HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0212.231 1996-1998 YIAY-06-97 TUE 19:03 HAWAII DI WERS IFIED TECH. 808 966 6977 P. 01
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Sustainable Communities Assoc~#ipr~
P.O. Hox 797, Kurtistown, HI 9a7a0
gam. local p phone/tax (808) 966-6977,,
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May 5. 1997
COU~`~ .
~Jacues Ai-alcaki, Chair COUiV ll' U;- HA'vVAll
Couuty Council
25 Aupuni Street
Llllo, Hawaii c36720
RE: Bill 62 Draft 2 (public improvement and financing.)
Aloha Councilman Arakaki and other Council members.
On behalf of the Blg Island Sustainable Communities Association, I am
expressing our opposition to Rill 62, Draft 2 authorizing a Yost Harvest Treatment
Facility ($2,000.000) for an unspecified activity.
We do however support an amcndmentto the bill, as proposed by Ms. Eileen
O'Hora-Weir (see attachment), that would require a complete marketing and
economic feastbllity study prior to authorizing the use of public funds for this
relatively new type of operation (there is only one food irradiator in the U.S.).
This amendment defines the task Force composition and procedure.
As an organization dedicated to the well-being of T31g Island communities
now and into future generations, eve stl-ongly believe that public funds should noL
be dispensed without adequate review by parties that do not represent a conflict
of interest. We have received information from the University of Hawaii at Manoa
verifying that the economics and usage of the proposed facility are incorrect and
overstated. We have also received information from the USDA that contradic.l;;
previous testimony from parties supporting that facility and stand to gain from its
inception.
Instead, SISCA would like to see support for sustainable, alternative
economic development options: Import substitutions, value-added products,
promotion of unique local products and fruit fly management. Import substitution
represents selective production of fruits and vegetables to replace presently
imported ones. with the range of climates here on the Big Island, many more
food crops can be produced locally, thereby increasing economic development for
local farmers and distributors while reducing the export dollars (ISOmedix and
mainland brokers).
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MqY-06-97 TUE 19;04 HgWgII DIWERSIFIED TECH. 808 966 6977
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Value-added producl~ have been talked about. and promoted for the last
couple years by growers, distributors and industry organizations. There is no
doubt about the benefits of producing and processing local products. The value-
added products reach local residents as well as the visitor industry and they do
not have seasonal limitations as the fresh fruit market does.
Hawaii has a great promotional opportunity with the sales of products that
may be unique to Hawaii (e.g. ramhutan). Since thin product requires a tropical
climate, Hawaii has the best opportunity to "grow and show" this unique delight.
Again, the traveler spends money here, supporting the local grower and marketer
of this rxperience rather than a mainland broker and no travel funds. In addition,
the visitors contribute economically in many other avenues.
Lastly, the University has published a far t sheet outlining fnrit. fly
management slral.cgies that could be pursued. The irony of the proposed
treatment that sterilizes but does not kill the fruit fly larvae is that fruit can still be
damaged frnrn fruit fly development, reselling in live 'dumping" larvae upon arrival
at the market, according to University of Hawaii at Manoa documentation. BISCA
supports development of coordinated management efforts to minimize fruit fly
damage for all commodities, especially for local markets, There are so many crops
impacted by the fruit fly that any efforts to combat the damage should address
local markets and economic development before expending' millions of dollars for
a process that will help only a limited number of growers.
ThanK-you for thr opportunity to address this bill.
Rcspnct fully,
i/)~ r
Laurel A. Dekker
Executive Director
MAY-06-97 TLJE 19:05 HgWAII DIVERSIFIED TECH. 808 966 6977 P. 03
PU;i51131,1i nUUI fIONAI. AMIiNUMLiN"I"I'U 7'I Ili L31LI. 1'RC)VIIJING $7,U(lQ,(lUU I'OR'fl IL
fUOL) IRRnDIA'I IUN I'LAN'1'
/~u inrpntlial thnd party analysis sh;rll be made of tlrc Bill bcuul"its and lho full costs, bulb
qu.rntilativc and nun~qu:urfiL•uivc. of the pngntscd litcilily, iuc.luding utnrkcliu{; and liability
cuvciagc. 'I~Itis shall includr an analysis of when (in what yew) the full cods incuncd by the County
will bu u•paid lhtoul;h ruveuuc bmicl'its lu the Culuuy. Up to $75,UW is authorized liu this study.
I ho dcluilcd questions fu Itc turswcrcd will be spccilicd, a Qualilied Bidders' list identified, turd the
study carried uul under the oversight ol~a t'ancl of six citrons working with the Ueparlmcnl of
~t~@,U 'I'hc puncl shall all be cxpaienced in ccunontic analysis and the issues of loud inadiatiou,
and be appointed by the Council. 't'hree. shall be "pmpoueuts" and three "oppunutls" ul (he
~aoposed facility. The study is to be cuntpleled tvilhin si.x uwnlhs of the award .utd the report
pi cscnled lirsi lu the Panel and Then coucun cnlly lu the Council and the Muyur. `°l~he study shalt
Ire cunrplr.lcd :urcl the izzsulls pr csenled prior lu the Council making any subsea uenl decisions
concerning c.r pcudiluics under this $2 milliwt CII' appruptittliou for site preps ration and
conslrucliun ufan irradiation lhcilily"
stncorcly,
M. ISileen U'] tut a-Weir