HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0212.066 1996-1998 Hawaiian Phoenix, Inc. _ ,
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Robert DeNeve Telephone 808-9657137
a.o. eoXt04s ' 97 flPR 22 till 17 `l~ eo6s-
ss-0esa7
Keaau, Hi 96749
4N 8197 ~
COUi~.
COUNTY 0~ HAWAII
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo
Hawaii 96720
Dear Councilmembers:
I am writing to ask for your support for building an irradiator here on the Big Island
where so much of Hawaii's fruit and vegetables are produced.
As the President and operator of Hawaiian Phoenix, a 100+ acre farm in Keaau which is
producing Papaya, coffee and foliage plants, 1 support the building of an irradiation
facility for the export of my crops to markets beyond the State of Hawaii. I feel such a
move will not only help build agricultural exports but also provide much needed
additional employment for the displaced sugar workers and ex-welfare recipients. We
cannot consider investment into new expansion without suitable post-harvest treatment
for export.
The irradiator will benefit our farm, family and others of our community. So much
information proving the safety of irradiation treatments at the levels used for quarantine
processing has been issued that one wonders why there is any question about moving
forward with the project! Farmers here face so many other problems getting their
products to market what with regulations and lack of transportation, perhaps we can
eliminate or at least alleviate them with your approval to build an irradiator.
The increase of available product volume leaving the Island could result in the air freight
providers being more receptive to the commercial use of the Hilo airport and offer us
the better means to move our seeds and foliage plants as well as our fruit. It will afford
the agricultural community in general a better chance to move products out of the State
and improve the struggling economy of East Hawaii while generating additional jobs via
the expanding farms.
Please vote YES when asked if you support the proposed irradiator on April 24! Mahalo.
Sincerely,
7~~
Robert T. DeNeve 2~,
President Com`r:. ~O' -
P51e No. ~N~ C't~
Prasanted ~j
pef. T°:_
Ret. I~r f'APR 2 2 1997