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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0212.292 1996-1998 1~~~~ ~ May 2, 1997 Coucihna~z John Santangelo Hawaii County Council 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Dear John, 1 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 I-Iawaii'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, Coo, 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 industry is registering new gains after a period of setbacks. Tropical fruit growers are poised to enter mainland markers with an exciting array of fresh, 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 supporC of this initiative. We feel that irradiation and other post-harvest methods will provide a critical link in our long term plan to expand markets for our products. We realize that it took conviction and courage, on your part, to support this measure as this is a highly controversial issue. We are counting on your continued support of agriculture in the future. Mahalo, ' ~ ~ i ~ Oomua. Dta Zlt. 2~, Ylk loo. FN Bet. To: ` 7 flat. Date -