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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0931.015 1996-1998 Hawaii Hotel Association Kona Board of Realtors Hawaii Island Board of Realtors Big Island Business Council Kohala Coast Resort Association Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce Hawaii Island Restaurant Association Hawaii Island Contractors' Association Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce Hawaii island Economic Development Board Kanoelehua Industrial Area Association Hawaii Island Portuguese Chamber of Commerce Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaii C (t 141 jj Mr. James Y. Arakaki August 5, 1 98 Chairman, County Council County of Hawaii 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Re: INITIATIVE PETITION of Parents Against Irradiation Dear Chairman Arakaki and members of the Hawaii County Council: My name is Tony Hanley and I am President of the Big Island Business Council and represent business for the Friends of Agriculture-Hawaii. I urge you to vote NO on petitioners request to ammend the Hawaii County Code. While I applaud the right of citizens to exercise their democratic rights and recognize that people have a right to reject irradiation on its face, I don't have the same feelings for those who scare the public with untruths and misleading statements. The Hawaii Island Economic Development Board presented some excellent public forums on irradition, particularly in regards to facts that the products irradiated are not affected and the operation is conducted safely. There are many experts here today who have or will testify to the affect of irradiation and the safe construction of a facility, so my presentation rests on the issue of do we allow opportunities for our farm community or other users of this process or do we stop all development. Irradiation has been proven to be safe, both from a construction point as well as a process. This issue then, goes beyond just an irradiation issue, but addresses the core of our ability to ensure that our island has some economic future. I urge this Council to step forward and vote NO on this petition, so that the message can be heard..and we will proceed with providing the honest facts to the voting public of this county so that a rational decision can be made by them at the polls. Thankyou for this opportunity to express our views on this subject. comm. File No. Presented fief. AUG 5 1998