Bill > HB500

This bill seeks to establish a permanent Educational Support Associate position within the University of Hawaii's College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) Kona Cooperative Extension program. The legislation highlights the critical need for additional support for the state's coffee industry, which is Hawaii's most valuable agricultural commodity, valued at approximately $48.2 million in the 2023-2024 season. Currently, the coffee industry is served by only one extension agent, and the existing educational support associate position is entirely grant-funded, which limits its scope and flexibility. The bill appropriates $76,570 for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to create a full-time (1.0 FTE) permanent position that will provide administrative, professional, and technical support to the cooperative extension program and Kona research station. This position will help address challenges faced by local farmers, support research on critical issues like coffee berry borer and coffee leaf rust, enable more comprehensive statewide outreach, and reduce the reliance on grant funding that currently constrains the program's ability to support various agricultural industries. The bill is designed to take effect on July 1, 2025, and aims to strengthen agricultural research, education, and support in Hawaii.

Education

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=500&year=2026