Laserfiche WebLink
May 2, 1997 I ~~Irl-l.z.t P.~~' ~ S ~7 <br /> ~~t~~. <br /> Coucilman John Santangelo <br /> F~Iawaii County Council <br /> 25 Aupuni Street <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> Dear John, <br /> I am writing to express my deep appreciation for your consideration and principled support for Bill <br /> 62, as amended, to establish apost-harvest irradiation facility. <br /> This ordinance, approved by the Council Finance Committee on April 24, provides an appropriation <br /> to support post-harvest infrastructure for Hawaii's agricultural exports. The committee wisely adopted <br /> amendments to specify areas for funding and to assure accountability by the Council for all contracted <br /> expenditures. Local growers, too, expect to share in the capital financing of this project and to promote <br /> thoughtful marketing and public education efforts in support ofpost-harvest quarantine technology. We <br /> welcome your counsel and collaboration in these efforts. <br /> Our agricultural economy stands at the threshold of a promising new era. Our papaya i?dustry is <br /> registering new gains after a period of setbacks. Tropical fruit growers are poised Co enter mainland markets <br /> with an exciting array of tcesh, high quality exotic produce. Our research community - CTAHR, ARS, <br /> APHIS and others -will gain much by the availability of a Hawaii-based irradiation facility to investigate <br /> protocols For other commodity exports. Our export flower and foliage industries also support welcome its <br /> contribution to applied sterilization uses. <br /> We, in Ka'u, are now faced with great challenges but even greater opportunities in agriculture. As we <br /> begin this period of diversification it is encouraging to have your support of this initiative. We feel that <br /> irradiation and other post-harvest methods will provide a critical link in our long teen plan to expand <br /> markets for our products. <br /> We realize that it took conviction and courage, on your pari, to support this measure as this is <br /> <br /> a highly controversial issue. We are counting on your continued support of agriculhire in the future. <br /> QM~ahaloy,~-~~ <br /> J ,may/, <br /> l/ Comte. Dia ~i.~ Z~ 2~~ <br /> P11e 1ta ICiI/I] ~ ~ <br /> Ref. P~asenfed ~OYNGi / <br /> fit, j~ro ifGY 0 7 1997 <br /> <br />