Bill Text: HI HR209 | 2019 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii House Resolution 209 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Commending Faith Tuipulotu For Her Dedication To Agriculture And Her Contributions To Farming In Hawaii.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-03-15 - Resolution adopted in final form. [HR209 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2019-HR209-Introduced.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	209
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

COMMENDING FAITH TUIPULOTU FOR HER DEDICATION TO AGRICULTURE AND HER CONTRIBUTIONS TO FARMING IN HAWAII.

WHEREAS, FAITH TUIPULOTU has dedicated herself to the betterment of agriculture in Hawaii; through her many accomplishments and contributions to farming, both conventional and organic, on Molokai and across the entire State of Hawaii, she is a shining example of how one can help and support all agriculture; and

WHEREAS, FAITH TUIPULOTU was born in Hoolehua, Molokai in 1961; as a third-generation farmer, the second-born of five siblings, she learned at a young age what hard work was, to not give up, and most of all, no matter how long that row of weeds was in front of her, "don�t look up!"; and

WHEREAS, FAITH TUIPULOTU graduated from Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama in 1979, and then went on to receive an Associate of Science degree in Farm Management, an Associate of Science degree in Greenhouse Management, and an Associate of Science degree in Turf Management from University of Hawaii Maui College in 1988; and

WHEREAS, FAITH TUIPULOTU utilized her skills as a landscaper for Outrigger Hotels and Resorts in Waikiki from 1990 to 1998; when she moved back to her home island of Molokai, she contributed to the reforestation of Kahoolawe from 1999 to 2000 as an agricultural technician for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Hoolehua Office, and in March of 2001, she began her current job with the University of Hawaii's College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) Cooperative Extension Service on Molokai, helping farmers with land preparation and crop production; and

WHEREAS, along with her husband, Tio, and three sons, FAITH TUIPULOTU formed Tuipulotu Farm on Molokai, where they started growing green beans for the local market and eventually found their niche market growing Tongan yams; and

WHEREAS, FAITH TUIPULOTU decided to expand her farming education, and in 2009, she became an Organic Inspector for the Hawaii Organic Farming Association and eventually for International Certification Services (ICS); with these credentials, she is able to offer "Organic" certification services to farmers throughout the State; in 2012, Tuipulotu Farm transitioned into an organic farm known as Tuipulotu Organics LLC, with the main crop being organic papayas delivered to Kumu Farms and shipped to the mainland market and with further diversification into organic butternut squash and organic bun long taro; in 2014, FAITH TUIPULOTU was introduced to Korean natural farming methods by her brother, who also operates an organic farm, and between them, working with ICS, they were able to get certain Korean natural farming practices approved as "Certified Organic"; and

WHEREAS, while FAITH TUIPULOTU continues to oversee her family farm and work for CTAHR, she also takes the time to help other farmers succeed, serving as the President of the Molokai Homestead Farmers Alliance and as the Chairman for the Molokai-Lanai Soil and Water Conservation District Board; and

WHEREAS, FAITH TUIPULOTU also sees it as her duty to encourage future generations to learn about farming by sharing her knowledge and helping all farmers, conventional and organic, learn and grow; she refers to this as �growing more farmers"; in a time when the State is looking to double local food production, she is doing her part to work collaboratively with various entities in the agriculture industry to ensure that all succeed and that fresh local food is available for everyone; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2019, that this body hereby recognizes, commends, and expresses its appreciation to FAITH TUIPULOTU for her dedication and many contributions to local farming, both conventional and organic, and her commitment to helping others farm on Molokai and across the State, and extends to her its warmest aloha and best wishes for continued success in all future endeavors.