Bill Text: HI SB2730 | 2020 | Regular Session | Amended
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
THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2730 |
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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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)
The summary description
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not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.