Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0212.099 1996-1998 'S7 APR 24 X3(1 7 24 COUP-; FACSIMI~;~ OFFICE OF SENATOR DANIEL K. INOUYE TO: 'Ihe Honorable Aaron S. Y. QZUr~ 3U3-969-3291 FROM: Sen. Daniel K. Inouye ` PHONE: 202-224-3934 NUMBER OF PAGES FOLLOWING THIS PAGE: 2 _ DATE: April 24, 1997 _ TIME: 12:45 Ian COMMENTS: rleas~ see attached re„atdir~ today's Finance Camu ttee hearin;. Th<~uik. you. DKI :~f Camrn. Dio. 2~ }iei. "lv: Presented FG APR 2 9 E~f. Llr+• DANIEL K. INOUYE HAwal APPROPRIATIONS ~1111tey PRINCE KU HIO FE DERAE 841E DING Subcammdtsa on DelOn,a L EE~~7{78 ~rWQI ~ E1711?1C POOM ]776, 700 aA MOANA BOULEVARD HONOLULU. NI 98860-0976 COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPOflTATION SUITE 721. HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING 18081 Wt-2Ga7 sw,ommuue an surha Tren,Pertatle" y,,gSHINGTON, DC 20610-1101 vax 1e7e1 sal-tssa end Meahant Mslina (2D21 124-3934 COMMITTEE ON INDIAN PSFAIflB FAX (202) 2Y4-670.7 101 AUPU NI 6TREET, NO. 206 NILO, HI OBT70 OEMOCIIATIC BTFERING COMMITTEE Ia081 876-DOdA FAX 18081981-6189 COMMITTEE ON flULEB AND ADMINI9TAATION April 34, 1997 JOINT COMMITTEE ON ?flINTINO The Honorable Aaron S. Y. Chung Chair Finance Committee Hawaii County Council 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Dear Mr. Chairman: I am pleased that you are holding a hearing today on post harvest agricultural treatment. with the closure of all of the Biq Island's and many other. Hawaii sugar. plantations, intense focus has been placed on building a stronger diversified farming industry in our state. Developing new markets and export opportunities for healthy and nutritious agriculture products from Hawaii is critical to the success of this important effort. I have done my best to bring federal resources to bear on the important though difficult transition from plantation style agriculture on the Big Island to a greater dependence on a diversified crop base. z have been greatly impre~3ed by the dedication and resilience of the people of Hawaii County to adapt in the face of this change. One of the greatest challenges to bringing Hawaii agricultural products to market outside our state is developing effective post harvest and other treatments for agricultural pests, particularly fruit flies. I have committed my efforts and federal resources to aid in developing integrated pest management strategies, including heat vapor treatment for papayas and soon for lychee, cold treatment for avocados, a ringspot resistant papaya variety, and a nematode resistant pineapple variety. I hope you can challenge everyone at today's hearing to listen and participate with an open mind on the topic of irradiation. I appreciate that some question the merits mhe Honorable Aaron S. Y. Chung April 24, 1997 Sage 2 and safety of this treatment. Therefore, i want to commend th© County Council and those who will be attending and testifying at today's hearing on your willingness to share information on this topic. I am looking forward to hearing the results of your work today. Alo , D L K. INO Y United States S nator DKl:mfw 6