HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0363.010 1996-1998
J
HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL July 22,1997
The monocropping of eucalyptus on
the Hamakua coast is NOT sustainable;
rather it exemplifies the opposite. And
since eucalyptus is 900 of the proposal
for the county and state lands, then
only l00 of the proposed lands would be
used for true forestry.
The eucalyptus project is being
called agroforestry. Lest we forget, a
forest consists of, not stumps, but,
trees, a permanent production base of
trees.
To rename current destructive ~ RECENED
Tlme..__ By..__.___
ag r i c u t u r a l practices such a s
clearcutting as sustainability or ~
agroforestry does not eliminate the
damage they cause. Tourists could stay
home and see stumps, scarred hills, and
mismanaged ag lands.
Eucalyptus proponents have stated
that this proposal is for a relatively
small area of usable lands. It doesn't
take a genius to see that the foot in
the door would lead to a rapid
swallowing of Big Island lands.
Let's just tell the truth here. This
eucalyptus project from the beginning
has been billed as something it is not,
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1!e(. 7ot_ Presentees NSd,ED(.
Ref. Date d1L 2 2 1997
and has been publicly opposed by many
knowledgeable foresters and experienced
local farmers. Why bring in outside
interests for the benefit of a few,
thereby denying our local populace the
conditions for true sustainability ?
By whose values and wisdom are these
important decisions being made ? What
justifies the loss of Hawaii to
eucalyptus ? Hawaii economists said on
the radio this week that the ONLY thing
which could save Hawaii's faltering
economy is DIVERSIFIED agriculture.
That's the OPPOSITE of monocropping -
look it up.
Let's not export our fertility and
opportunities. This is a chance to turn
around eras of plantation abuse - to
support a viable BROAD-BASED economy
instead. Let's not waste it.
Annie Prosser
~'n,-72.,~E,.~ U" ~
Dean Prosser
Paauilo