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beneficials to compact a serious pest outbreak, is a very etl'ecti~ c practice and an essential "tool of the trade" to organic production and production aimed at reducing pesticide use. ¦ Seed money for the establishment of prototype processed and value-added products (Ikhydration. Juices. Baby foods, etc.). The image of Hawaii as a pristine sins with aloha is what sells product from Hawaii. Tf you look at the marketing of the cut-flower industry (I have'/, acre of oncidium orchids for cut- flower)you would realize that our only advantage over Thailand and Singapore (producing in China) is a sense of quality and aloha. it is getting increasingly difficult to keep mainland markets for tropical cut•flower open in light of the "dumping" oC Thai and Singapore orchids on the U.S. market. There two counties sell their "firsts" to Japan and dump their "seconds" on the U.S. market. Tt may not actually constitute "dumping" in the strict economic definition since the costs of production facod by Thailand and Singapore are so diminutive compared to Hawaii's cost of production that they may actually be pricing product above their average variable cost. Still, the market lessons are the same. lfprocessing ofthe tropics! fruit products were done, we could develop products which could market the llawaiian image, develop sustainable markets, require increased plantings thereby increasing agricultural production, attract lower cost transportation options and create many new jobs and small businesses which our local work force could handle. This is a sustainable direction for agriculture. Export oriented agriculture is airned at upscale niche marketing which requires a constant influx of marketing expenditures to identify and open new markets since these markets are trendy and not long-term ¦ Money for research/development of new fruit varieties which could extend the season/availability of highly seasonal fruits (L,o¦gan, lychee, etc.). if we are to have any comparative advantagt in the exotic tropical fruit market, we need to have our product differeraiated and hit the market at staggered times from the rest oC the producing countries. This could also provide a source of revenue in terms of raising plants and scion wood. ¦ The county could providt suitable land for development of a research/demonstration organic farm. Already a precedent set on Maui - a 29 acre county ag lot in Kula with a SU year lease was j ust awarded to HOFA on a li month trial basis. We Hoed to have such farms established in all of the agro-ecosystems in the state. ¦ Seed money for the establishment of water welts in areas without safCcient supply. (South Kona, Hamakua -those farmers affecUxi by Bishop's purchase of the water rights to the Hamakua ditch, Ka'u and Puna) ¦ Rebates to organic farmers to offset the cost of certification as s result of federal requiremenb. When the Organic Food Production Act (OFPA) takes effect later this year (its out for 60 days of public review and expected to be sitgred off by late summer), organizations otTering certification will neod to pay the fells in order to become accredited. 't'his will costa M. ~ilem O'Hors-Whir, Dekini Entergrism S/1/97 z