HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 057 2017/11/01 (2016-2018) •
REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
DATE: November 1, 2017 Re: Comm. No. 552/Res. No. 375-17
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawai`i
TIME: 11:12 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council •
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Resolution No. 375-17, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 375-17, transmitted by Finance Director Deanna Sako, via Communication
No. 552 dated October 16, 2017, authorizes the Office of the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the
Office of Research Services, University of Hawai`i.
This resolutionP rovides $7,999.20 from the Department of Research and Development to the Office of
Research Services, University of Hawai`i, to fund its "Improving Sustainability of Sweet Potato through
Virus-tested,Tissue-culture Technology" proposal. Funds would be used to conduct farm trials
comparing yields of sweet potatoes grown from a commercial source of cuttings with those of virus-
tested, tissue-cultured planning materials, and graft plant material to multiply existing sweet potato
viruses to reach detection levels.
Glenn Sako, Agriculture Specialist, Department of Research and Development, explained that the bulk
of the sweet potato industry is produced on the Hamakua Coast on the Big Island. He noted that the
yield of the sweet potato, particularly the Okinawan variety, is reduced due to the presence of a virus
which has not yet been identified, and further indicated that research was conducted on Maui, and now
the university wants to do trials on the Big Island, at the primary production sites, to prove the results
and then pass the information and technology on to the farmers.
Council Member Richards questioned about the percentage of sweet potatoes grown on the Big Island,
and Mr. Sako responded there are approximately 1,100 acres produced in the State but it is not known
how much of that total is produced on the Big Island.
Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution No. 375-17, and
recommends its adoption.
dm
AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
CHUNG X
DAVIDX COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
•
EOFF X _ •
KANUHA X �
LEE LOY X4 le 14 1
O'HARA X "
POINDEXTER X MAILE DA A;CHAIR
RICHARDS X FC REPORT NO.: 57
RUGGLES X ADOPTED: NOV 1 5 2017