Bill Text: HI SB2730 | 2020 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Relating To ulu.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2020-03-09 - Referred to LHE/AGR, FIN, referral sheet 36 [SB2730 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2020-SB2730-Amended.html

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THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2730
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO ‘ULU.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  Hawaiian breadfruit, otherwise known as ‘ulu, has a long history in Hawaii as a significant and culturally important food source.  This history includes a period during which breadfruit played a significant role by being the source of millions of pounds of nutritious food that sustained the population across the islands annually.  Today, breadfruit is just as important, if not more important, than ever before.  Research has shown that the district of Kona alone annually produced approximately twenty to forty million pounds of breadfruit on ten thousand acres of land.  Breadfruit is believed to have arrived in Hawaii approximately seven hundred years ago.  Since its introduction to Hawaii, breadfruit has consistently contributed to and enhanced the traditional Hawaiian diet, culture, and lifestyle.  Breadfruit's distinctive appearance; mythical origins; historical, cultural, religious, and social significance; and diverse uses in traditional food preparation have all contributed to the legacy of breadfruit in Hawaiian heritage and culture.  Breadfruit has been, and continues to be, a manifestation of Hawaii nei.

     Several factors over the past decade have demonstrated that the consumption, research, and value of breadfruit are growing in relevance, including the availability of large numbers of breadfruit trees, expansion of the gluten-free market, and increasing market movement toward locally grown food.  For the first time in the technological era, breadfruit has the potential to become a major commercial crop, while remaining closely connected to traditional Hawaiian, Polynesian, Micronesian, and Melanesian values.

     Hawaii is poised to become a global leader in breadfruit research and development.  Significant global efforts have been made to address breadfruit production in Hawaii, including the National Tropical Botanical Gardens' conservation efforts to increase and maintain breadfruit agrobiodiversity, significant breadfruit-related product research and development by the university of Hawaii, statewide research efforts on breadfruit agronomy and cropping systems through the university of Hawaii's college of tropical agriculture and human resources, Pacific-wide relationship and development efforts through the Pacific business center program at the university of Hawaii's Shidler college of business, and the Hawaii ‘Ulu Producers Cooperative's implementation of cooperative development structures and a processing infrastructure for breadfruit.  Dozens of small breadfruit producers around the State make diverse products including chips, hummus, pies, and baking mixes.  Additionally, a growing number of restaurants, distributors, and retail vendors are carrying breadfruit products.  These are real economic and social impacts for Hawaii, representing dozens of jobs, local produce and products, and infrastructure for broader agricultural development.  Over a span of just two years, the Hawaii ‘Ulu Producers Cooperative has grown to represent more than seventy farmers, hired ten employees, been a key supplier to the department of education's aina pono program, and developed processing capabilities that have expanded to include additional crops.

     More support is needed for the projected increase in breadfruit production.  A recent statewide survey indicates that there are more than nine thousand breadfruit trees planted, with more trees expected to be planted.  However, only approximately one thousand five hundred trees are currently productive in commercial settings.  The State's commercial production of breadfruit is expected to increase at least six-fold in the coming years.  There is some investment into research and development, but additional research, outreach, and education are required to develop sustainable breadfruit production methods, postharvest handling, processing and refinement, manufacturing methods, scalable flour mill design, packaging, market product development and testing, distribution, and regional sustainable capacity for supply for breadfruit products.  In order to realize breadfruit's potential as a major contributor to local food and food security, financial and ancillary support for the burgeoning industry are needed.

     A conservative estimate of $2,000,000 per year of farm-gate value, i.e., two million pounds of fruit per year, is anticipated within five years, with an additional four‑to‑eight‑fold impact on economic development coming from processing, marketing, and distribution of the fruit.  The global gluten-free market was valued at $14,940,000,000 in 2016 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 9.3 per cent until 2025, illustrating the potential external market for breadfruit.  Furthermore, the profit projected from processing and marketing the breadfruit flower as an organic insecticide is estimated to exceed the million-dollar mark.  The breadfruit flower contains a potent natural tri-chemical compound combination that outperforms its synthetic insecticide competitors.

     The economic potential for the processing, refinement, packaging, and exporting of breadfruit products for the state and national market is substantial considering the general employment and economic benefits to the State.

     The purpose of this Act is to make an appropriation to the university of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources for the research, development, marketing, and conservation of breadfruit.  The university of Hawaii has initiated a vibrant breadfruit research program that is well-positioned to execute the objectives of this Act.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for the research, development, marketing, and conservation of breadfruit as follows:

     (1)  Supporting farmers by performing production-focused research of essential aspects of nutrient management for tree performance and yield;

     (2)  Performing processing-focused research to support post-processing and the development of new breadfruit products;

     (3)  Providing consumer education to aid in the continued growth of the market demand; and

     (4)  Providing ancillary support to producers, processors, and consumers, including tree production, training, technical expertise, and consumption guides.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the college of tropical agriculture and human resources at the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

 

 

Report Title:

University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources; Agriculture; Breadfruit; ‘Ulu; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds for the research, development, marketing, and conservation of ‘ulu.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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