HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1127.005 2016-2018 p/cotiocii
COMM, ( 127
From: ted@ frankomaps.com on behalf of Ted Coombs
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Testimony in support of Resolution 728
Date: Tuesday,October 09,2018 8:21:47 AM
Ted Coombs
PO Box 636
Kurtistown, HI 96760
(808) 769-0154
c.c.)
tc@tedcoombs.com
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October 9, 2018 0' cp.<
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Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street _ _-
Hilo, HI 96720
RE: In Support of Resolution 728
Greetings to the Honorable Members of the Hawaii County Council,
I am the former business manager for Alohilani Orchid Farms in Kapoho. After my tenure I
remained in close contact with the business owner who later started Orchids Paradise,
which sadly was next to Green Lake in Kapoho and was completely destroyed.
The financial recovery cap on the Noninsured Crop Disasters Assistance Program (NAP)
makes insufficient funds available for farmers who can not recover through a simple
replanting of their crops. Specifically, orchids are more like trees where a multi-year
growing cycle is required before the plants or their flowers can be harvested and sold.
Additionally, it was not mere coincidence that Kapoho was home to many orchid farms with
its conducive climate. For these farmers to relocate and start the long process of starting
their crops again so that Hawaii's orchid industry canrecover, the cap must be raised. The
current insurance coverage is insufficient to even replace the greenhouses and watering
infrastructure required in orchid farming.
Sufficient funding will make it possible for farmers to find new locations where the climate
supports the growing of their crops. Once new farmland is purchased, orchid farmers, in
particular, must begin the multi-year cycle it takes to bring an orchid keiki to maturity. Unlike
other crops that begin with seeds, new orchids are generally started with clones purchased
from around the world. Some of these farms have lost award-winning genetic strains of
plants that can never be recreated. Finding new and competitive strains of orchids is time
consuming and expensive..These plants, once purchased, must be nurtured, housed, fed
and watered for several years before they will yield flowers. Orchid plants are always sold
Comm. No 11115
Ref. To: Plcouncil
Ref. Date OCT 17 2018 .)
flowering and of course the cut flower business requires mature orchids.
I know the cap on the NAP has been raised many times in the program's history, in Hawaii
and on the mainland. I am asking that the County Council to support our State and Federal
representatives in raising the NAP cap to make recovery possible for those impacted in
such a devastating manner. Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Ted Coombs
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