House Approves Funds for Hawai‘i Agriculture
Bill Includes More Than $24 Million Requested by Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono announced that the U.S. House of Representatives has approved more than $24 million for agricultural projects that she requested. The funding is contained in the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (H.R. 3161), which the House passed last week among the final days in session before the summer district work period.
Congresswoman Hirono said, “This funding will make possible a number of vital projects that benefit the farmers, families and rural communities I represent. Agriculture has historically been a significant part of our state’s economy, and although the industry is changing, it will continue to be important. I am pleased that so many of the projects I advocated received funding in bill passed by the House of Representatives.”
In addition to securing the earmarked projects, Congresswoman Hirono requested language in the bill that will provide funding for several essential irrigation and flood control projects.
Congresswoman Hirono said, “Having an adequate supply of water is essential to agriculture in Hawai‘i, as the drought our state has experienced reminds us. That is why I have been working on some long-term solutions to enhance the availability of water for our farmers such as my request for funds for the Upcountry Maui Watershed Irrigation Project and the Lower Hamakua Ditch Watershed Irrigation Project. In addition, in the Farm Bill that the House passed recently I was able to get Hawai‘i added to the list of 15 states eligible for USDA’s Agricultural Management Assistance Program, which will provide Hawai‘i farmers with access to cost-share assistance to construct or improve water management or irrigation structures on their land.”
A list of the projects requested by Congresswoman Hirono that were funded in the Agricultural Appropriations bill passed by the House follows.
Projects Requested by Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono
Included in the House Agricultural Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2008
Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations*
Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)
Providing for continued funding for the following critical ongoing irrigation and flood control projects funded under the Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations program.
· Upcountry Maui Watershed project provides agricultural water to farmers in the Upper Kula area of Maui, through installation of an agricultural water system that bypasses the County water treatment facility. Water is the most limiting factor affecting agricultural operations in Kula. The rapid population growth Maui has experienced had created serious water supply problems. The Upcountry Maui Watershed project, now undergoing construction, will provide a secure source of agricultural water for farmers in the area.
· Lower Hamakua Ditch Watershed project provides agricultural water to farmers and ranchers along the Hamakua Coast of the island of Hawai‘i, through repair and restoration of the sugar-era Lower Hamakua Ditch being done now. This water supply system is essential for the success of diversified agriculture in the area.
· Wailuku-Alenaio Watershed project has installed improvements to provide flood protection to homes and properties in the upper Kaumana and Ainako areas of Hilo. The NRCS is revising the watershed plan to account for development changes in the area during the past 30 years. A Supplemental Watershed Plan and EIS will be prepared followed by design and construction of the Kaumana Drive floodway.
*Note: Congresswoman Hirono requested report language that would include funding for these important ongoing projects. These three projects in Hawai‘i will receive the necessary funds from a pool of $35 million made available for projects of this sort throughout the U.S.
The total dollar amount for the funded earmarks below is more than $24 million.
Tropical and Subtropical Research (T-Star) $9,548,000
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
For tropical and subtropical research (T-Star) in the Pacific and Caribbean Basin regions, which have unique agricultural challenges and opportunities. The grant reflects collaborative efforts between researchers in the regions including at the University of Hawai‘i to maintain and enhance production of tropical and subtropical agricultural products, while encouraging agricultural practices that are environmentally acceptable. Control of invasive alien species and weeds represent a major challenge to the preservation and sustainability of Pacific Island ecosystems.
Shrimp Farming Consortium – Oceanic Institute $4,158,000
Agricultural Research Service
The Oceanic Institute of Hawai‘i is the lead agency for this collaborative research project to help improve the commercial potential of existing and pending farm start-ups and help guarantee the future of domestic shrimp production.
Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center (PBARC) Staffing $2,402,726
Agricultural Research Service (ARS)
To help ensure collaborative efforts between University of Hawai‘i-Hilo, University of Hawai‘i-Manoa, and USDA-ARS and to provide staffing as the first phase of laboratory construction nears completion.
Native Hawaiian-serving Education Grants $1,609,000
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Services
To enhance the capability of the University of Hawai‘i campuses and partners to support agribusiness formation and incubation. Several of the campus-based programs have been successful in upgrading quality and capacity and are increasing the number of Hawaiian and other underrepresented minorities engaged in agriculture study or careers.
Because Hawai‘i is such an isolated state, the importance of a sustainable, diversified agriculture industry is essential for the survival and health of our economy and for maintaining the rural quality of the Neighbor Islands.
Tropical Aquaculture Feeds Research $1,541,561
Agricultural Research Service
Funding of research in development of aquaculture feeds, especially those that reduce the dependence of the industry on fishmeal support development of cost-effective, sustainable, and environmentally sound aquaculture technologies for tropical marine shrimp and finfish. Programmatic objectives include evaluating the use of tropical agricultural by-products in aquatic feeds; modifying the industry standard feed processing method; and developing defined, commercially viable diets for the U.S. aquaculture industry.
Wildlife Services Office in Hawaii/Brown Tree Snake Control $1,340,000
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service/Pest and Disease Management
To fund the Wildlife Services offices in Hawai‘i and operations in Guam to prevent the introduction of the brown tree snake into our state. The brown tree snake, which has virtually eliminated all of Guam’s native bird species, is the most serious invasive pest threatening Hawaii. Funding also supports efforts to control other species, such as the coqui frog.
Hawaiian Interline Inspections $1,000,000
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
To fund inspections of flights of local air carriers departing from Neighbor Island airports with passengers connecting to larger planes. Those “interline” flights en route to the mainland must be inspected for products that could be hosts for fruit flies or other pests that threaten mainland agriculture.
Agricultural Development and Resource Conservation $891,000
Natural Resource Conservation Service/Conservation Operations
Funds for each of the four Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Councils in Hawaii to develop and implement resource development and conservation programs. RC&D districts offer a proven community-based infrastructure that can tailor efforts to support sustainable development consistent with the unique needs of Hawaii’s varied rural communities.
National Wildlife Services Field Office in Hilo $231,000
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service/Scientific and Technical Services
To assist the National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) Hilo Field Station to develop control practices for rodents and other invasive alien species that cause serious damage to agricultural crops and threats to public health in Hawai‘i.
Agriculture Development in the American Pacific $481,000
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Services
To support sustainable agricultural development in Hawaii and the U.S. territories through research at the University of Hawai‘i and schools in the Pacific islands.
Floriculture in Hawai‘i $348,000
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service Specialty Research Grants
For research to enhance the competitiveness of the floriculture industry in Hawai‘i. The Hawai‘i tropical cut flower and foliage industry, which includes anthurium, orchid, flowering gingers, bird of paradise, heliconia, protea, and cut foliage, is a major component of Hawaii’s agricultural economy. While the industry remains strong, new invasive pest introductions are a constant threat, and increased foreign competition is a challenge.
Papaya Ringspot Virus/Pineapple Nematode Research $283,707
Agricultural Research Service
For research to manage papaya and pineapple pests and diseases, induce nematode resistance, flowering control, and mealy bug wilt in commercial pineapple varieties, and expand techniques and knowledge obtained from this program to creating disease and pest resistance in other tropical crops, including bananas and ornamentals.
Agricultural Diversification (HI)/Tropical Fruit Industry $219,000
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Services
To sustain the commercial viability of diversified crops in Hawai‘i (crops other than sugarcane and pineapple). The focus of the project is to provide scientific and outreach support services that enable Hawai‘i entrepreneurs to increase their revenues or profits from growing and selling tropical specialty fruits from Hawai‘i.
Subterranean Termite Research $139,104
Agricultural Research Service
To continue development of new termite control methods for use in the American Pacific and the acceleration of commercialization of a new, patented method of termite control. Termites are the most economically important insect pests in Hawai‘i. The Formosan subterranean termite is estimated to cause annually greater than $100 million in damage to wooden structures in Hawai‘i.
Hawai‘i Plant Materials Center, Moloka‘i and Kaho‘olawe $107,136
Natural Resources Conservation Service/Conservation Operations
For the Hawai‘i Plant Materials Center, which is located on the island of Moloka‘i, to enable the Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC) to reintroduce native plant species so as to control invasive plants and erosion on the island of Kaho‘olawe. The specific activities funded are in direct response to the devastation of the ecosystem of Kaho‘olawe caused by U.S. military bombing activities that went on for many decades. Kaho‘olawe is a sacred site to Native Hawaiians.
This initiative also enables KIRC, an agency of the State of Hawai‘i, to improve and develop the island’s watershed, protect archeological sites, provide culturally significant plants, and improve the coastal marine habitat through reduced sedimentation. The Center also develops technology to effectively deploy seeds to this remote island.
Requests for Tropical Aquaculture Feeds Research, Brown Tree Snake Control, and Interline Inspections were made jointly by Congresswoman Hirono and Congressman Neil Abercrombie.
The request for the Shrimp Farming Consortium was made jointly by Congresswoman Hirono and Congressmen Raul Grijalva, Richard Neal and Ed Pastor.
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