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YIAY-06-97 TUE 19:03 HAWAII DI WERS IFIED TECH. 808 966 6977 P. 01 <br /> ~ ~ Big lslc><nd <br /> Sustainable Communities Assoc~#ipr~ <br /> P.O. Hox 797, Kurtistown, HI 9a7a0 <br /> gam. local p phone/tax (808) 966-6977,, <br /> ~7 f1RY 7 f~i'1 7 `~`f <br /> May 5. 1997 <br /> COU~`~ . <br /> ~Jacues Ai-alcaki, Chair COUiV ll' U;- HA'vVAll <br /> Couuty Council <br /> 25 Aupuni Street <br /> Llllo, Hawaii c36720 <br /> RE: Bill 62 Draft 2 (public improvement and financing.) <br /> Aloha Councilman Arakaki and other Council members. <br /> On behalf of the Blg Island Sustainable Communities Association, I am <br /> expressing our opposition to Rill 62, Draft 2 authorizing a Yost Harvest Treatment <br /> Facility ($2,000.000) for an unspecified activity. <br /> We do however support an amcndmentto the bill, as proposed by Ms. Eileen <br /> O'Hora-Weir (see attachment), that would require a complete marketing and <br /> economic feastbllity study prior to authorizing the use of public funds for this <br /> relatively new type of operation (there is only one food irradiator in the U.S.). <br /> This amendment defines the task Force composition and procedure. <br /> As an organization dedicated to the well-being of T31g Island communities <br /> now and into future generations, eve stl-ongly believe that public funds should noL <br /> be dispensed without adequate review by parties that do not represent a conflict <br /> of interest. We have received information from the University of Hawaii at Manoa <br /> verifying that the economics and usage of the proposed facility are incorrect and <br /> overstated. We have also received information from the USDA that contradic.l;; <br /> previous testimony from parties supporting that facility and stand to gain from its <br /> inception. <br /> Instead, SISCA would like to see support for sustainable, alternative <br /> economic development options: Import substitutions, value-added products, <br /> promotion of unique local products and fruit fly management. Import substitution <br /> represents selective production of fruits and vegetables to replace presently <br /> imported ones. with the range of climates here on the Big Island, many more <br /> food crops can be produced locally, thereby increasing economic development for <br /> local farmers and distributors while reducing the export dollars (ISOmedix and <br /> <br /> mainland brokers). <br /> Assic(iag Rig !s(nnd cwnnuu,ities (u drtre[np n wore Susfnina6fe wny of life <br /> ~~+1? x,,312.7.31 <br /> 1{ie ~1a )NO <br /> )let. R'oi <br /> Ham, pie MAY a 7 i <br /> <br />