HI HB2676

Establishes a five-year energy independent farming community pilot project managed by the University of Hawaii's College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources agribusiness incubator program, operating from July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2021.

State-owned project shall lease 2-5 acre farm parcels with clustered off-grid housing units to prospective farmers, with lease rents designed to cover capital costs, maintenance, and management expenses.

Project must achieve energy and water independence using photovoltaic panels, atmospheric water generators, solar water heaters, septic systems, wells, and related technologies.

Appropriates $100,000 for fiscal year 2016-2017 to fund one full-time manager position and $50,000 for planning and infrastructure development of the pilot project.

University of Hawaii must submit interim progress reports in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020, plus a final report by 2021 with recommendations on whether to make the project permanent.