COM 0212.326 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ID• MAY 06'97 15 02 No .006,P.02 May 6, 1997 'L'aatGriepy t0 ji~aWali~0011~Y COUDdI itegarding the development of a post-harve8t treatment faolHty (irradiation) in the County of Hawaii. Mayor Stophen Yamaehlro, Council Members: MacFatme owns and operates one of the world's largest macadamia businueea - growittg and processing macadamia on the South Kona COaat of the Hig Nand, than exporting and selling arounA S2S million of macadamias around tho world. Th18 testimony le 1n support of the proposal to estnblleh an irradisdon facility on the Blg ie]and for poet harvest treatment of tropical agricultural products. MaoPatans will nos attempt to argue the "moral" and suDDvsad safety issues of irradiation. However, we do believe that there was an iratereetingly similar amount of induced hysteria at ttte time that; • Columbus wsntod to sell around the world • Steam trains earted running Automobiles replaced horses • Womeu doctors efattod practioing All of these were to have led to the downtkll of society nt lltat time. As a mdJor producer and exporter of agricultural products, it ie quite obvious to ue that tho llfbblood of any agrioultu~nl industry is not production but marketing. The key players in the macadamia industry (MacParms, Mauna Loa and Hnwallan Host - repreesndng close to 90% of Hawaii's macadamia revonue) are key because of thou marketing -not. their production or proeeeeing facllitle8. The exwnsivn of this is that if Hawaii wishes to maintain !ts ntral eulturo and aprarlan lifertylo as well se its economic viability, then markots and the markedng of iu agricultural produce are vitally impotYattt. The mainlsuut opposition to Hawaii's (supposedly) risky products will not go away - nor wfU It be satisfied by any means other than Irradiation treatment. Thus the i ~ MACFAPM9 OF HAVCnu, 1~G~ 89.406 MANAUHOA HIGp~H7aWAY CArtAIN COOK, Ht 96704 k/G 3~Yd ~euu act auu'pviinuoNl7Atta143.5 PllvMv.K~'~o~smtra avy~ 4~ s< <3nti 46, Yo FVN