HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0212.156 1996-1998 April 24, 1997
Honorable James Arakaki
Chairman, and Members of the
Hawaii County Council
Good morning. My name is Tom Shiroma. I would like
to compare the present agricultural situation with a similar one..way
back in 1940. Waiakea Mill Sugar Plantation was about the first
to go under in the sugar industry. My father was able to acquire
12 acres of the sugar cane land on Puainako Street, across from
the KTA Center, which is at present, the red ginger field.
He and a Mr. Matsumoto were about the first to start
the papaya industry. Because of the changing lifestyle---condominium
and apartment-type living---people started buying papayas.
In those early years, agricultural workers were not
covered under Social Security until Congress enacted the law.
After he became eligible for Social Security, he began raising
Vanda orchids, then a couple of years later, changed to red ginger
flowers, starting with only three rows. People thought he was
crazy going into papaya and flower business...but he persevered
and managed to pay the property taxes on the 12 acres.
In a few years, the demand for export of papayas and
the red ginger flowers grew and my father expanded the acreage
and was able to hire workers. We have presently expanded our
operation in another area.
I believe that irradiation treatment can be applied
to flowers, to rambutan, papayas, and other exotic fruits that
can be grown in the abandoned sugar cane land.
The Hilo Medical Center, queen's Hospital and other
major hospitals on Oahu, have irradiation treatment facilities,
which are handled by hundreds of workers to treat patients both
local and tourists. With so much earthquakes and tsunamis, these
facilities are built with safety as top priority.
With so much land available, please give the Big Island
farmers the opportunity to be able to export their agricultural
crops. This is the opportunity [{awaii County has been presented
with to help build our agricultural sector.
You have the power to put the thrust of new life into
the struggling Big Island economy. Your YES vote is needed and
will be appreciated.
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Thomas T. Shiroma No
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Hilo, HI 96720 bile iVo. rN
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