Committee approves Kuleana Ag Tech Pathways to build school‑to‑career ag pipelines
Summary
SB 2320 was advanced with technical amendments to create the Kuleana Ag Tech Pathways pilot linking University of Hawaii programs with DOE for ag‑tech skills and internships; educators and advocates highlighted internships, GIS and climate‑smart farming components.
The committee voted to advance SB 2320, which would establish the Kuleana Ag Tech Pathways pilot to build career pipelines in agriculture and agricultural technology. The bill requires University of Hawaii collaboration with the Department of Education to expand ag and biosecurity training, agribusiness internships, and regional ag‑tech hubs tailored to county needs.
Carlin McFadden, who testified she authored the proposal, described the bill’s goal to bring high‑demand skills—GIS, drone technology, climate‑smart farming and agricultural data—into high school programs and to create internships and dual‑credit pathways connecting students to farms and local businesses. Parvin Al, a dean at UH, and other educators said portions of this work already exist but that the bill would scale and formalize the pathways.
The committee recommended a Senate draft with technical and non‑substantive edits, blanked the appropriation line, deferred the operative date to July 1, 2050, and advanced the measure.
What happens next: The bill moves forward for drafting of the senate draft and inclusion of appropriation requests in the committee report as needed.
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