Agriculture

Dozens of food and agriculture bills that could affect farmers, ranchers, consumers and more were set to be heard in conference hearings at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol last week. HPR's Mark Ladao has more.

Dana Shapiro, the president and CEO of the Hawaiʻi ʻUlu Cooperative, said the organization shipped hundreds of pounds of breadfruit to the 60 or so schools for the program a few weeks ago.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture just scrapped millions of dollars for farming, and advocates say it’s a blow to Hawaiʻi agriculture. HPR's Mark Ladao has more.

Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke spoke to HPR about a Hawaiʻi agriculture delegation's recent visit to Washington, D.C., where they discussed Hawaiʻi's significant export barriers as an island state.

Anthony Giancatarino, strategic partner for the nonprofit Taproot Earth, discusses empowering under-served communities in the wake of disaster; Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke meets with USDA officials to discuss Hawaiʻi's agricultural priorities

A pair of measures, namely Senate Bills 763 and 1249, would strengthen penalties, create a dedicated group of state officers, and establish a special fund all to better prevent and punish agricultural crimes like theft and vandalism.

A handful of resolutions going through the state Legislature would urge Hawaiʻi’s congressional delegation to help “address the lack of parity between Hawaiʻi and other states and territories pertaining to the export of agricultural goods.”

Federal freezes and cuts continue to stall millions of dollars meant to support local agriculture, but advocates and professionals continue to make the case for those targeted programs and initiatives. HPR's Mark Ladao has more.

About two dozen local agriculture leaders are meeting with federal officials this week in Washington, D.C., in hopes of strengthening agriculture and biosecurity in Hawaiʻi.

Recent cuts to the U.S. Department of Agriculture will impact some of Hawaiʻi's school lunch programs. The Conversation talked to Dean Uchida, Deputy Superintendent of Operations for the DOE, about how USDA funding cuts may impact Hawaiʻi's school lunch program.