U.S. Reps. Kai Kahele and Ed Case, both D-Hawaii, introduced Thursday a pair of measures to help protect the domestic floriculture, nursery and cacao industries.

House Resolution 7812 would  amend the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to establish a floriculture and nursery plant health initiative. HR 7813 would do the same for the cacao industry.

“Diversifying Hawaiʻi’s economy starts with protecting our existing agricultural commodities and opening the door to new competitive goods,” Kahele said. “Distinctive Hawaiʻi floral and nursery characteristics, in turn, will help our island growers build wealth and command premium prices in markets throughout the United States.

“When it comes to cacao, Hawaiʻi has enormous growth potential as a global source in the industry,” Kahele said. “These bills support a comprehensive federal legislative package which will elevate Hawaiʻi to compete in the world’s agricultural economy.” 

The senators noted that the floriculture and nursery industries generated more than $81 million in revenue on 2,324 acres in 2020 and have created thousands of jobs throughout rural Hawaii.

Hawaii’s emerging cacao industry has expanded to 36,700 trees across 300 acres and generates nearly $1.5 million a year in farm gate revenue.

The bills were lauded by industry representatives.

“We applaud the efforts of Rep. Kahele to help give our industry a much-needed boost,” said Will Lydgate, president of the Hawaiʻi Chocolate & Cacao Association. “The United States is the most exciting new player in the cacao growing and specialty chocolate world. Here in Hawaiʻi, chocolate is serious business.”

Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association President Eric Tanouye said HR 7812 was “vital and timely.”

“Science is essential to our resiliency in this age of climate change,” he said.

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii.