HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0289.002 2024-2026P
Re�. lw-25
UNIVERSITY
UW. 2 9
ar ,_
College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience
of HAWAI I Founding College of the University of Hawai'i
Office of the Dean and Director
.M..ANOA
for Research and Cooperative
Extension
Testimony Presented Before the
County Council
_
CD
County of Hawaii
5:
Committee on Finance
May 20, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
By
` z
Parwinder Grewal, Dean
College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources'=
Res. 180-25 — AUTHORIZES THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH
THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI`I OFFICE OF RESEARCH SERVICES
Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Vice Chair Hustace and Members of the Committee:
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in support of Resolution No.180-25
authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the University of Hawaii Office of
Research Services to provide $14,805 for the College of Tropical Agriculture and
Human Resources (CTAHR) to support the development and implementation of the
Master Food Volunteer (MFV) Program in. Hawaii County.
We support Resolution 180-25 with comments. We respectfully offer the amendment to
correct the name of the college to University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical
Agriculture and Human [Resources] Resilience (CTAHR). The renaming of the college
was approved in October 2024 to better align CTAHR's name to its land-grant mission
of improving the human condition and human use of natural resources through
research, education and Cooperative Extension.The vision of the College of Tropical
Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR) is an educated community, healthy
population, and sustainable food system and environment that strengthens the well-
being and economic development of the people of Hawaii.
In 2022, the agricultural producers of the County were surveyed by the Department of
Research and Development as part of the US EDA Build Back Better Regional
Challenge grant - Phase 1 about their needs to increase and improve their production,
create a robust agricultural economy, divert Hawai`i's food import market to local
producers, and improve knowledge transfer. The MFV program will within one year train
a cohort of 10 certified volunteer food system advocates to expand the reach and
impact of local food promotion through equitable local food education and access.
Outreach includes delivering cooking workshops promoting local food at schools, food
distributions, workplaces and other community sites. CTAHR Cooperative Extension
appreciates the County of Hawai`i's efforts to build capacity for a resilient food system
3050 Maile Way, Gilmore Hall 202 Honolulu, Hawaii 96822
Comm. 9 Phone: (808) 956-8234 )email: etahrdn@hawaii.edu
Ref. To: T19i
www.etahr.hawaii.edu
_
Ref. Date --MAY 2 0 zuzb An Equal Opportunity Institution
Hawaii County Council Res. 180-25
May 20, 2025
Page 02 of 02
that is essential to the health and well-being of its agricultural producers and
consumers.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in support with comments. Marielle
Hampton, Assistant Extension Agent is available to answer questions remotely via
Zoom.