HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0212.259 1996-1998 DANIEL K. INOUYE
HAwal
APPROPRIATIONS ~v~`~ ~i`~ ~ PRINCE KUHIO FEDERAL BUILDING
Subcommitee on De(enae 1nl I ~,{.~UL I` {47{L`. ROOM ]325, 300 ALA MOANA BOULEVARD
HONOLULU, HI 96650-09]5
COMMERCE, SCIENCE. AND TRANSPORTATION SUITE 722, HART SENATE OFpry ~p{}p~I7,~]I p 16061 541-2542
Subcommittee on Surtacs Tmnaportation WASHINGTON, DC 205111021/ I 2 1 1 FAX 16061541-2549
antl Merchant Marina (202) 224-3934
COMMITTEE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS FAX (202) 224-6747 101 AUPUNI STREET, NO. 205
COUr`, . HILO, HI 96720
DEMOCRATIC STEERING COMMITTEE ~O~' • L%~- I ~/y y'~~II FAX~I81 8 -5163
COMMITTEE ON RULES AND ADMINISTRATION Ap r i l 2 4, 19 9 7
JOINT COMMITTEE ON %IINTING
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 Big 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. I have been greatly impressed
by the dedication and resilience of the people of Hawaii
County to adapt in. the face of this chance.
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
Comm. L17o, 2__ 2S7
F71e Ir`n.~y~yfc/p
def. To:_ Presented
1lef. Date MAY 0 7 1997
The Honorable Aaron S. Y. Chunq
April 24, 1997
Page 2
and safety of this treatment. Therefore, I want to commend
the 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
United States S nator
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