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<br /> <br /> <br /> HARRY ELIASON 155 Wailuku Drive <br /> ATTORNEY AT LAW Hilo, Hawaii %720 <br /> 808-934-0461 Phone <br /> 808-934-0532 Fax <br /> E-mail Address: <br /> heliason(aaol.com <br /> <br /> <br /> August 5, 1998 RECFJVED "It- <br /> <br /> - <br /> RE: Testimony Concerning Bill 276 'e"- - By <br /> Go ty CouncB <br /> <br /> Chairman Arakaki and members of the Council: My name is Harry Eliason. I am <br /> an attorney and a farmer. I practice in Hilo and along with my family we have a <br /> <br /> rambutan orchard in the Hamakua area. <br /> As a farmer, I am very concerned that the proposed Initiative against post-harvest <br /> <br /> treatment will effectively end any real opportunity for Hawaii to develop an agricultural <br /> industry that would be capable of employing a large number of our fellow citizens in <br /> <br /> good-paying jobs and allow the development of true family farming. <br /> As a lawyer I am very concerned that the Initiative proposal violates Federal <br /> <br /> Statutory and Constitutional law. My three major points are as follows: <br /> First. The Federal government has pre-empted the states from establishing laws <br /> <br /> that regulate nuclear energy. The Federal government has designated the Nuclear <br /> Regulatory Commission as the agency to establish rules and regulations to insure that <br /> <br /> nuclear energy is used in safe and effective ways to improve the lives of Americans. This <br /> commission has the knowledge, resources and expertise to develop a rational approach to <br /> <br /> the proper use of nuclear energy. Individual communities or counties do not have the <br /> resources or expertise to legislate in the area of nuclear energy. <br /> <br /> Second. Bill Number 276 is clearly an effort to deprive only one industry in <br /> Hawaii from using the benefits of nuclear energy, namely, farmers. There are currently <br /> <br /> five nuclear sites on the Big Island. Hilo Medical Center, North Hawaii Community <br /> Hospital, Keahole Associates in Kona, Yamada & Sons in Hilo and M. Sonomura <br /> <br /> Contracting in Hilo. Products that have been irradiated are in every day use on Big <br /> Island, especially by the medical community. We hear no complaints in the community <br /> as to the use of nuclear energy to assist these business render good and proper services to <br /> <br /> Big Island residents. /J2 / ~7 <br /> Comm. No. <br /> Mle No. <br /> Ref. To: Pres n Couwu~ <br /> <br /> 1W 1 5 t998 <br />