The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutRES 052 Draft 01 1988-1992OFFICE INFORMATION ONLY Meeting: A'Iay 3 , 19 8 9 Action: Recommend adoption of Resolution 52-89. Re: Res. 52-89/IGP.C-14 COUNTY OF HAVI!'A, '.~ :'STATE OF HAWAII ...a,:,., ,, RESOLUTION No. 52 89 WHEREAS, the sugar industry has been in continuous production in Hawaii for 154 years; and WHEREAS, the sugar industry activities have provided the foundation and infrastructural requirements for a flourishing diversified agricultural industry in Hawaii; and WHEREAS, the continued economic vitality of the sugar industry is essential for the future of all agricultural crops in Hawaii; and WHEREAS, Hawaii's sugar industry produces 12 percent of the nation's supply of sugar that is available on a reliable basis at fair prices to America's industrial and home users; and WHEREAS, the sugar industry directly employs more than 6,100 men and women, most of whom live and work in Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui counties that depend heavily on agriculture; statewide, the industry creates direct and indirect employment for more than 20,000 people; and WHEREAS, the sugar industry pays out more than $300 million in wages and benefits to its workers and to other businesses for materials, supplies, and services; and WHEREAS, the sugar industry in Hawaii, which at the time received no federal farm support protection, lost $90 million in revenues in 1981 because of having to compete against subsidized foreign sugar; and WHEREAS, federal support through the Farm Bills of 1981 and 1985 have provided Hawaii's sugar industry with a price support program that protects it from unfair competition from artificially priced foreign sugar; and WHEREAS, under this federal support program, which today operates at no cost to U.S, taxpayers, the sugar industry has worked vigorously to recover and withstand the adversities it has faced by becoming increasingly productive and cost efficient; and WHEREAS, if the Farm Bill were not to be renewed or were not to continue to provide the same modest level of support now given to the sugar industry, here and across the nation, the demise of the industry would be a virtual certainty; and WHEREAS, if such demise were to occur, more than $100 million in annual tax revenues would be lost to the state, related businesses and industries would suffer greatly or go defunct, and the environmental ambience of the sweeping green fields of sugarcane would be lost to the tourist industry; and WHEREAS, Hawaii's counties--especially Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai counties--would suffer, in addition to direct economic losses, economic losses resulting from the chronic long-term unemployment of dislocated workers for whom other employment may not be available; and WHEREAS, the 1985 Farm Bill (PL 99-198), which authorizes programs for commodity price support, agricultural exports and farm credits as well as soil conservation, agricultural research and low income food assistance, expires at the end of 1990; and WHEREAS, Congress is now looking for ways to reduce the deficit and one means under consideration is to reduce farm programs; and WHEREAS, progress is being made in international negotiations to remove agricultural trade subsidies; and WHEREAS, the 1985 Farm Bill set target prices on a downward path which could eventually bring target prices close to market levels, reducing payments to farmers to such low levels that the income-support program might be undermined altogether; WHEREAS, renewal of the Farm Bill with provisions for the continued support of the sugar industry is vital to the economic and social well-being of the state and counties of Hawaii; and WHEREAS, the National Association of Counties (NACo) has consistently supported continued funding of the Farm Bill at current levels; and WHEREAS, Hawaii County as a member of NACo has a large stake in the continued funding of the Farm Bill. -2- NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that it urges Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Senator Spark Matsunaga; Congressman Daniel Akaka, and Congresswoman Patricia Saiki, the Hawaii State Association of Counties; Hawaii Sugar Planters Association and the National Association of Counties to support extension of the 1985 Farm Bill (PL-99-198). BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the County of Hawaii transmit this Resolution to the Honorable Daniel K. Inouye and the Honorable Spark M. Matsunaga, United States Senate; the Honorable Daniel K. Akaka and the Honorable Patricia Saiki, United States House of Representatives; the Hawaii State Association of Counties; to the National Association of Counties; and the Hawaii Sugar Planters Association. Dated at Hilo, Hawaii, this 3rd day of May , 1989. INTRODUCED BY: _ _ . q'c.~'P~t.,c~ ,,, 0 n , COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWTII COUNTY COUNCIL County of Hawaii Hilo, Hawaii 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 May 3 , 19 8 9 ATTEST: /( COUNTY CLERK CHAIRMAN & PR SIDING OFFICER ROLL CALL VOTE AYES NOES ABS EX DOMINGO X HALE INOUYE KOKUBUN LA[ X MAKUAKANE ~{ RUDDLE X SCHUTTE X YAMASHIRO Reference IGRC-14 RESOLUTION NO. S2i $9 RUSSELL S.KOKUBUN Chairman & Presiding Officer MERLE K LAI Vice-Chairwoman CD~I~~Y C~~J~CIL County of Hawaii Hawaii County Building 25 Auquni Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 May 8, 1989 The Honorable Daniel K. Inouye United States Senator 722 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D. C. 20510 Enclosed is a copy of Resolution No. 52-89 which was adopted by the Council of the County of Hawaii on May 3, 1989. ~_ , hn A. Wagner OUNTY CLERK TAKASHI DOMINGO HELENS H. HALE LORRAINE R. INOUYE ROBERT H. MAKUAKANE HARRY S. RUDDLE SPENCER K. SCHUTTE STEPHEN K. YA~fASHIRO Encl. The Honorable Spark M. Matsunaga United States Senator 109 Hart Senate Office Bldg. Washington, D. C. 20510 The Honorable Daniel K. Akaka United States Representative 2301 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D. C. 20515 The Honorable Patricia Saiki United States Representative 1407 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D. C. 20515 P4r. James J. Snyder, Pres. NACo - Plational Assoc. of Counties 440 1st St., N. W. Washington, D. C. 20001 Tflr. Goro Hokama, Pres. Hacaaii State Assoc. of Counties - HSPC 200 South High St. Y,Tailuku, T?aui, HI 96793 Hawaiian Suaar Planters Pssoc. 99-193 Aiea Heights Dr. Aiea, HI 96701 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON INTER-GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS Date: April 25, 1989 Place: Councilroom Time: 1:30 p.m. Chairman and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Your Committee on Inter-Governmental Relations, to which was referred Resolution 52-89, relating to the federally enacted 1985 Farm Bill (PL-99-198), reports as follows: The purpose of this resolution is to urge the Hawaii State Association of Counties, the National Association of Counties, and our Congressional delegation to support extending the funding for the 1985 Farm Bill (PL-99-198) which will lapse in 1990. This bill, as enacted by Congress, provides Hawaii's sugar industry with a price support program that protects it from unfair competition from artificially priced foreign sugar. This federal support program, if it is not renewed or if it is not given the same level of support now given to the sugar industry, could result in the demise of the sugar industry as we know it today. Your Committee has been informed that Kauai Councilman Ron Kouchi, HSAC's representative to NACO's Agricultural and Rural Affairs Steering Committee, will urge HSAC to adopt this resolution at its general membership meeting to be held June 29 & 30, 1989. Your Committee believes it is timely to direct the attention of both HSAC and NACO to the importance of the Farm Bill to Hawaii County and to the State of Hawaii, and to urge support for the continued funding of the Farm Bill (PL-99-198). in addition, your Committee is requesting our Congressional delegation to support the Farm Bill funding. Your Committee on inter-Governmental Relations concurs with the intent and purpose of Resolution 52-89 and recommends its adoption. r e ~', ENE H. HALF ROBERT H. MAKUAKANE, VICE CHR. (ABSENT & EXCUSED) TAKASHI DOMINGO, MEMBER LA/KK IGR REPORT No, 14 ADOPTED: IJIAY ~ 19$3 SY~{ f t°f~-.-e-.-` __~ OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK HAWAII COUNTY BUILDING COUNTY OF HAWAII HILO, HAWAII 96740 May 3, 1989 Refer: Bill 82 To: Mayor Bernard K. Akana Re: Papaikou Gym The following is the action of the Hawaii County Council adopted at its meeting held today , Approve and adopt Committee on Finance Report No. 54. COUNTY CLERK xc: Finance Director Parks & Recreation Director Chief Engineer REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Date: April 25, 1989 Place: Councilroom Time: 10:00 a.m. Chairman and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill 82, reports as follows: The purpose of Bill 82 is to amend Ordinance 88-81, the Capital Improvement Budget for Fiscal Year 1988-89, by adding the following project: PAPAIKOU GYM $150.,000 Funds for this project shall be provided from the Unallotted Appropriations of General Fund Transfer account (2233.00). According to the Parks and Recreation Department, the project has begun with grading work now in progress. This amount will complete Phase I and prepare itself for the construction phase of the project. Parks & Recreation Director Larry Tanimoto reaffirmed to the Committee on Finance at the last meeting that funds are necessary for the ultimate completion of the project. Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the intent and purpose of Bill 82 and recommends that it pass first reading. i `~ //ff'~ HELE E H. HALE, VICE CHR. MERLE ~.AI, MEMB,F~ TA ASHI DO I GO, M MBER EPHEN K. ASHIRO, LA/TY FC REPORT i~0. 54 AIIOPTED: ~'~aY 3 1984