39. Support Sustainable Food Production for Hawai`i

WHEREAS the people of Hawai`i are dependent on imports of food – an estimated range being between 65% & 85% of all food consumed coming from out of state; and

WHEREAS the presence of tourists in Hawai`i, which averages close to 160,000 per day (2001), increases the need for sustainable local food production should an event cause visitors to be stranded here for a indeterminate period of time; and

WHEREAS Hawai`i’s geographic isolation makes it especially important to move toward greater self-sufficiency in food production; and

WHEREAS Hawai`i’s climate allows for several growing seasons and multiple cropping cycles, and has nearly every climatic zone making possible cultivation of a wide variety of foods; and

WHEREAS with increased number of diverse, sustainable, and organic cropping systems, many new jobs will be created for the planning, development, production, and maintenance of food processing and delivery (in fact, for all farm-related activity), and

WHEREAS prime agricultural land is identified and available to provide for the basic nutritional needs of Hawai`i’s people, the amount needed being only one half acre per person for a complete diet; and

WHEREAS overseas shipping costs are only going to rise owing to increasing fuel prices based on falling reserves; and

WHEREAS Hawai`i, being a military stronghold of the United States, is potentially subject to terrorist attack, as well other man-made and natural disasters in these uncertain times, all which can greatly effect the arrival of food shipments for an indeterminate period of time; and

WHEREAS the aquifer and aquatic food sources are therefore best protected through organic and sustainable land care practices; now

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 2004 Maui Democratic Convention asks the Maui County, the Hawai`i State, and the US federal government, to support, – through County, State, and Federal legislation and funding for enforcement, – Hawai`i’s reaching self-sustainability in food production by meeting no less than 50% of all its nutritional requirements by the year 2008; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that organic land care practices be encouraged through farm grants and tax incentives; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a necessary percentage of agricultural lands be designated for sustainable-only (as opposed to export-oriented) food production.