HI HB1279

Appropriates funds for fiscal year 2017-2018 to the University of Hawaii West Oahu's Community Food Systems Center to expand sustainable agricultural food production education.

Establishes scholarships for students enrolling in the community food systems concentration program at the University of Hawaii West Oahu.

Creates job positions including a full-time garden manager and part-time student assistants for the student organic garden at the university.

Directs the University of Hawaii West Oahu to conduct and submit a feasibility study to the legislature before creating a two-hundred-acre Hawaiian Center for Sustainable Community Food Systems for education, training, outreach, food processing, and research.

Authorizes the program director to implement research projects, host conferences, and employ additional staff and faculty as deemed necessary to support food security and self-sufficiency goals.