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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0212.186 1996-1998 H 1 CA HAWAII ISLAND CONTRACTOR&`-AS8QCIATION 494 C KALANIKOA STREET HILO, HAWAII 96720 TELEPHONE (808) 935-1316 Thu~~a~P~p~i1~4,~1~9~ 25 HONORABLE CHAIR AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS CCU?\ - COUNT ( U, HAWAII It is the position of The Hawaii Island Contractors' Association that food irradiation is 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 commbtlity 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 facility 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 in our county, 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 the irradiation! 1 cn~„«.. ~0.212.1~fV xa. FNS C1P Prasenred Ref. To:_ Ref. I?ate__ APR 2 r _ 199j_ w H 1 CA HAWAII ISLAND CONTRACTORS' ASSOCIATION 494 C KALANIKOA STREET HILO, HAWAII 96720 TELEPHONE (808) 935-1316 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. 2) Health and Safety -Irradiation saves lives. 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. 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 an economic stimulus. Let us take a bold stand for our families, our friends, and our future. The Hawaii Island Contractors' Association requests passage of this measure. Thank you Mr. Chair, Committee, People of Hawaii. Hugh H. Willocks, President, The Hawaii Island Contractors' Assocation 2