HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0212.332 1996-1998
H 1 CA HAWAII ISLAND CONTR~iCfiQ~R6',-ASSOCIATION
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494 C KALANIKOA STREET HILO, HAWAII 96720 TELEPHONE (808) 935-1316
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COuP~:- yypday, May 7, 1997
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Honorable Chair and Committee Members
It is the position of The Hawaii Island Contractors' Association that food irradiation is the one
singularly important way to enhance the safety and quality of the food supply, and to open
access to a lucrative U.S. mainland consumer market For Hawaii Island's farmers..
The Hawaii Island Contractors' Association encourages the government, food manufacturers, food
commodity groups, and qualified professionals to continue working together in educating
consumers about this safe and proven technology.
The Hawaii Island Contractors' Association supports the measure to fund the development of the
post harvest treatment by irradiation for two distinct reasons:
1) Economics -With the demise of our island's sugar industry, our growers, large and small, are
becoming more competitive. Hawaii Island growers are working together and sharing information
that they receive from agencies like the University of Hawaii and the Hawaii County's Research
& Development office. Growers presently are developing a diverse array of agricultural products
to maintain our agrarian way of life. These hard working people, adjusting to the recent economic
changes, face their greatest challenge, and that is -getting their product to a larger market outside
this state.
To protect mainland growers from fruit fly infestation, Hawaii growers are required by law to use a
post harvest treatment. The market requires that Hawaii growers' produce must be affordable and
of high quality. The growers' families require that they realize a profit from their work. Irradiation is
the only post harvest treatment to meet all three requirements. To just maintain the economy we
presently have, we need the irradiation process.
To expand our markets, we also need the irradiation process. Irradiation will open other markets
that can't get enough of our unique products. Profit will be dependent on the amount a farmer can
grow and how many markets he can access for his products. Irradiation can be the road to the
American Dream for many of our island farmers. We can all win with irradiation!
Other ideas have been considered over the years, but the truth is there is only one solution for
making Hawaii grown products marketable on the mainland and in other regional markets.
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H 1 CA HAWAII ISLAND CONTRACTORS' ASSOCIATION
494 C KALANIKOA STREET HILO, HAWAII 96720 TELEPHONE (808) 935-1316
2) Health and Safety- Irradiation saves lives.
Reputable scientirfic organizations endorsing food irradiation include:
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture American Meat Institute Foundation
National Live Stock Meat Board
U.S. Public Health Service
American Council on Science & Health
American Dietetic Association
Consensus Conference Statement, American Gastroenterological Foundation
National Science and Technology Council (Advisors to Clinton Administration)
Councl for Agricultural Science and Technology
American Meat Institute
American Spice Trade Association
Research & Development Associates for Military Food & Packaging Systems Inc.
Institute of Food Technologists
World Health Organization
United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization
American Medical Association
According to a long list of reputable food, health and scientific authorities including the United
States Food and Drug Administration, the World Health Organization and more, irradiation is a safe
and widely accepted practice to protect food against bacteria and infestation.
For example: the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization
(WHO): These two UN agencies have promoted irradiation as a means of dealing with the
problems of world hunger and reducing food borne diseases. FAO representatives have argued
that irradiation would or could reduce losses in storage by killing off pests and micro organisms
and thus help increase the year-round supply of wholesome food.
We have all consumed and benefited from irradiated non-food products for years. Consumer
products like:
adhesive bandages baby bottle nipples
spice & spice blends tennis strings
topical ointment toys
haircream moisturizingcream
liquid detergents tampons
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H 1 CA HAWAII ISLAND CONTRACTORS' ASSOCIATION
494 C KALANIKOA STREET HILO, HAWAII 96720 TELEPHONE (808) 935-1316
In conclusion -We must plan for the future and agriculture has been and will always be a way of
life for the residents of the Big Island. We can no longer afford to rely on methods that are not
competitive in the global market. We can all grow our own food in our backyards and lanais and it
still won't help our economy. We need income from outside of the state to build and maintain our
economy. Tourism is one important source. Giving Hawaii Island growers the opportunity to sell
our unique tropical produce is another. The Hawaii Island Contractors' Association supports the
measure to fund the development of the post harvest treatment facility for irradiation.
Hawaii Island is in need of economic stimulus. Let us take a bold stand for our families, friends, our
future. The Hawaii Island Contractors' Association requests passage of this measure.
Thank you Mr. Chair, Committee, People of Hawaii.
;
Hugh Willocks,
President, The Hawaii Island Contractors' Association
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