The House Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems on March 14 deferred SB 1582, which would recognize the coconut palm as the state’s official sustainable staple food source, for further drafting and funding language. Chair Kirsten Kahalua said the committee wanted to add funding to the agroforestry program and the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to help protect culturally significant coconut trees.

Rob Hoff of DLNR testified that the department supports the bill. He described a USDA-funded project within DLNR to document and genetically preserve historically and culturally significant coconut groves; the project is administered through the urban and community forestry program and funded through an IRA program. Brian Miyamoto of the Hawaii Farm Bureau said, “However, coconut rhinoceros beetle will impact our ability to recognize this as a food source,” and requested a friendly amendment to include an allocation for control and replacement efforts.

Committee members agreed to defer the measure to Wednesday, March 19, to strengthen statutory language and funding provisions. Members noted the need to protect ancient and culturally significant trees, to consider replacement programs for infested trees, and to place the statutory language in the proper location in state law.