HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0362.016 2022-2024 i
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July 16,2023
Hawaii County Council
Office of the County Clerk
25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, HI 96720
Re: Support for Bill 56
Kilauea Recovery Grant Program
two
Aloha Chair,and Council Members
On behalf of the Synergistic Hawaii Agriculture Council (SHAC), I would like to express our strong support
for Bill 56.
SHAC is a non-profit organization representing over 1,200 agribusinesses in the floriculture, papaya,
macadamia and coffee crops. We assist our producers with responding to challenges such as pests and
diseases, increasing production at the farmgate and developing markets for our Hawaii agriculture
products.
Our staff was there with the orchid and papaya growers through the Kilauea lava flow and subsequent
destruction of the growing fields. We have been involved with their recovery at every step of the way,
with support for financial management,strategic planning and grant applications. We have seen the
benefit of the Grant Program,and how it has advanced the goal of a return to local agricultural
production and community regrowth.
Many floriculture and papaya growers were displaced by the Kilauea flow and have been struggling to
rebuild in the proximate areas to their original locations. This has created a wave of secondary issues
that the Ordinance could help resolve. We hope the council can quickly pass the code changes and
establish a clear process forward for impacted communities.
If there are any questions about this endorsement, please contact me via email at
suzanne@shachawaii.org or by phone at(808)365-9041.
Sincerely,
Suzanne Shriner
Adminstrator
All Equal 01ppaortunity Cooperator
Flawar z Coffee Association - _Hawoi`i Floriculture andNursery Association
Noway i Alacadamic,NlitAssosration ® BawoO Papaya IndustlyAssociation 190Ifeawe.�tree,Suite 2S,Hilo,flawafi 96720 Comm.)AV
in fa Stlf�Ci�la vaii,ot Ref.T t —
Ref. Date JUL 2 5 2023