COM 0212.444 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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To: Mayor Steve Yamasha.o and Hawaii County Council From: Kimberly D. Clark, Ph.D. Re: Proposed $2 million post-harvest treatment project Date: April 24, 1997. The following testimony is against spending Hawaii County tax dollars for apost-harvest treatment project as an irradiation facility, or the building of such a facility in the State of Hawaii with public funding. As an agricutturat economist and a board member of Hawaii ..Organic Farmers Association(HOFA) for the past 4 years, I strongly object to the use of irradiation as a post harvest treatment for any reason. The 1990 Farm Bill Organic Food Protection Act mandated standards for certified organic, which prohibit the use of irradiation, as well as genetic engineering of seeds, both of which are being developed to assist large- scale corporate agribusiness interests. The "Made in Hawaii" Aloha Spirit which sells Hawaii's uniqueness in the tourist market symbolizes quality and caze, which do not create the same feelings associated with irradiation. So, if we aze selling imsdiated products from Hawaii, what is our competitive advantage on the world market? An historical account of the sugar and macadamia nut industry, both of which were highly developed horticulturally in Hawaii with cultivars and varieties especially suited to Hawaii conditions, can be used as an example. Because land, labor and transportation to markets aze very expensive in Hawaii and capital is scarce, azeas with the same climate and similar soils grow these and other crops cheaper. With the increased supply on the world market, the mazket price falls and those who cannot cover their costs, must be subsidized or tum to alternative crops. At the Tropical Fruit Growers Conference on Kauai in Octobet 1996, Jonathan Crane from Homestead, Florida lecriued on the Florida production, post harvest treatment, and marketing of tropical fruits, since Hurricane Andrew 5 year ago. The following information was discussed: CROP ACRES Avocado 6100, increasing Limes 2200, increasing Mango (to CA .TX. AZ.) 2000, decreasing to 1500 due to Mexico Papaya 3000-4000 Starfruit (cold treatment) 530 Lyche 600, increasing Longan 300 Rambutan too cold for Florida Sapote 300 Passion fruit 30 Sapadillo 30 Atemoya 20 Chermoya 20 "RECEIVED °`fi'• Time------------- BY Date---•------•-~~~°°'V=r~~---•r---' dAm~. D1Q 2 ~ 2.. f Couniy Council ~-~s~. 8418 1(0. Ref. lot PrQSSnfed ~'c"' xei. Dare APR 2 4 tA9T