Agriculture
I. AGRICULTURE & AQUACULTURE INDUSTRIES
The Maui Chamber of Commerce urges the County and State government to support agriculture and aquaculture industries that are important to Maui's economy and develop policies and programs to promote the health of and bring down the cost of doing business for these industries. New and diversified agricultural and aquacultural industries should be sought and developed throughout the state. Efforts should be made to more effectively utilize our ocean resources.
Supporting Statement
Maui's agricultural industry helps drive the local economy with revenues in excess of an estimated $160 million in 1995. Not only do sugar and pineapple bring money to the island, but vegetable, fruit, flower, and nursery industries, and livestock and dairy industries all contribute. The Maui Chamber of Commerce through the Ag Committee and by working with the Maui Farm Bureau has identified key problem areas and priorities which should be supported by the community and government at state and local levels.
The Chamber recognizes Maui's potential as a leading place for agricultural biotechnology and applied research in the subtropics and encourages support for such projects as well as efforts to expand the County's growing aquaculture industry.
II. SUGAR INDUSTRY
The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports a continued and viable sugar industry.
Supporting Statement
The Maui Chamber of Commerce recognizes the sound impact of the environmental good sugar provides with its greenery, and as an alternative to visitor industry as an employment base. Lacking significant evidence from the Hawaii State Department of Health that the burning of sugar can is a health hazard, our support includes the burning process involved in harvesting. The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports and encourages the industry to continue its exploration of alternatives to burning.
III. PROMOTION OF LOCALLY GROWN PRODUCTS
The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports efforts to promote locally grown products to consumers in Maui County, the State of Hawaii, the US mainland and foreign markets to help strengthen the agricultural industry.
Supporting Statement
It is important to educate residents and visitors about the importance of the agriculture industry to Maui's economy and to help them understand how they can support the industry by purchasing locally grown products. Promotional efforts will also help the industry expand to additional markets and compete in the global marketplace.
IV. AGRICULTURE RESEARCH CENTER
The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports State and Federal funding to augment private funding of NIFTAL and the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center.
Supporting Statement
The Hawaii Agriculture Research Center and NIFTAL does exploratory research and development in areas such as vegetable variety trials, demonstration plantings, pest management alternatives to chemical control, coffee, forestry tree crops, papaya and crop improvement in the sugar and pineapple industries.
Over the past two years the research center has lobbied for a million dollars of funding for each year. These funds have been matched by private industry and by doing so have shown dedication to an ongoing and thriving industry providing employment for many citizens.
The Maui Chamber of Commerce urges the County and State government to support agriculture and aquaculture industries that are important to Maui's economy and develop policies and programs to promote the health of and bring down the cost of doing business for these industries. New and diversified agricultural and aquacultural industries should be sought and developed throughout the state. Efforts should be made to more effectively utilize our ocean resources.
Supporting Statement
Maui's agricultural industry helps drive the local economy with revenues in excess of an estimated $160 million in 1995. Not only do sugar and pineapple bring money to the island, but vegetable, fruit, flower, and nursery industries, and livestock and dairy industries all contribute. The Maui Chamber of Commerce through the Ag Committee and by working with the Maui Farm Bureau has identified key problem areas and priorities which should be supported by the community and government at state and local levels.
The Chamber recognizes Maui's potential as a leading place for agricultural biotechnology and applied research in the subtropics and encourages support for such projects as well as efforts to expand the County's growing aquaculture industry.
II. SUGAR INDUSTRY
The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports a continued and viable sugar industry.
Supporting Statement
The Maui Chamber of Commerce recognizes the sound impact of the environmental good sugar provides with its greenery, and as an alternative to visitor industry as an employment base. Lacking significant evidence from the Hawaii State Department of Health that the burning of sugar can is a health hazard, our support includes the burning process involved in harvesting. The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports and encourages the industry to continue its exploration of alternatives to burning.
III. PROMOTION OF LOCALLY GROWN PRODUCTS
The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports efforts to promote locally grown products to consumers in Maui County, the State of Hawaii, the US mainland and foreign markets to help strengthen the agricultural industry.
Supporting Statement
It is important to educate residents and visitors about the importance of the agriculture industry to Maui's economy and to help them understand how they can support the industry by purchasing locally grown products. Promotional efforts will also help the industry expand to additional markets and compete in the global marketplace.
IV. AGRICULTURE RESEARCH CENTER
The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports State and Federal funding to augment private funding of NIFTAL and the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center.
Supporting Statement
The Hawaii Agriculture Research Center and NIFTAL does exploratory research and development in areas such as vegetable variety trials, demonstration plantings, pest management alternatives to chemical control, coffee, forestry tree crops, papaya and crop improvement in the sugar and pineapple industries.
Over the past two years the research center has lobbied for a million dollars of funding for each year. These funds have been matched by private industry and by doing so have shown dedication to an ongoing and thriving industry providing employment for many citizens.
