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DANIEL K. INOUYE <br /> HAwal <br /> APPROPRIATIONS ~1111tey PRINCE KU HIO FE DERAE 841E DING <br /> Subcammdtsa on DelOn,a L EE~~7{78 ~rWQI ~ E1711?1C POOM ]776, 700 aA MOANA BOULEVARD <br /> HONOLULU. NI 98860-0976 <br /> <br /> COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPOflTATION SUITE 721. HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING 18081 Wt-2Ga7 <br /> sw,ommuue an surha Tren,Pertatle" y,,gSHINGTON, DC 20610-1101 vax 1e7e1 sal-tssa <br /> end Meahant Mslina (2D21 124-3934 <br /> COMMITTEE ON INDIAN PSFAIflB FAX (202) 2Y4-670.7 101 AUPU NI 6TREET, NO. 206 <br /> NILO, HI OBT70 <br /> OEMOCIIATIC BTFERING COMMITTEE Ia081 876-DOdA <br /> FAX 18081981-6189 <br /> COMMITTEE ON flULEB AND ADMINI9TAATION April 34, 1997 <br /> JOINT COMMITTEE ON ?flINTINO <br /> The Honorable Aaron S. Y. Chung <br /> Chair <br /> Finance Committee <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> 25 Aupuni Street <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> Dear Mr. Chairman: <br /> I am pleased that you are holding a hearing today on post <br /> harvest agricultural treatment. with the closure of all of <br /> the Biq Island's and many other. Hawaii sugar. plantations, <br /> intense focus has been placed on building a stronger <br /> diversified farming industry in our state. Developing new <br /> markets and export opportunities for healthy and nutritious <br /> agriculture products from Hawaii is critical to the success <br /> of this important effort. <br /> I have done my best to bring federal resources to bear on <br /> the important though difficult transition from plantation <br /> style agriculture on the Big Island to a greater dependence <br /> on a diversified crop base. z have been greatly impre~3ed <br /> by the dedication and resilience of the people of Hawaii <br /> County to adapt in the face of this change. <br /> One of the greatest challenges to bringing Hawaii <br /> agricultural products to market outside our state is <br /> developing effective post harvest and other treatments for <br /> agricultural pests, particularly fruit flies. I have <br /> committed my efforts and federal resources to aid in <br /> developing integrated pest management strategies, including <br /> heat vapor treatment for papayas and soon for lychee, cold <br /> treatment for avocados, a ringspot resistant papaya variety, <br /> and a nematode resistant pineapple variety. <br /> I hope you can challenge everyone at today's hearing to <br /> listen and participate with an open mind on the topic of <br /> irradiation. I appreciate that some question the merits <br /> <br />