Bill Text: HI SB3023 | 2014 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Agriculture; Ulu; Appropriation ($)
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2014-04-25 - Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-25-14 2:45PM in conference room 224. [SB3023 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2014-SB3023-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
3023 |
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TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014 |
S.D. 2 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
H.D. 1 |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND MARKETING OF THE ULU BREADFRUIT.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The breadfruit, or ‘ulu, as it is named in Hawaiian, was one of the few subsistence plants the Polynesians brought with them when they sailed to the Hawaiian islands. ‘Ulu's mythical origins, its fame in history, and its immense usefulness to islanders have made the tree an immortal symbol of Hawai‘i nei. ‘Ulu reached the Hawaiian islands near the year 750 A.D., and over the centuries made significant contributions to the Hawaiians' survival and lifestyle.
‘Ulu has the potential to become a major crop in Hawai‘i. Currently, research is underway to analyze, test, and validate the potential for an ‘ulu industry. Research is examining various ‘ulu production methods and techniques, including harvesting, drying, processing, and refinement; manufacturing, product packaging, and export; markets and food distribution networks; and employment opportunities. Sales strategies include sending samples to FoodSource, a C.H. Robinson Company, for selective product testing. This company's clientele includes SUBWAY, Whole Foods Market, and Trader Joe's.
‘Ulu is a gluten free product that, within the context of the projected demand for gluten free products at a conservative $6,600,000,000 for the United States market by 2017, could potentially be an agricultural crop for Hawai‘i. For example, there is a huge market for gluten free noodles using ‘ulu flour of which university food scientists are keenly aware. There is the potential for a regional system whereby the United States Pacific territories become sub regional hubs and the outer spokes to Hawai‘i, which will serve as the main Pacific hub for refining, processing, packaging, and exporting ‘ulu products to the mainland market. The ‘ulu is also a means to achieve food sustainability because the plant is a food staple like taro.
It is important that the ‘ulu that comes out of Hawai‘i has a cultural sense of balance in terms of its sacredness, as ‘ulu is the basis of many Pacific island stories and belief systems.
The agency primarily responsible for research, development, and marketing of ‘ulu is the agribusiness development corporation, which is authorized under section 163D‑4(a)(11), Hawaii Revised Statutes, to "[c]arry out specialized programs designed to develop new markets for Hawaii agricultural products", and under section 163D-4(a)(6), Hawaii Revised Statutes, to "[c]arry out surveys, research, and investigations into technological, business, financial, consumer trends, and other aspects of agricultural production in the national and international community".
The purpose of this Act is to make an appropriation for the research, development, and marketing of ‘ulu.
SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawai‘i the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 for the research, development, and marketing of ‘ulu.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the agribusiness development corporation for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.
Report Title:
Agriculture; ‘Ulu; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates funds for fiscal year 2014-2015 for the research, development, and marketing of ‘ulu. (SB3023 HD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
