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H I HAWAII ISLAND CONTRACTORS' ASSOCIATION 494 C KALANIKOA STREET • HILO, HAWAII 96720 PHONE (808) 935-1376 FAX (808) 934-7779 diverse array of agricultural products to maintain our agrarian way of life. These hard working people, adjusting to the recent economic changes, face their greatest challenge, and that is -getting their product to a larger market outside this state. To protect mainland growers from fruit fly infestation, Hawaii growers are required by law to use a post harvest treatment. The market requires that Hawaii growers' produce must be affordable and of high quality. The growers' families require that they realize a profit from their work. Irradiation is the only post harvest treatment to meet all three requirements. To just maintain the economy we presently have, we need the irradiation process. To expand our markets, we also need the irradiation process. Irradiation will open other markets that can't get enough of our unique products. Profit will be dependent on the amount a farmer can grow and how many markets he can access for his products. Irradiation can be the road to the- American Dream for many of our island farmers. We can all win with irradiation! Other ideas have been considered over the years, but the truth is there is only one solution for making Hawaii grown products marketable on the mainland and in other regional markets. 2) Health and Safety- Irradiation saves lives. Reputable scientific organizations endorsing food irradiation include: U.S. Food and Drug Administration U.S. Dept. of Agriculture American Meat Institute Foundation National Live Stock Meat Board U.S. Public Health Service American Council on Science & Health American Dietetic Association Consensus Conference Statement, American Gastroenterological Foundation National Science and Technology Council (Advisors to Clinton Administration) Council for Agricultural Science and Technology 5