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TUWARD A ?SEW VIS1Z)N FUR HAWAII <br /> Hawaii is currentl}- at the dead-end of the colonial sugar <br /> <br /> plantation era. Whether we will continue down other dead-end <br /> paths of cash export crops, or move toward restoring a self- <br /> reliant and self-sufficient Hawaii, is up to each of us. One <br /> thing is certain. We can no longer allow people with vested <br /> <br /> business and political interests to make decisions for us. The <br /> time for new vision and action is urgently upon us. <br /> 1•he crimes and failures of a colonial "grab it and growl' <br /> economy are plainly visible. Greedy businessmen systematically <br /> displaced the Iianaka Maoli people from their native lands and, <br /> with the assistance of the L'.S. military, overthrew the <br /> independent nation of Hawaii. Instead of the life of the land <br /> being perpetuated in righteousness, as called for in the State <br /> motto, Lhe life of the land has been abused. <br /> 'Today, colonized minds and colonial thinking advocate more <br /> cash crop exports as solutions to the ills of dependency and <br /> abuse created by 100 ,years of plantation sugar exports. Even <br /> with massive federal subsidies, Hawaii sugar could not compete on <br /> the world market and make a profit. What makes people think that <br /> irradiated tropical fruit from Hawaii will be any different? If <br /> anything, irradiating any Hawaii products will hurl, not help, <br /> the marketing of a1.1 Hawaii products. Will the $2 million County <br /> subsidy being pushed by the Famashiro administration and what <br /> appears to be the cast ma.iority of this council turn into $20 <br /> million, $200 million or more taxpayer dollars down the road^. <br /> A11 hc,alth and safety issues aside, where is the economic <br /> analysis, market study and business plan to .justify tax dollars <br /> going to this dubious food .irradiation project? No economic <br /> ,iustifi.cat.ion has been put forward to date. <br /> It's time to take the colonial chains from our brains, and <br /> the land out, of the hands of corporate agribusiness. Instead of <br /> exporting more cash crops and importing what we eat, it's time we <br /> feed ourselves. <br /> A food irradiation plant and eucalyptus plantations are <br /> steps away from sovereignty, self-sufficiency, and a sustainable <br /> future. It's time we make an about face, make things pono, and <br /> restorer a vision of hope. ~W~7^""0 <br /> J"im Albertini <br /> farmer <br /> Y.O. Box AB <br /> Eurtistown, HI 96760 <br /> Phone 966-76222 <br /> <br />