Senate committee passes bill to fund controlled-environment agriculture facility at Magoon

Senators on the joint Senate Committee on Higher Education and Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment voted to pass Senate Bill 1158 with amendments, advancing a measure that authorizes issuance of general-obligation bonds and appropriations for a controlled-environment agriculture research and demonstration facility at the Magoon Research and Teaching Site in Manoa.

The bill would fund a research-and-extension facility intended to operate as both a demonstration site and year-round production environment for crops such as lettuces that perform better indoors, proponents said. "Controlled environment agriculture is a critical, critical need for Hawaii to build its food resilience," Harwinder Renal Bridal testified for the University of Hawaii in support.

The university said the facility would replace a condemned building at the Magoon site, create student workforce opportunities and support a nascent industry in Hawaii. Testifiers including representatives of the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Maui County, Metro Grow Hawaii and the Hawaii Floral Culture and Nursery Association also voiced support, citing local production, job creation and reduced transport needs.

Senators asked the university about budget prioritization and whether the project was included in the university's internal budget. The dean testified that the Magoon project is a legislative initiative and was not included in the university budget request. The dean said CTAHR considers the project a high priority and is exploring private partnerships to operate the facility at commercial scale while supporting student training.

The chairs' amendment recognized a university name change and set an administrative date for the measure; the committee record shows the chair recommended defecting the measure to July 31, 2050 and the chair's recommendation was adopted. The vote was recorded in committee: the chair voted aye; Senator Fupunaga recorded aye; the vice chair and some members were excused. The transcript records the committee adopting the recommendation to pass SB1158 with amendments.

The university estimated the Magoon production space would be about 3,000 to 5,000 square feet and requested $6,000,000 to fund demolition of the condemned structure, construction of the new facility and equipment for vertical hydroponic production. The dean estimated about two years to complete development and said the project would rely on energy-efficient coverings and hydroponic systems that use less water and land than outdoor production.

The committee did not adopt any separate funding directions beyond the amendments noted. With the committee action complete, the bill proceeds in the legislative process with the amendments recorded in committee minutes.