HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0150.062 2012-2014 A P 4
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Hawaii Floriculture & Nursery Association
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Testimony for the Special Meeting �
Hawai'i County Council <-.4
25 Aupuni Street -an
Hilo, Hawai'i a .ar''t
Monday, May 13, 2013
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8:00 a.m.
Regarding Operating Budget for the County of Hawai'i
for the Fiscal year July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014
My name is Eric S. Tanouye and I am the current President for the Hawaii Floriculture and
Nursery Association. HFNA is a statewide umbrella organization with approximately 300 members.
Our membership is made up with breeders, hybridizers,propagators, growers, shippers,wholesalers,
retailers, educators, and the allied industry,which supports our efforts in agriculture. In 2011 our
industry's sales were approximately 70 million in sales and of these sales approximately 60% are from
the Big Island, sales that help inject money into our local economy.
Thank you Chairperson J Yoshimoto,Vice-Chairperson Karen Eoff and the entire Council for
your past support of the Research and Development Department and in particular your support for
Agriculture, Floriculture and Ornamentals. We would like to ask for your approval and support for the
following items on the Operating Budget:
• Budget increase for R&D spending
• The Ag Specialist position
• Agriculture initiatives
• Replenishment of the Soil and Water Conservation Districts to this year's allotment.
If you have any questions at this time, I would be happy to discuss them and can be reached by
phone at 808-959-3535 ext 22, cell 960-1433 and email erica greenpointnursery.com.
Supporting Agy �lture'iand Hawaii,
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E S. Tanouye `'
President
Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association
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