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April 24, 1997 <br /> Honorable James Arakaki <br /> Chairman, and Members of the <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> Good morning. My name is Tom Shiroma. I would like <br /> to compare the present agricultural situation with a similar one..way <br /> back in 1940. Waiakea Mill Sugar Plantation was about the first <br /> to go under in the sugar industry. My father was able to acquire <br /> 12 acres of the sugar cane land on Puainako Street, across from <br /> the KTA Center, which is at present, the red ginger field. <br /> He and a Mr. Matsumoto were about the first to start <br /> the papaya industry. Because of the changing lifestyle---condominium <br /> and apartment-type living---people started buying papayas. <br /> In those early years, agricultural workers were not <br /> covered under Social Security until Congress enacted the law. <br /> After he became eligible for Social Security, he began raising <br /> Vanda orchids, then a couple of years later, changed to red ginger <br /> flowers, starting with only three rows. People thought he was <br /> crazy going into papaya and flower business...but he persevered <br /> and managed to pay the property taxes on the 12 acres. <br /> In a few years, the demand for export of papayas and <br /> the red ginger flowers grew and my father expanded the acreage <br /> and was able to hire workers. We have presently expanded our <br /> operation in another area. <br /> I believe that irradiation treatment can be applied <br /> to flowers, to rambutan, papayas, and other exotic fruits that <br /> can be grown in the abandoned sugar cane land. <br /> The Hilo Medical Center, queen's Hospital and other <br /> major hospitals on Oahu, have irradiation treatment facilities, <br /> which are handled by hundreds of workers to treat patients both <br /> local and tourists. With so much earthquakes and tsunamis, these <br /> facilities are built with safety as top priority. <br /> With so much land available, please give the Big Island <br /> farmers the opportunity to be able to export their agricultural <br /> crops. This is the opportunity [{awaii County has been presented <br /> <br /> with to help build our agricultural sector. <br /> You have the power to put the thrust of new life into <br /> the struggling Big Island economy. Your YES vote is needed and <br /> <br /> will be appreciated. <br /> ahalo, ~ <br /> n LlLhl~l~ <br /> `~n,~,l,-~ 21z.15 <br /> Thomas T. Shiroma No <br /> 992-A Puainako St. r <br /> Hilo, HI 96720 bile iVo. rN <br /> ~s~senta <br /> Itaf. Tot-~-- <br /> Ref. [late- ~ ~ f _ , <br /> <br />