HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0212.260 1996-1998 May 2, 1997 I ~~Irl-l.z.t P.~~' ~ S ~7
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Coucilman John Santangelo
F~Iawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Dear John,
I am writing to express my deep appreciation for your consideration and principled support for Bill
62, as amended, to establish apost-harvest irradiation facility.
This ordinance, approved by the Council Finance Committee on April 24, provides an appropriation
to support post-harvest infrastructure for Hawaii's agricultural exports. The committee wisely adopted
amendments to specify areas for funding and to assure accountability by the Council for all contracted
expenditures. Local growers, too, expect to share in the capital financing of this project and to promote
thoughtful marketing and public education efforts in support ofpost-harvest quarantine technology. We
welcome your counsel and collaboration in these efforts.
Our agricultural economy stands at the threshold of a promising new era. Our papaya i?dustry is
registering new gains after a period of setbacks. Tropical fruit growers are poised Co enter mainland markets
with an exciting array of tcesh, high quality exotic produce. Our research community - CTAHR, ARS,
APHIS and others -will gain much by the availability of a Hawaii-based irradiation facility to investigate
protocols For other commodity exports. Our export flower and foliage industries also support welcome its
contribution to applied sterilization uses.
We, in Ka'u, are now faced with great challenges but even greater opportunities in agriculture. As we
begin this period of diversification it is encouraging to have your support of this initiative. We feel that
irradiation and other post-harvest methods will provide a critical link in our long teen plan to expand
markets for our products.
We realize that it took conviction and courage, on your pari, to support this measure as this is
a highly controversial issue. We are counting on your continued support of agriculhire in the future.
QM~ahaloy,~-~~
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