Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> Stephen K. Yamashiro ~ Diane S. Quitiquit <br /> '~°9or D~mctor <br /> ~i~ <br /> 'i ei'we <br /> ~uunfg II~ ~~futtii <br /> DEPARTMENT OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT <br /> 25 Aupuni Street, Room 219 • Hilo, Hawau 967201252 • (808) 961-6366 • Fax (808) 9351205 <br /> KONA: (80,8) 329-5226 • Fax (508) 3265663 <br /> March 24, 1997 <br /> The Honorable Aaron Chung, Chair <br /> and Members of the Finance Committee <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> 25 Aupuni Street <br /> Hilo, HI 96720 <br /> Dear Finance Chair and Members: <br /> I hereby respectfully present for your review and consideration <br /> the Department of Research and Development's proposed operating <br /> budget in the amount of $1,171,294 for Fiscal Year (FY) 1997/98. <br /> The total budget amount reflects a decrease of $95,656 as <br /> compared to the previous year. This decrease can be explained <br /> by noting that in FY 96/97 the County Council appropriated <br /> additional funds to the Department of Research and Development <br /> for Miconia & Alien Pests in the amount of $100,000. That <br /> appropriation was considered a one-time expense and was not <br /> budgeted in future years. <br /> The total R&D budget amount represents .6'a of the County's <br /> overall operating budget request for the upcoming fiscal year. <br /> With this modest sum, we continue to make a significant impact <br /> in spurring economic development in our major program areas. <br /> This is accomplished with minimal manpower and an ability to <br /> partner with representative organizations in the fields of <br /> agriculture, tourism, economic development and energy <br /> island-wide. <br /> DIVERSIFIED AGRICULTURE has increased in importance as sugar has <br /> disappeared. Since this type of agriculture is more labor <br /> intensive than plantation agriculture, it will provide more jobs <br /> for our people. <br /> We continue to have good news in TOURISM with the advent of <br /> international flights that have opened new markets. We are <br /> optimistic that we will see additional flights this year that <br /> will improve our visitor numbers even more. It was rewarding <br /> that the partnership the County shared with the State, the Big <br /> Island HVCB and the private sector proved to be so successful 'p~~ 4 <br /> with this initiative. A partnership made possible bsg(oof O J <br /> previous years' budget support. <br /> H71e 170. <br /> ]Re(. Zb t PrQ~_~ f~..~ <br /> t~ <br /> _i il.ka I(~ _ <br /> <br />