HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 269 Draft 01 2008-2010
COUNTY OF HAWAI'I
STATE OF HAWAI'I
RESOLUTION NO.
269 09
A RESOLUTION URGING ADOPTION OF MEASURES TO ENHANCE THE
DEVELOPMENT OF AN EFFECTIVE AGRICULTURAL POLICY FOR THE
COUNTY OF HAW API BY MEANS OF A FOOD POLICY COUNCIL.
WHEREAS, the Hawai'i County Council is responsible for the promulgation of
reg~latory actions regarding the development and enforcement of agricultural policies for
Hawai'i Island; and
WHEREAS, the State of Hawai'i has identified food security and food self-sufficiency
as priorities in the Hawai'i 2050 Report; and
WHEREAS, our future food supply will depend on educated policy-making at County
level to include an emphasis on smaller, more diversified family farms; and
WHEREAS, the Hawai'i County Council recognizes its responsibility to be more pro-
active in this critical policy arena, particularly in light of the recent threat by the State
Department of Agriculture to reduce the number of agricultural inspectors servicing farmers and
residents of this County; and
WHEREAS, the County of Hawai'i must preserve and protect the natural ecosystems
(watershed, dry forest, stream management, water resources, coastal lands, and reefs) of the
Island to insure the viability of agricultural systems into the future; and
WHEREAS, the County of Hawai'i must protect the health, safety and general welfare
of all County residents; and
WHEREAS, though the County Council recognizes the need for an Agricultural Plan,
currently underway, a Food Policy Council is also needed; and
WHEREAS, similarly to energy policy, this Food Policy Council would respond to the
urgent need for community experts in food policy and agricultural know-how to provide the
County with key insights and recommendations regarding future County or State agricultural
legislation; and
WHEREAS, this Food Policy Council can provide State representatives with a clear and
concise direction the County wishes to pursue in terms of agricultural policy measures; now,
therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAW AI'I that it
hereby urges the Mayor to prioritize administrative efforts to prepare and adopt an effective
County Agricultural Plan with emphasis on food sustainability, include programs designed to
promote local community food production and distribution facilities, the expansion of the
County's Senior Nutrition Program, effective incentives to increase the amount of farm land in
current production, and the use of food stamps at all farmers markets.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF
HAW AI'I that a Food Policy Council be created to act as a focal point for agricultural and food
related issues in the County.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF
HA W AI'I that the County Clerk shall forward copies ofthis resolution be sent to the members
of the Hawai' i State Legislature; the members of County Council of Kaua' i, Maui, and the City
and County of Honolulu; and the Honorable William P. Kenoi, Mayor, County of Hawai'i; the
Honorable Bernard P. Carvalho, Jr., Mayor, County of Kaua'i; the Honorable Charmaine
Tavares, Mayor, County of Maui; and the Honorable Mufi Hannemann, Mayor, City and County
of Honolulu.
Dated at
, Hawai' i, this
day of
,2009.
INTRODUCED BY:
COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawai'i
Hilo, Hawai'i
AYES NOES ABS EX
ENRIQUES
FORD
GREENWELL
HOFFMANN
IKEDA
NAEOLE
ONISHI
YAGONG
YOSHIMOTO
ROLL CALL VOTE
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the
County ofHawai'i on
ATTEST:
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON & PRESIDING OFFICER
Reference: C-608/FESC-
RESOLUTION NO. 269 09
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