HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0366.007 2014-2016To: The Hawaii County Council
Regarding: New Contracting Procedures.
July 21, 2015
Greetings,
COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY Cr HAWAII
2015 JUL 21 All 10* 4`J
My name is David Schell and I am the General Manager of Island Princess Macadamia Nut
Company in Kea'au. I am also a volunteer director and an officer for the Puna Soil and Water
Conservation District. I would like to encourage you to continue providing the support for the
Conservation Districts located on the Island.
P1Co NOT -L
(SES. 216-15
COW Oka
Hawaii County plays a substantial role in providing local produce and meat to the state and is the
primary source of macadamia, which, over the years, has become a cultural icon and is regularly
associated with the Hawaiian experience. It is and will continue to be in the county's best
interest to provide whatever support it can to the agricultural community and, contributing to the
work of the SWCD's is unquestionably the most productive and cost efficient way to do that.
The SWCD's provide the conduit through which farmers can gain access to Federal Government
funds for improving their operations, recovering from disasters and benefiting from any number
of programs designed to enhance sustainability in rural communities. Through its system of
designated cooperators, districts can provide technical support ranging from water management
to soil fertility and even protection of cultural antiquities. In Hawaii County, the SWCD's also
serve a role in monitoring and managing grubbing and grading practices.
Since most USDA funds cannot be used for administrative activities, the county's support for the
"nuts and bolts" of the SWCD's is critical to their survival and prosperity. Millions of dollars in
Federal funds for agribusiness have come to Hawaii over the years almost exclusively due to the
work of the SWCD's and their partner counties.
Please vote to allow the Department of R&D to award the 2015 contract to the governing body of
the county's SWCD. We, who are associated with the districts, greatly appreciate the help you
give us and hope to continue our association and our mutual efforts to improve the quality of life
in Hawaii.
Thank you kindly.
Comm. No.
3t&-1
Ref. To• GOube, if
David Schell tpf. Date JUL 2A-2015—_
GM, IP, Kea'au
16-261 Shipman Road, P.O. Box 340, Keaau HI 96749
Phone(808)966-7451 Fax(808)966-8507