HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 071 Draft 01 1996-1998
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COUNTY OF HAWAII
STATE OF HAWAII
RESOLUTION NO. 71 ~L
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION OF A
PRIVATE POST HARVEST TREATMENT FACILITY IN THE COUNTY OF HAWAII
WHEREAS, the island of Hawaii produces over 60 percent of the state's diversified crops; and
WHEREAS, through the perseverance and commitment of agriculturists and its support network,
the island of Hawaii is seeing the development of new, commercially-viable diversified crops
such as lychee, rambutan, longan, papaya, mango, abiu, tangelo, star fruit, atemoya, cherimoya
and durian; and
WHEREAS, commercial viability depends upon numerous factors, including labor, marketing,
land and development costs, transportation, weather, processing techniques, and export markets;
and
WHEREAS, the continued growth of Hawaii's diversified agricultural industry, particularly
tropical fruits, relies upon the ability of the industry to export to the US mainland where strict
federal quarantine regulations bar the import of fresh produce grown in fruit fly-infested regions
like Hawaii; and
WHEREAS, despite years of research and the application of post-harvest treatment alternatives
like cold storage and hot-water dip treatments, a reliable solution has not met the range of
agricultural commodity demands for marketability; and
WHEREAS, the option of treating certain fruits with low dose gamma rays has been explored
over the years and recent test-protocol shipments of Hawaii-grown fruits treated in a mainland
irradiation facility, marketed and sold to consumers have met with enthusiastic acceptance; and
WHEREAS, the Animal Plan Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has granted approval of
irradiation treatment in Hawaii for papaya, star fruit and lychee and permits are pending for
durian, rambutan, longan, star apple, atemoya and mango; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Research and Development has compiled a list of local crops
needing post harvest treatment and further identifying other potential crops and uses that could
benefit from the post harvest treatment facility (see EXHIBIT A); and
WHEREAS, since 1958 to 1995, the use of food irradiation has been approved by 40 countries,
including the United States, France, Japan and Canada; and
WHEREAS, irradiation has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and the US
Department of Agriculture for controlling insects in wheat and flour (1963), inhibiting sprouting
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in'potatoes (1964), controlling contamination in dried spices and dehydrated vegetable seasonings
(1983), destroying trichina in pork (1985), delaying ripening of fruit and disinfesting fruits and
vegetables of insectS (1986) and controlling foodborne pathogens in poultry (1992); and
WHEREAS, according to the World Health Organization and other health and scientific research
entities, the use of irradiation treatment on foods (1) does not alter food in any way that could
harm people, (2) does not cause food to become radioactive under approved and regulated
treatment conditions, (3) does not cause long-term health effects or health risks;'and (4) does not
adversely affect the nutritional value of food any more than other food processing and
preservation methods (canning, freezing, etc); and
WHEREAS, the construction and operation of food irradiation facilities and the transport of
radioactive fuel must meet stringent federal and state regulations. '
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF
HAWAII that it supports the responsible development and construction of a private post harvest
treatment facility in the County of Hawaii and recognizes the importance of such a treatment
facility in assisting the exportation of various agricultural commodities in the global marketplace.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Honorable
Stephen K. Yamashiro, Mayor; U.S. Senators Daniel K. Inouye and Daniel K. Akaka; U.S.
Representative Patsy Mink; State Senators and Representatives of the Big Island; Director of
Research and Development Diane Quitiquit; Hawaii Island Economic Development Board; and
the Hawaii Agricultural Promotional Association, State Department of Agriculture Chairman
James Nakatani, University of Hawaii's College of Tropical Agriculture.
Dated at Hilo, Hawaii, this , 1997.
COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawaii
Hilo, Hawaii
ROLL CALL VOTE
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by the
vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the
County of Hawaii on
AYES NOES ADS EX
ARAKAKI
CHUNG
LEITHEAD- TODD
RAY
REYNOLDS
SANTANGEW
SMITH
TYLER
YAGONG
A'ITEST:
Reference
C-212:05/FC
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,71"
COUNTY CLERK
" 'CHAIRMAN'&; PRESIDING OFFICER
RESOLUTION NO.
97