New farm certification law in limbo over funding

Although House Bill 1471 became law last week when the Legislature overrode the governor's veto, the release of $140,000 from the tourism special fund remains uncertain. The funds – should they materialize -- would go toward University of Hawaii programs that help farmers make changes necessary to pass an audit for certification.

The law establishes a pilot program within the state Department of Agriculture encouraging farmers to form cooperatives; coordinate purchasing agreements with hotels, restaurants and others buyers in the hospitality industries; and develop safe food certification. Only 41 farms are food-safety certified this year. That’s a big jump from two in 2004 but the total number of farms in the state – 7,500 – dwarfs it.

What is at issue is whether tourism funds should be used to help Hawaii's farmers. The Hawaii Tourism Authority and Gov. Linda Lingle must approve release of the funds, which is unlikely.

Lingle vetoed the measure, saying it would divert state tourism funds for a program already adopted by some Hawaii farmers voluntarily and Mike McCartney, chief executive of the HTA, says although he supports the intent of the bill, it is contingent on the Agriculture Department releasing funds as well. With tourism suffering, HTA has earmarked 86 percent of its funds to marketing.

"This is a great program," said McCartney. "It's just the timing of it, and the availability of funds will probably not make it possible because of other priorities. We'll take a look at it in the future."

Dean Okimoto, president of the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, disagreed.

"We are partners with tourism," said Okimoto. "I believe agriculture should be at the table with tourism. We depend on tourism as much as any other industry. Without tourists eating our food, we don't have a market, either."