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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0289.000 2018-2020 Harry Kim ;Mtv_os"'+ ,,' Deanna S. Sako Mayor • ' �yj-�;� 'tI Director • . • • Steven A. Hunt Deputy Director County of Hawaii Finance Department 25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2103 • Hilo,Hawai`i 96720 (808)961-8234 • Fax(808)961-8569 r•+a ra- May 2, 2019 : Aaron Chung, Council Chair and Members of the Hawai`i County Council cfj ;a r Hawai`i County Council , ,, .} 25 Aupuni Street Lri Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 Re: Agreement with University of Hawai`i Enclosed is a resolution to enter into an agreement with the University of Hawai`i to provide funding for their"East Hawai`i Cacao Variety Trial"program. The funds will be used to allow the University to conduct a cacao variety trial to determine the varieties that have high yield and are resistant to Black Pod Rot. The Department of Research and Development requests that this resolution be waived from the Finance Committee and be placed on the May 21, 2019 Council agenda, and that the Council waive their five-day hold-for-reconsideration period in order to expedite this transaction. If there are any questions,please do not hesitate to call Lois Nishida, from the Department of Research and Development at 961-8584. Deanna S. Sako Director of Finance Enc. c: R&D (Res. 115-15> Comm. N Ref.To: c�1 n �. Hawaii County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider Ref. Date MAY 0'3 2113 Form#: B-52 7/18/91 DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION DEPARTMENT: Research and Development DATE: April 22, 2019 STAFF CONTACT: Glenn Sako PHONE: 808 961-8811 A. REQUEST: Resolution authorizing County (via R & D) to enter into agreement with the University of Hawaii, to provide funding for its "East Hawaii Cacao Variety Trial" proposal. Request to waive Committee and the 5-day holdover period as the contract deadlines are nearing and possible delays in navigating the contract process with UH. B. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION (USE ADDITIONAL SHEETS AS NEEDED): Pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes §46-7, the County may enter into agreements with "any public body" with the consent of Council. R & D is requesting that Council approve a resolution authorizing R & 0 to enter into an agreement with the University of Hawaii, a public body, for the purposes of funding its program, "East Hawaii Cacao Variety Trial", pursuant to HCC 2-139(3)(c). The University of Hawaii would like to support the development of the Hawaii cacao industry by conducting a cacao variety trial to determine the varieties that have high yield and are resistant to Black Pod Rot. A 2012 survey of Hawaii cacao producers found that Black Pod Rot, Phytophthora palmivora, was the disease the producers were most concerned about. This fungus can reduce yields by 30% and kill 10% of the orchard annually. The cacao industry in East Hawaii is expanding with renewed enthusiasm. Determining the varieties best suited for the local,environment is very important for the development of the industry. This proposal is for$9,900.00 and will allow for the University of Hawaii to evaluate ten cacao selections from Hawaii and the United States Department of Agriculture in Puerto Rico. During orchard establishment, data collected witll be growth characteristics, mortality, pest and disease presence. Funds are from 2018-19 Fiscal Year Budget. 1/.1--- - SIGNED: 1 DATE: 4'1 Yg-i 96(ri De.-rtmdHeadJ V-f90 East Hawaii Cacao Variety Trial Proposal PI Eli Isele and Co-PI Dr. Alyssa Cho Background and Justification The majority of cacao farms in the state are located on the Big Island(65%). Additionally, new plantings are in progress with 50 acres expected as of 2016 (Bittenbender, 2016). Heavy rainfall (135"+/year) and high humidity intensifies the presence of Phytophthora palmivora, the causal agent of Black Pod Rot(BPR). A combination of weather and disease makes cacao production in East Hawaii (Big Island) challenging. BPR causes up to 30% crop loss and can kill up to 10% of trees annually(Acebo Guerrero, 2012). The 2016 Annual Hawaii Cacao Survey showed this disease was of greatest concern by cacao farmers (Bittenbender, 2016). Therefore,this cacao variety trial will investigate Black Pod Rot resistance in addition to other growth and production characteristics. Historical cacao production in Hawaii is from seed and not clonal material. While the cost to plant seedling cacao orchards is inexpensive, pod and nib quality, consistency and profitability are questionable. In Uganda, research found that little more than half(52%) of the producing seedling trees contributed to a majority (96%) of farm yield (Mabey, 1964). Had clones of high producing varieties been used, production could have been doubled. This occurrence may also be happening in Hawaii due to seedling variability. One method of increasing yield, is to plant clonal varieties with known vigor, yield and disease resistance. In a previous cacao study, variety `UH3' known as `Easton' showed resistance to BPR. By undertaking a variety trial based on clonal lines, the project goal will be to establish the trial and then begin to collect sufficient data to back the recommendation of robust, high yielding varieties with BPR resistance. At least several years of data collection will be required and future work will include dissemination of project information and propagative materials of a recommended variety or varieties to clientele. Materials and Methods This research trial will evaluate ten cacao selections, and compliment a current trial (being planted in June 2019, consisting of ten selections with variety ICS95 as a control for both trials.) The selections will consist of 1)two locally selected lines from cacao growers on the windward side of Hawaii Island and 2) eight other selections or varieties to be determined. These eight selections will be sourced from USDA in Puerto Rico and other local growers. Cacao experts Dr. Skip Bittenbender, Colin Hart, and Dan O'Doherty will be consulted to determine the last eight suitable varieties. This project will take place at the Waiakea Research Center(Waiakea) in Hilo. There will be ten replicate trees per selection or variety, planted at a 10' x 10' spacing. Waiakea provides suitable accessibility for field days and future hands-on workshops on orchard establishment,pruning,harvesting, and processing. In addition, establishing the trial at Waiakea will encourage collaboration with the East Hawaii Island Master Gardener program where volunteers will be able to contribute hours towards maintenance and data collection, beyond this initial funding period. This strategy will ensure long term success of the project by having a variety of labor sources. Data Collection During orchard establishment, data will be collected on early tree growth and phenology, vigor, mortality, pest and disease presence. Trees will be replaced if lost due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Future data collection will include yield, BPR presence and impact, other pest and disease incidence, phenology and quality data. East Hawaii Cacao Variety Trial Proposal PI Eli Isele and Co-PI Dr. Alyssa Cho Budget Justification Funding will be used to establish the orchard, for initial data collection and for project outreach. Specific anticipated budget needs include (total $9,900): 1. Planting material ($2000): including, but not limited to the purchase of cacao rootstock, scion materials, and weed mat. 2. Materials and supplies ($2000) including, but not limited to, for data taking, field preparation (small tools, buckets, wheelbarrow, etc.) and maintenance (fertilizer, insect, disease, weed management, etc.), and outreach events (handouts, printing, ink,paper, tables, signs, flagging tape). 3. Student help: ($5000) to assist with establishment,plot maintenance, data collection and coordinating Master Gardener volunteers. 4. Indirect cost recovered by the University of Hawaii at 10% for County funds. Budget Budget item Cost Planting materials Rootstock $1,000 Scion $500 Weed mat $500 Materials and supplies Data taking $300 Field prep and maintenance $900 Outreach events $400 ADSC Diagnostic Services $400 Student help 425 hours x $11.65+fringe $5,000 (0.95%) Direct Cost Total $9,000 Indirect cost recovered by UH Rate of 10% $900 TOTAL $9,900 References Bittenbender H.C. 2016. 2016 Hawaii Cacao Survey. Survey presented at: Hawaii Chocolate and Cacao Association annual meeting. March 13, 2016. Kahului, Maui, Hawaii Mabey, S.E. 1964. The Bud Grafting of Cacao in Uganda. Kitzua Coffee Research Station, Department of Agriculture, Uganda. East Hawaii Cacao Variety Trial Proposal PI Eli Isele and Co-PI Dr. Alyssa Cho Acebo Guerrero Y, Hernandez-Rodriguez A, Heydrich-Perez M, El Jaziri M, Hernandez- Lauzardo A. 2012 Management of Black Pod Rot in cacao (Theobroma cacao L.): a review. Fruits. 67(01):41-48 J�(Y,OF Hq ,, AARON S.Y. CHUNG MAILE MEDEIROS DAVID o°'', ?. .''. KAREN EOFF Chairperson a �,�1��• MATT KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER * )Vt°% / ASHLEY L.KIERKIEWICZ HERBERT M."TIM"RICHARDS,III '=_— SUSAN L.K.LEE LOY Vice Chair N•k•'o� P.._ VALERIE T.POINDEXTER F OF HP REBECCA VILLEGAS HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL County of Hawai`i Hawai`i County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo,Hawai`i 96720 May 3, 2019 Aaron S.Y. Chung, Council Chair Hawai`i County Council 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 RE: Resolution No. 175-19 : A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII Pursuant to Section 2(g) of Rule 4 of the Rules of Procedure of the Council of the County of Hawai`i, this written request is submitted with my approval that the above-referenced matter be waived from the Committee on Finance to the full Council for immediate action. In reviewing this matter, timely approval is crucial. It is therefore advantageous that approval is granted and the matter be placed onto the next Council agenda for review. However, in the event this request is denied, for whatever reason, I understand the matter shall be referred to the Committee on Finance for placement on its future agenda. Sincerely, Maile Davi., hairperson Committee on Finance •pproved/!ate/Waive to Council: Disapproved/Date/Refer a /Refer to FC: 4 Y Aaron S.Y. Chung, Councilfir Aaron S.Y. Chung, Council Chair Hawai`i County Council b/.3119 Hawai`i County Council Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer