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- Hawaii A~_.cultural Promotional Association 11 May 7, 1997 ~~L~u-cV-~~7 J~~ To the Hawaii County Council, ~a~'fl{~ I want to congratulate you on your overwheining support and courageous vote for the passage of Ordinance 62. From the farmers, -those who invest money and sweat in the land, plant crops and are being productive, - we thank you. Although we did not come to you asking for any money, your willingness to stand up and put substance behind your support of diversified agriculture sent a clear message to this community. Your vote had the desired effect. Positive, good things have resulted. The morning after the vote representatives from Isomedix were awakened by a phone call from a financial institution who wanted to explain their loan programs. They felt reassured that this community was committed to facilitating exports of its agricultural products to the mainland. They went back with renewed vigor and are getting down to the detailed work required to build this facility here. Precisely because of your willingness to support this effort with dollars if need be, I am convinced that this plant will be built with private money on private lands. Work and communication between growers and Isomedix has been ongoing. These include analyzing possible sites, determining throughput volumes and projections, obtaining grower commitments, developing marketing strategies, and developing a business plan. We have a letter from Dean Charles Laughlin, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, which indicates their willingness to cooperate in a partnership with the CTHAR, the County of Hawaii, and the USDA Agricultural Research Service to conduct research at this facility for the purpose of broadening its practical application and aiding the agricultural community on the Big Island. We have a letters from the Produce Marketing Association and the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association, which urges support for Ordinance 62. This is tremendously significant because it means the national produce industry will support the County of Hawaii and it's growers in marketing irradiated products. All this has happened because you had the courage to stand up for your farmers and create a climate where we can do business. Stay the course and let us work together to develop a vibrant agricultural economy on the Big Island. u"m~' >ata"".~-~--- P91e ti1n.~~~ Mahalo and Aloha presented ~ [tof. 'ibt -r~?.r.~,c~ Ytet. Date ~IAY ~ 189f_ .