to help offset the cost for feed. Hawaii’s livestock industry is in a critical stage and immediate assistance is needed to keep this sector alive. With the high cost of transportation and feed cost rising, we need to help subsidize the feed cost to keep our livestock industry competitive with the global market.
Senate Bill 837 authorized the ADC to purchase agricultural land in Kunia and Ewa areas from private entities and appropriated $9 million. This measure will allow the State to purchase some of the best agricultural lands in central Oahu for agricultural production. This area is critical to keeping our lands in agriculture and could be used as a template for other lands deemed as important agricultural lands.
Senate Bill 885 provides for a comprehensive agricultural education program within the Department of Education. This program is important for the future expansion and development of Hawaii’s agricultural industry. We need to continue to educate our youth of the importance of agricultural industry and sets up a systematic core program within the State education system.
The State Budget Bill (HB 500) provided funds to several different sectors of the industry:
• Capital Improvement Projects for Waimanalo Irrigation System ($6 million) and a Dual Line Irrigation System for Upcountry Kula, Maui ($1.5 million). Both systems are in need for further development and improvements for active farming areas.
• Operation and maintenance for East Kauai Irrigation System ($50,000). The East Kauai Irrigation System provides water to over 5,000 acres of prime agricultural land.
• Research and Market Development (GIA) for the Hawaii Farm Bureau ($500,000). We are appreciative for the opportunity to manage a grant that provides applicable research and market development projects that will directly benefit Hawaii’s farmers and ranchers.
These are only some of the highlights of measures that were approved in this legislative session and recognize that there may be other measure that directly or indirectly impacts Hawaii’s agricultural industry.
As we greatly appreciate these initiatives, we continue to work on pursing the efforts of establishing incentives for farmers and landowners to designate their lands as important agricultural lands (IAL) pursuant to Act 183 (2005). Unfortunately, no IAL incentive measures were approved this year and strongly urge that this effort be a priority issue in the next legislative session.
If you have any questions, please call me or Alan Takemoto, Executive Director, at 848-2074. Thank you for your continued support of our organization and the agricultural industry statewide.
Sincerely,
Dean J. Okimoto
President
(Letter Dated May 18, 2007, from Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation)