The House Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems advanced SB693 SD1 on March 7, sending the measure forward with amendments that change the effective date and ask the committee report to note an appropriation request for continued implementation of the food-hub pilot program.

The committee’s action follows testimony from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union and multiple community organizations supporting continued funding and expansion of food hubs. Dean Matsukawa of the Department of Agriculture said the department “stands on its written testimony in support.” Brian Miyamoto of the Hawaii Farm Bureau asked that the committee report reflect a $1,500,000 request to continue the program.

Supporters told the committee food hubs help small and midsize farmers access new markets and strengthen disaster resilience. Hunter Hevelin of the Hawaii Farmers Union said food hubs “serve as a critical bridge…to ensure that small and midsize farms have access to a diversity of markets.” Angela Melody Young and nonprofit speakers urged the committee to include measures that identify need by community and to integrate food-hub investments with county zoning and commercial kitchen access.

At decision making, the committee adopted a pass-with-amendments recommendation. The amendments set a placeholder effective date (07/01/3000) for drafting purposes and instructed staff to note the appropriation amount in the committee report to aid the Finance Committee’s deliberations. The chair announced the recommendation was adopted; recorded ayes included Chair Kirsten Kahaloa, the acting vice chair and Representatives Lowen and Quinlan. Representatives Kush and Ward were noted absent/excused.

SB693’s text as advanced keeps the food-hub pilot program and authorizes continued implementation; the committee report will explicitly record the $1.5 million request for consideration by the Finance Committee.

The committee did not adopt language assigning the program to a different agency during this action; implementation details and exact appropriation remain subject to later floor action and the Finance Committee’s review.