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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON FOOD AND ENERGY SUSTAINABILITY <br /> <br /> <br /> DATE: November 17, 2009 Re: Comm. No. 608/Res.269-09 <br /> PLACE: Ben Franklin Building, 2" d Floor <br /> 333 Kilauea Avenue <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> TIME: 10:30 am <br /> <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> <br /> Your Committee on Food and Energy Sustainability, to which was referred Communication <br /> No. 608, regarding Resolution 269-09, reports as follows: <br /> <br /> Resolution 269-09, transmitted by Council Member Pete Hoffmann, via Communication No. 608 <br /> dated November 2, 2009 urging the adoption of measures to enhance the development of an <br /> effective agricultural policy for the County of Hawaii by means of a Food Policy Council. <br /> Furthermore, the Food Policy Council will allow resident volunteers to participate in the <br /> development and implementation of the County of Hawaii Agricultural Plan which is still <br /> underway. <br /> <br /> There was testimony in support of this proposed resolution. <br /> <br /> Mr. Hoffmann commented on this proposed legislation as being the third in a series for food <br /> sustainability in which two have already been brought before the County Council. Adding that <br /> agriculture is a critical issue the County Administration needs to deal with in the same manner as <br /> they did with energy. He commended the current Administration for taking a pro-active view <br /> regarding the need to do something more than previous administrations regarding agriculture and <br /> added that this measure is necessary to move this County towards food sustainability. The <br /> adoption of this proposed resolution will create a Food Policy Council providing the County <br /> insight and recommendations in terms of an agricultural policy for future legislation from the <br /> County or State. Furthermore, modeling after the Energy Commission, the volunteers' <br /> experiences and resources will be invaluable to the Food Policy Council. Mr. Hoffmann did not <br /> provide detail in his proposed resolution, to allow Administration the opportunity and option to <br /> express how they would like the "Food Policy Council" organized. He seeks the support of his <br /> colleagues on this proposed resolution. <br /> Several Council Members' concerns included: 1) the need for flexibility to work with various <br /> agricultural based groups so there isn't any competition for leadership; 2) inclusion of <br /> specialized farmers such as poultry etc.; 3) need for agricultural training at the various facilities; <br /> 4) inclusion of tourism; 5) improved financial commitment and budget for the Research and <br /> Development Department to support agricultural policies in Hawaii County; 6) flow of <br /> information and discussion on the Food Policy Council and whether they will be limited to <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Report No. 3 <br />