COM 0212.318 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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In'nI ll.C'uti~~ May 7, 97 ~~t ~ l~~ My name is Alice Suncloud. My husband and I are small organic farmers with 21 acres in Hawaiian Acres subdivision. Much of my testimony of two weeks ago included information about the so-called "Dreaft Throughput Analysis" compiled by the Dept. of Research and Development from information supplied by the pro- irradiation group called "Tropical Fruit Growers Coop". I believe that list to be grossly inaccurate as a tool for predicting through- put for irradiation, and my reasons for questioning items on the list are referenced and included in my testimony on the page follow- ing the list. A total of 8,852,000 pounds (out of the approximately 10 million pounds indicated by the list) are either highly question- able for exportation and marketing, or evidence shows damage and/or reduced vase life, or there is already a treatment available. In fact, the only items on the list that appear to be practical candidates for irradiation are rambutan, lychee, atemoya, Tongan, abiu, and durian. Of these, only rambutan and lychee have so far shown any real potential for sale in mainstream local retail stores; and even in health food stores, atemoya, Tongan, abiu, and durian are usually sold on consighnment. Why then should we assume those fruits will be acceptable for retail stores on the mainland? It appears the "diversified agriculture" referred to by pro- ponents of irradiation consists of only two crops rambutan and lychee. These two crops will not support an irradiation facility, regardless of the amount produced, because they each have a season of only about a month. The lack of available throughput for the future economic feasibility of an irradiation facility in Hilo is one of the two main reasons why Isomedix is not willing to start building. The other reason of course is the market. I'm sure Isomedix takes very seriously the fact that the only similar facility on the mainland has lost over $6 million to date., and the fact that "Food and Water" has initiated a boycott of all irradiated food. 8,229 letters and postcards from mainland consumers saying they will boycott irradiated products from Hawaii have been sent to the mayor so far. I have asked the County Office of Information and the Dept. of Research and Development for any written evidence of economic feas- ibility for this project, and they have consistently produced nothing not a single document, not a shred of evidence of economic feasibility for public examination. I believe that only continual taxpayer subsidies could ever support this facility; and the farmers who want this facility because they hope to profit from it are already better off than most of the rest of us. Why then should the ones with the least subsidize the ones with the most? It doesn't make sense. If the proponents for this project are as confident as they appear, then why don't they put up some of their land for col- lateral and get a loan? There are several hundred acres owned by the few proponents for this project in this room today. Obviously, they are not so sure they'd make their money back. w •9~,~~ 11{s 1(e. FAO Pfbsemec ~ N / 'Ib! ltat. Date Mp=997