(a) The office may seek available federal, state, county, or private funding to restore taro and lo`i cultivation. The office shall cooperate with other public and private agencies, as appropriate, in applying for funds pursuant to this section.
(b) The office may use and distribute funds received pursuant to subsection (a) for projects that use taro for:
(1) Flood control;
(2) Wetland restoration and preservation;
(3) Food security;
(4) Community economic development;
(5) Job creation;
(6) Education; and
(7) Water-quality protection.