HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0931.010 1996-1998
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Csb~M/TTY D/~~ `rte - ' ~C~CJf~~2 ~ !~Y~JG ~S i / / /
For years, since the plantations shut 4>~I~~
down, Hawaii has grappled with the issue r~k~'- <~<~~~,~
of how to get our people back to work ~ti~tt~
and back to the land.
I remember plantation life, living at
Ama Ulu Camp 5, watching the planting
and harvesting of sugar cane. I
remember the broken windshield and muddy
truck I drove following the slow-moving
cane trucks through Hamakua
And I also remember the proud people who
worked hard to make ends meet, and to
raise their kids. The hope they had for
their children's futures. They were
drivers of big rigs, mechanics,
planters, harvesters, welders,
machinists.
They were working men and women, island
people with hopes and dreams. They
wanted their children to stay home, to
grow up here, have grandchildren here,
to share their lives together.
No, plantations weren't the answer to
everything, but they were at least an
answer. Well, plantation life is gone
now - and many of our children are too. 93/•/0
Cooani No.._.-,_
~resenfed CevNc-. ~
{ief, Tol--
Q_, r,,,,. !WG 5 1998
Lack of jobs has forced them to move
away, to find new roots, leaving parents
and grandparents behind.
Those plantation workers lost their jobs
and turned to others for help and
direction and new beginnings. Once
again, they turned to the land, to what
they knew, to grow crops, to use their
skills, to work until their backs ached
and their hands were sore, to toil and
hopefully profit. They began again and
it is all of our responsibilities to
ensure they succeed.
We need to reward our farmers with the
tools they need to fulfill their dreams.
A way to the market, a way to the
success we all strive for. Away to
enjoy the fruits of their labors. Away
to give their children a reason to stay
home and to share a life in family
farming, Big Island style.
Hawaii has a wonderful opportunity. The
introduction of safe technology for the
post-harvest treatment of a developing
quilt of tropical fruits and produce.
All over our island, people have
returned to the land to raise cattle,
flowers, fruits, and vegetables,
supplying foods for our islands and
markets around the world.
We need the tools to accomplish these
goals! Open the door to technology and
let Hawaii do its part in supplying a
hungry world with healthy, safe foods.
To those who ask how will we compete?
the answer is with hard work,
dedication, quality, and pride, and
with the right tool we will not only
compete, we will excel.
38 countries irradiate over 200 food
items. We come in contact with many of
them every day. 20 countries irradiate
spice, 15 irradiate garlic, 12 irradiate
herbs, 27 irradiate onion, 26 irradiate
potato, including Japan. Nearly 100
surgical and medical products are
irradiated. 41 consumer products as
well as food packaging, bee hives and
pollen, peat moss, rawhide dog toys, and
tennis strings are all irradiated.
Irradiation facilities in the US have
remarkable safety records with not one
fatality attributed to their operation.
We are parents too and are equally
concerned about the safety of ourselves,
our neighbors, our children, and your
children. Friends of Agriculture
support the construction of a safe
irradiator.
Vote to reject this ordinance change
that targets our farmers and would
destroy this wonderful opportunity.
Just say no.