#agriculture

The Maui County Council moved forward two bills this week aimed at bolstering island agriculture, but one — Bill 75, which seeks to establish agricultural tourism — sparked a debate over safeguarding indigenous Hawaiian cultural practices from commercial exploitation. In a less contentious move, Bill 76 received unanimous final Council approval to allow food trucks […]

Gov. Josh Green has signed several bills to strengthen the state’s resilience against biosecurity threats and protect against invasive species, pests and diseases, and that support Hawai‘i agriculture. The governor signed into law Act 236 on June 27, which among other provisions, renames the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture as the Department of Agriculture & Biosecurity […]

Gov. Josh Green, M.D., signed five bills into law on Friday, affirming the commitment to strengthening Hawaiʻi’s agricultural and economic sectors for the benefit of the ʻāina, its people and local businesses.

With the average age of Hawaiʻi farm producers at 60.7 years in 2022, many groups in Maui County are offering programs to attract young people to the farming profession.

Community members say there aren’t enough Hawaiian homestead opportunities in East Maui and hope the project can ease the burden on multigenerational households living under one roof.

While unloading cans of Spam and packets of saimin at distribution hubs shortly after the fires, Makale’a Ane and other farmers wanted to find ways to get fresher, healthier foods to families.  “After the fires, we kind of pivoted and took the work that we’re doing on the farm and said, let’s feed our people in this way,” said Ane, the climae and resilience director for the Living Pono Project.

An acre of Maui Gold Pineapple’s farm is the location of a new test plot for biological soil amendment, organic liquid filled with nutrients and microbes created by SoilThrive by Environmental Solutions Maui.

Maui County Council members will hear a presentation from the Department of Planning on Monday on a draft of Maui County’s first official wetland map. The Agriculture, Diversification, Environment and Public Transportation Committee, chaired by Council Member Gabe Johnson, is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. Monday.

More than 1,300 kupuna 60 years and older who met the income requirement have or will be receiving 10 $5 coupons, totaling $50, to exchange for unprocessed locally grown fruits, vegetables, herbs and honey from an authorized farmer or farmers market.

The Lahainaluna High School once provided fruit, vegetables and livestock produce to its students and community. Its vast agricultural grounds received a manicure from local students, organizations and volunteers on Wednesday, bringing the school one step closer to its goal of replanting Lahaina.

The Hawaiʻi State Senate Committee on Ways and Means on Friday advanced several bills aimed at addressing key priorities for the Senate. These bills cover areas of supporting the local agriculture industry, protecting the environment against invasive species, building the workforce for the future through public education, and addressing the affordable housing shortage.

House Bill No. 2329 allocates $150,000 to establish a one-year pilot program to reduce the population of rose-ringed parakeets on the Garden Isle.

With the 32nd State Legislature set to begin on Jan. 17, the Hawaiʻi Senate Majority said it is focused on addressing a range of issues, with a key focus on supporting ongoing disaster recovery efforts following the devastating Maui wildfires.

In the aftermath of Maui’s Lahaina wildfire, the University of Hawai‘i will use $519,000 in USDA grants to fund research projects that aim to reinforce Hawai‘i’s agriculture against disasters and address the health risks of toxic chromium.

Uncle George Kahumoku Jr. has started a GoFundMe account and has raised more than $170,000 to support the slack key ohana and the Maui Food Bank.

The Department of Agriculture was started in July 2022, after county residents voted in November 2020 to establish the department.

Governor Josh Green, M.D. on Wednesday signed bills into law aimed at supporting local agriculture. The measures also seek to enhance local food production through the acquisition of the Wahiawā Irrigation System. The legislation attempts to remove barriers to farming and enhance present and future public health and safety by increasing penalties for pesticide violations.

New US Rep. Jill Tokuda of Hawaiʻi finds “heightened urgency” surrounding issues of affordability, housing and sustainability. She says her work at the national level involves “a whole new toolbox” that provides for expanded reach. Maui Nowʻs Wendy Osher talks one-on-one with Rep. Tokuda during her visit to the Valley Isle.

This year, the Hawaiʻi State Capitol is open to the pubic and in-person public sessions for the first time since COVID-19 led to social distancing.

Over the past 20 years, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources has transferred 19,000 acres of land to the state Department of Agriculture and another 19,000 acres to the DOA’s Agribusiness Development Corporation.