Strong Support for Bill 105
Good afternoon, Chair Sinenci, Vice Chair Johnson, and APT Committee Members,
My Name is William Jacintho. I’ve been involved in almost every aspect of Agriculture all of my life from a young age working on neighboring farms, Maui Pine (5 Summers), UH Maui College for 35 years in the Ag Careers Program, Community involvement, Maui Cattlemen’s Association President, and owning and managing our Ranch and Nursery.
I am in strong support of the proposed legislation, and I am urging the County Council to support Bill 105 to establish policies related to the Department of Agriculture. I support the bill because we need the roles and responsibilities of the Department to be clearly defined in order for it to be successful and work for our community.
I have included a back history at the end of my Testimony, as well as links and attachments to the work many of us in the Ag industry have been working on to move Agriculture forward, from meetings dated back to 2008. I'm basing some of my testimony on this, especially the meeting on June 7, 2012 at the Maui Beach Hotel. Ten years ago.....many farmers met, and I must say, all of the concerns that were brought up and discussed that day, are in Bill 105. I had a WOW moment..... We're finally moving forward with what over a hundred farmers in attendance that day needed, and wanted for survival back then. Thanks to the Industries collaborative efforts and Community support Agriculture should have, we are moving forward.
I do want to make a point that I think would be good to consider moving Section E-4 on page 3, from the middle of the Bill to the first page, and the first statement: “Working as a community liaison and advocate for farmers and the agricultural sector.” It’s up to the Council Committee, but I do feel it’s important to make that point that the position of the New Department is to focus on being a liaison and advocating for the Ag Industry.
I've sent this to many people over the years, and there has been no serious takers in Government to try to address or solve these issues. I have to admit, that some have tried, but it is overwhelming, and realistically, everyone has to make a living and feed their family than get bogged down with all that ag needs to succeed.
Here goes........
Don't mean to overwhelm you, but I have a bunch of stuff we have been working on for years, along with other Ag Commodities, from the Maui Cattlemen's Association side. You might find the Maui Agricultural Design Conference in Huelo interesting, and compare it with the Ag Work Skills Panel discussion.
There have been four major meetings "about fixing Ag", and some call it the "Ag Wheel". These Issues do not take off and move forward, because there hasn't been someone who will commit to the Agriculture Industry, and see that they are addressed and dealt with.
Background:
On Monday, August 4th, 2008, Amber Starr and I participated in a meeting with Mayor Tavares that addressed all Ag commodities issues and concerns. The Maui County Farm Bureau took the lead, and organized categories of concern, and the organizational part didn't move forward. The Maui Cattlemen's Association formed these same committees within our Association, so we would line up with the Farm Bureau. The Farm Bureau leadership has not been active in addressing all of these issues brought forward, but MCA has been moving forward, working along with other Ag Commodities, and still need support in all areas. See attached notes from the meeting.
On Saturday, April 4th, 2009, Sol Ko'ohalahala had a round table discussion at the Cameron Center, as a continuation of the August 4th 2008 meeting, in addressing the concerns, and to connect farmers to restaurants and freight carriers. It was a great discussion, but it too, didn't move forward from there. (No notes, other than it tried connecting farmers with buyers present at the meeting, but didn't address the hurdles involved in Ag production.)
On July 28-August 1, 2010 there was a Maui Agricultural Design Conference in Huelo. Lots of discussion and planning for the future of ag was discussed. Not sure where this is now, but the feed back I've gotten from some attendees, was that the action of it too, is floating somewhere. (here is the link to the work they did, but it might not be working anymore, as some people have tried the link, and it hasn’t connected)
http://h-cx.com/Hawaii_Local_Exchange/Maui_Ag_Design_Conference_files/Maui%20Ag%20Design%20Conf%20-%20Preliminary%20Report.pdf
On June 7, 2012, Over 100 Ag people (mostly farmers, including Molokai were there, maybe you did too) attended a full day Agriculture Work Skills Panel discussion at the Maui Beach Hotel. This was to determine the work skills needed to strengthen Agriculture. In addition to work skills in Ag, many unrelated needs for Ag's success were brought up titled "the Parking Lot", where we would go back to it and bring them forward to the appropriate people, since it was a work skills workshop from dept of Labor. The notes from the day are in, and we are still again, waiting for the next move. These notes and results are available at,
http://labor.hawaii.gov/wdc/files/2013/06/AgSkillPanelReport_web.pdf
2012. When Don Guzman was elected to Council, he became Chair of the Ag committee. It was great, because Don had already worked with the farm and ranch community, during the response to the 2011, BF 70 proposed Homesite bill. Seeing the many concerns the Agriculture Community had, Don wanted a group of Independent Agriculture Producers to work with, on the issues/hurdles that are keeping Diversified Ag from being successful. As a result, Producers who were active in the BF 70 issue organized themselves, and began working on the issues Don brought forward. It seems we have made some headway, by being able to present facts and experiences to the full Council.
Local Ag is very broken, and needs lots of help for it to survive. If it doesn't survive, our Programs in the High Schools and at the college does not survive either. Students go through the Ag program, jump into their boots, and face the hurdles head on. They become disappointed.....struggle....and get out of it, and work for industry where educated Ag Skills are in very high demand.
We've had various Chairs from the State Dept. of Ag, but they haven't stayed on long enough to tackle this huge job. We've also had many County Council Ag Chairs, but they've not been able to take this huge challenge on, nor stayed on very long. If the goal is to have more sustainable food grown here in the years ahead, Leadership really has to help take ownership of Diversified Agriculture, and care about where it is going. We don't believe in leaving the little guys behind. These are the ones that are going to grow the food.
Thank you,
William G. Jacintho
I am in strong support of the proposed legislation and I am urging the County Council to support Bill 105 to establish policies related to the Department of Agriculture. I support the bill because we need the roles and responsibilities of the Department to be clearly defined in order for it to be successful and work for our community.
This legislation was created in collaboration with the community impact working group, who worked very hard to create a framework based on the needs of the community and the agricultural sector. Through outreach and various surveys these areas of need and reporting requirements were drafted and I support this legislation because it is what we need from the Department to create a more sustainable and self-sufficient food system that befits residents, the economy and our delicate island ecosystems.
The points in this legislation had much community feedback before they were solidified and will help guide the Department through different transitions in leadership that the DoA will face over the course of the years. The reporting requirements will help with the huge need for comprehensive data collection and will allow the Department to track its successes, evaluate the ever changing needs of the ag sector and also help everyday stakeholders and policy makers, such as yourselves, make more informed decisions. The policies we are asking to be outlined are also very thorough and comprehensive, and as a community we feel that the Department will benefit from this guidance and it will allow it to make the biggest positive impact possible.
This legislation is also in alignment with the strategic plan that has been submitted to the administration and council and the prior legislation that has been approved for the Department. I thank you for all the support the Council has shown for the Department of Agriculture to date, and urge you all to continue that support and approve this bill.
I am in strong support of the proposed legislation and I am urging the County Council to support Bill 105 to establish policies related to the Department of Agriculture. I support the bill because we need the roles and responsibilities of the Department to be clearly defined in order for it to be successful and work for our community.
This legislation was created in collaboration with the community impact working group, who worked very hard to create a framework based on the needs of the community and the agricultural sector. Through outreach and various surveys these areas of need and reporting requirements were drafted and I support this legislation because it is what we need from the Department to create a more sustainable and self-sufficient food system that befits residents, the economy and our delicate island ecosystems.
The points in this legislation had lots of community feedback before they were solidified and will help guide the Department through different transitions in leadership that the Department will face over the course of the years. The reporting requirements will help with the huge need for comprehensive data collection and will allow the Department to track its successes, evaluate the ever changing needs of the Ag sector and also help everyday stakeholders and policy makers, such as yourselves, make more informed decisions. The policies we are asking to be outlined are also very thorough and comprehensive, and as a community we feel that the Department will benefit from this guidance and it will allow it to make the biggest positive impact possible.
This legislation is also in alignment with the strategic plan that has been submitted to the administration and council and the prior legislation that has been approved for the Department. I thank you for all the support the Council has shown for the Department of Agriculture to date, and urge you all to continue that support and approve this bill.
Mahalo,
Strong Support for Bill 105
Good afternoon, Chair Sinenci, Vice Chair Johnson, and APT Committee Members,
My Name is William Jacintho. I’ve been involved in almost every aspect of Agriculture all of my life from a young age working on neighboring farms, Maui Pine (5 Summers), UH Maui College for 35 years in the Ag Careers Program, Community involvement, Maui Cattlemen’s Association President, and owning and managing our Ranch and Nursery.
I am in strong support of the proposed legislation, and I am urging the County Council to support Bill 105 to establish policies related to the Department of Agriculture. I support the bill because we need the roles and responsibilities of the Department to be clearly defined in order for it to be successful and work for our community.
I have included a back history at the end of my Testimony, as well as links and attachments to the work many of us in the Ag industry have been working on to move Agriculture forward, from meetings dated back to 2008. I'm basing some of my testimony on this, especially the meeting on June 7, 2012 at the Maui Beach Hotel. Ten years ago.....many farmers met, and I must say, all of the concerns that were brought up and discussed that day, are in Bill 105. I had a WOW moment..... We're finally moving forward with what over a hundred farmers in attendance that day needed, and wanted for survival back then. Thanks to the Industries collaborative efforts and Community support Agriculture should have, we are moving forward.
I do want to make a point that I think would be good to consider moving Section E-4 on page 3, from the middle of the Bill to the first page, and the first statement: “Working as a community liaison and advocate for farmers and the agricultural sector.” It’s up to the Council Committee, but I do feel it’s important to make that point that the position of the New Department is to focus on being a liaison and advocating for the Ag Industry.
I've sent this to many people over the years, and there has been no serious takers in Government to try to address or solve these issues. I have to admit, that some have tried, but it is overwhelming, and realistically, everyone has to make a living and feed their family than get bogged down with all that ag needs to succeed.
Here goes........
Don't mean to overwhelm you, but I have a bunch of stuff we have been working on for years, along with other Ag Commodities, from the Maui Cattlemen's Association side. You might find the Maui Agricultural Design Conference in Huelo interesting, and compare it with the Ag Work Skills Panel discussion.
There have been four major meetings "about fixing Ag", and some call it the "Ag Wheel". These Issues do not take off and move forward, because there hasn't been someone who will commit to the Agriculture Industry, and see that they are addressed and dealt with.
Background:
On Monday, August 4th, 2008, Amber Starr and I participated in a meeting with Mayor Tavares that addressed all Ag commodities issues and concerns. The Maui County Farm Bureau took the lead, and organized categories of concern, and the organizational part didn't move forward. The Maui Cattlemen's Association formed these same committees within our Association, so we would line up with the Farm Bureau. The Farm Bureau leadership has not been active in addressing all of these issues brought forward, but MCA has been moving forward, working along with other Ag Commodities, and still need support in all areas. See attached notes from the meeting.
On Saturday, April 4th, 2009, Sol Ko'ohalahala had a round table discussion at the Cameron Center, as a continuation of the August 4th 2008 meeting, in addressing the concerns, and to connect farmers to restaurants and freight carriers. It was a great discussion, but it too, didn't move forward from there. (No notes, other than it tried connecting farmers with buyers present at the meeting, but didn't address the hurdles involved in Ag production.)
On July 28-August 1, 2010 there was a Maui Agricultural Design Conference in Huelo. Lots of discussion and planning for the future of ag was discussed. Not sure where this is now, but the feed back I've gotten from some attendees, was that the action of it too, is floating somewhere. (here is the link to the work they did, but it might not be working anymore, as some people have tried the link, and it hasn’t connected)
http://h-cx.com/Hawaii_Local_Exchange/Maui_Ag_Design_Conference_files/Maui%20Ag%20Design%20Conf%20-%20Preliminary%20Report.pdf
On June 7, 2012, Over 100 Ag people (mostly farmers, including Molokai were there, maybe you did too) attended a full day Agriculture Work Skills Panel discussion at the Maui Beach Hotel. This was to determine the work skills needed to strengthen Agriculture. In addition to work skills in Ag, many unrelated needs for Ag's success were brought up titled "the Parking Lot", where we would go back to it and bring them forward to the appropriate people, since it was a work skills workshop from dept of Labor. The notes from the day are in, and we are still again, waiting for the next move. These notes and results are available at,
http://labor.hawaii.gov/wdc/files/2013/06/AgSkillPanelReport_web.pdf
2012. When Don Guzman was elected to Council, he became Chair of the Ag committee. It was great, because Don had already worked with the farm and ranch community, during the response to the 2011, BF 70 proposed Homesite bill. Seeing the many concerns the Agriculture Community had, Don wanted a group of Independent Agriculture Producers to work with, on the issues/hurdles that are keeping Diversified Ag from being successful. As a result, Producers who were active in the BF 70 issue organized themselves, and began working on the issues Don brought forward. It seems we have made some headway, by being able to present facts and experiences to the full Council.
Local Ag is very broken, and needs lots of help for it to survive. If it doesn't survive, our Programs in the High Schools and at the college does not survive either. Students go through the Ag program, jump into their boots, and face the hurdles head on. They become disappointed.....struggle....and get out of it, and work for industry where educated Ag Skills are in very high demand.
We've had various Chairs from the State Dept. of Ag, but they haven't stayed on long enough to tackle this huge job. We've also had many County Council Ag Chairs, but they've not been able to take this huge challenge on, nor stayed on very long. If the goal is to have more sustainable food grown here in the years ahead, Leadership really has to help take ownership of Diversified Agriculture, and care about where it is going. We don't believe in leaving the little guys behind. These are the ones that are going to grow the food.
Thank you,
William G. Jacintho
I am in strong support of the proposed legislation and I am urging the County Council to support Bill 105 to establish policies related to the Department of Agriculture. I support the bill because we need the roles and responsibilities of the Department to be clearly defined in order for it to be successful and work for our community.
This legislation was created in collaboration with the community impact working group, who worked very hard to create a framework based on the needs of the community and the agricultural sector. Through outreach and various surveys these areas of need and reporting requirements were drafted and I support this legislation because it is what we need from the Department to create a more sustainable and self-sufficient food system that befits residents, the economy and our delicate island ecosystems.
The points in this legislation had much community feedback before they were solidified and will help guide the Department through different transitions in leadership that the DoA will face over the course of the years. The reporting requirements will help with the huge need for comprehensive data collection and will allow the Department to track its successes, evaluate the ever changing needs of the ag sector and also help everyday stakeholders and policy makers, such as yourselves, make more informed decisions. The policies we are asking to be outlined are also very thorough and comprehensive, and as a community we feel that the Department will benefit from this guidance and it will allow it to make the biggest positive impact possible.
This legislation is also in alignment with the strategic plan that has been submitted to the administration and council and the prior legislation that has been approved for the Department. I thank you for all the support the Council has shown for the Department of Agriculture to date, and urge you all to continue that support and approve this bill.
Mahalo nui,
Lauren Nelson
Makawao, HI
I am in strong support of the proposed legislation and I am urging the County Council to support Bill 105 to establish policies related to the Department of Agriculture. I support the bill because we need the roles and responsibilities of the Department to be clearly defined in order for it to be successful and work for our community.
This legislation was created in collaboration with the community impact working group, who worked very hard to create a framework based on the needs of the community and the agricultural sector. Through outreach and various surveys these areas of need and reporting requirements were drafted and I support this legislation because it is what we need from the Department to create a more sustainable and self-sufficient food system that befits residents, the economy and our delicate island ecosystems.
The points in this legislation had lots of community feedback before they were solidified and will help guide the Department through different transitions in leadership that the Department will face over the course of the years. The reporting requirements will help with the huge need for comprehensive data collection and will allow the Department to track its successes, evaluate the ever changing needs of the Ag sector and also help everyday stakeholders and policy makers, such as yourselves, make more informed decisions. The policies we are asking to be outlined are also very thorough and comprehensive, and as a community we feel that the Department will benefit from this guidance and it will allow it to make the biggest positive impact possible.
This legislation is also in alignment with the strategic plan that has been submitted to the administration and council and the prior legislation that has been approved for the Department. I thank you for all the support the Council has shown for the Department of Agriculture to date, and urge you all to continue that support and approve this bill.
Mahalo,
Theresa Thompson
Thompson Ranch
Kula