HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1127.003 2016-2018 06/03/2013 10:45 8083299729 WAKEFIELD AND SONS Mound'
COW. 1127
C.,.
Dear County Council Members, Oct. 15, 2018 C-4
--11 -
•Our state's Hawaii Avocado Association (HAA) strongly supports Resolution 728. .4 s"
Several avocado farmers have had their farms severely affected by the Kilauea Fs
Volcano eruption of May 2nd Since the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance — )'c
Program (NAP) was instituted to help farmers recover from natural disasters, this
program would be ideal for our farmers, but with the maximum cap of$125,000,
this would not be enough for many to restart, or rehabilitate their orchards.
Our previous president of the avocado association "had" a successful and
profitable avocado orchard, grossing over $100,000 from his 20 acre, about
1,000 avocado tree, family farm. Most of his farm, Kapoho Farms, was
inundated with lava, leaving only about 5 acres. This remaining acreage was
defoliated by the acid rain produced by the eruption. His orchard is now
inaccessible. This was their sole source of income. The family is now unsure as
to what they can do, but are thinking that one day they would be able to access
their 5 acres and continue to farm avocado; they have farmed avocado for
decades.
There have been many other farmers that were wiped out by lava inundation and
defoliation due to the Kilauea eruption. Kapoho Farms is just an example.
PLEASE adopt Resolution 728, which would waive the NAP cap as this is
certainly a particularly dire situation, that has not only impacted our island's
economy, but also the livelihood and lifestylye of our farming community.
Sincerely and with aloha,
John App
President of the Hawaii Avocado Association
PO Box 925
Kealakekua, HI 96750
Comm. No. 111 .3
Ref.To: P leounU(
Ref. Date OCT 1 7 Z0118