Hawaii Senate Bill SB742

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/20/23
• Refer: 1/25/23
• Report Pass: 2/13/23
• Refer: 2/13/23

Caption

Relating To Agriculture.

Impact

The bill recognizes the vital role that the Kona cooperative extension plays in supporting local coffee farmers, whose industry has a significant economic presence in the state. The coffee industry alone is valued at approximately $48.4 million in farm-gate value. The establishment of a full-time educational support associate is envisioned to provide both administrative and technical guidance for research projects, thereby improving the overall response to the challenges faced by growers. This position would enable extension faculty to prioritize community outreach and educational initiatives that support sustainable agricultural practices.

Summary

Senate Bill 742 aims to establish a permanent educational support associate position within the University of Hawaii's College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR). This initiative is designed to bolster the cooperative extension program, focusing on providing non-formal science-based education and enhancing outreach strategies. The creation of this position intends to support various agricultural industries in Hawaii, particularly benefiting local farmers facing significant challenges due to agricultural pests and diseases affecting crops, specifically within the coffee sector.

Contention

While the bill is largely framed as a support initiative for local agriculture, some points of contention may arise concerning budget allocation and the effectiveness of an added position within the extension program. As the funding for this role comes from state revenue, questions could be raised about its long-term sustainability and whether the investment will produce measurable benefits for the agricultural community. Moreover, there could be concerns among stakeholders about the adequacy of existing resources and whether the new position will sufficiently address the diverse needs of various agricultural sectors beyond coffee.