HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0212.329 1996-1998
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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_ .
F' n~~:ri~
university of I=~awai`i at 1'1~anaa
College of Troptca'. ~igricultur,: and Ejwnan Resources
~siltnnLe Hall 202 3050 Muilc lb'ae • Honolulu, Hawaii 96822-:'-^%1
Telephone: (t30i1) E:;O-FG47h - i',acsirnile; (a0H) 056-9105
C1lfiuu pf the Demt ?nd Ditech7r
lviay fi, 1997
Mr. Jautt:z, Arakalci, Ch;iirutr.n
Hawai"i County Cowrcil
County gPHawai`i
Aupuui Strut
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
l~c:ar C`haitman Aral:aki:
l~hc College cfTropicat Agriculhtre and Houton Resources (C'TAHR) has a
commitment to help the economic development of the County of Hawaii as other
cowrtics itt our Mate. CTAHI~ ha, a rich history in developing procedures for the safe
nsc u, !,-radiation to improve food quality and safety for over two decades. The research
of Dr. ]:cues ;vloy has been directed toward the application of irradiation to Hawai' i
agricultural products. In a~rdition, a major thrust of our college in the future is in the
postharvest value-added component of agriculture. CTAHR is most interested in
esta!-,lishing collaboration between the College and the I~awai`i County. CTi11-IR would
look forvard to the possibility of cniluboration in the development of educational
prot;mns, appropriate research, and evaluation itf nutritional quality of irradiated foods.
We want to 63 parcaers in the economic development and strengthening of our
agricultural industries. 1 look fu;ward to an upporiunity in which we might initiate these;
c;UriVerSatiOnS.
Sincerely,
Charles W. Laughlin
Dean
hsi
Ucc: Mr. Eric Lleinert
An rq~'dl (~~ppiirtnr:ity/fltfirtnative Action lI?StltU tl011