HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0393.323 2012-2014 W.H. Shipman
Limited
November 14, 2013
Chair Yoshimoto, Vice-Chair Eoff, and Council Members C)
County Council, County of Hawaii o
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1402
Hilo, Hawaii 96720 co i'
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RE: Bill #113
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Dear Council Members:
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For more than 130 years W. H. Shipman, Limited has been an active member of the
farming community on the Island of Hawaii either as ranchers or as landowners
supporting and providing land to active farms—and often both. We have worked with
farmers through times that have been both good and bad,providing a helping hand
whenever that has been asked or called for. Like you,we have a deep and abiding
admiration for the men and women who have given their time, their resources and
virtually all that they have to ensure a vibrant agricultural community on this island.
We have all seen through one prism or another our farmers struggle through pestilence,
drought, flood, difficult to impossible economic times and more. Through all of this we
have gained a deep respect for the work these men and women do—for their long hours,
for their careful study and for their dedication. But now comes a different and, frankly,
unsettling difficulty to overcome: government action that will over time cause deep and
abiding damage to our agricultural industry and to the livelihood of our small farmers.
This threat is so clear to our farmers and ranchers that in a highly unusual act they have
joined together in a hui representing nearly 90%of the agricultural production on this
island to oppose Bill#113. Think of this—over 90% of the production on this island
stands in strong opposition to what is before you today!
While the discussion at hand has focused itself against a handful of multinationals,the
actual damage on the ground—the actual damage to the industry on this island—is to
small businesses operating only on this island. It is of no small significance that these
farmers and ranchers are backed in their analysis of the safety of their products by
Academies of Science of the most advanced Countries on the planet.
Make no mistake: the decision this Council makes, if it passes this law, will have long
and enduring repercussions. The intended and unintended results will ripple through this
community for years to come.
Comm. No 3 . 23
16-523 Keaau-Pahoa Road Keaau,HI 96749 Cc.L41,
Ref. To:
tel.:808.966.9325 • fax:808.966.8522 Ref. Date y 'V 1 l
www.whshipman.com
Confidential Page 1 11/14/13
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W.H.Shipman
Limited
There are many ways to phrase the decision before you. In essence, however, it comes
down to a question of whether—within this island community—you trust our
professional farmers and our scientists or whether you follow others down the long road
of unfounded fears. When you look for answers,when you consider decisions in
agriculture—how do you weigh the opinions of our professionals? How do you weigh
their concerns and what they are saying to you very directly?
In ending, I ask that you weigh heavily the testimony of our agriculture community, the
men and women,the small businesses who have and continue to struggle to provide for
their families and this island through their hard work—guided by the scientific
community.
Sincerely,
r
Bill Walter
President
16-523 Keaau-Pahoa Road Keaau,HI 96749
tel.:808.966.9325 • fax:808.966.8522
www.whshipman.com
Confidential Page 2 11/14/13