The Honolulu City Council is considering a resolution to revive the Agricultural Development Task Force, which ended in 2019. Sponsored by Council members Esther Kia‘aina and Andria Tupola, Resolution 243 aims to support and enhance agricultural activities on Oahu. The task force would include members with expertise in traditional Native Hawaiian agricultural practices and food systems. The resolution also focuses on securing grant funding and incentives for local farmers to bolster agricultural production. The task force would address issues such as zoning, land use, infrastructure, taxes, and food security. Kia‘aina emphasizes the importance of data gathering and analysis to support grant applications and show the impact of agriculture on the local economy. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that Hawaii has 6,569 farms spread across 1.05 million acres, with 1,002 farms on Oahu alone. Additionally, Kia‘aina highlights a previous $3 million agricultural grant program that supported farmers but was later redirected for hazard pay. The new resolution seeks to continue the task force’s work in providing policy recommendations and support for the agricultural community. The Council’s Planning and Economy Committee will discuss Resolution 243 at an upcoming meeting.
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