HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-02-25 Letter to Donovan M. Dela Cruz, Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran, Karl Rhoads and Jarrett Keohokalole SB 2282, SD1 Relating to Agriculture Roy Takemoto
;•4oJ�ir of p;�,' Managing Director
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•Harry Kim : +' `_ ,�, '••
1fayor •e ,: _ Barbara J.Kossow
�•r� �0Deputy Managing Director
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County of Hawaii
Office of the Mayor
25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553
KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
(808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440
February 25, 2020
Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz, Chair
Senator Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran, Vice Chair
Committee on Ways and Means
Senator Karl Rhoads, Chair
Senator Jarrett Keohokalole, Vice Chair
Committee on Judiciary
Dear Chairs Dela Cruz and Rhoads, Vice Chairs Keith-Agaran and Keohokalole, and Committee
Members:
RE: SB 2282, SDI Relating to Agriculture
SB 2282, SD1 does not have a preamble, but its contents reflect the vulnerabilities agriculture
has to theft and vandalism. Our news media has documented farmers who have gone out of
business because of their losses, and the problem seems to get worse year by year.
The Hawaii County Prosecuting Attorney's office has had an investigator working on
agricultural crimes, and we have received positive comments from the agriculture community about
their work. We therefore believe that a statewide program is warranted, based on the results
achieved on the Big Island. As to whether a new program needs to be established within the
Department of Agriculture, I defer to the wisdom of this Committee. Especially if the DOA does not
welcome having such a new program, a more efficient and effective approach could be for the
Department of Agriculture to contract with County prosecutors, or for this Legislature to fund county
prosecutors directly.
Whatever your decision, we support the idea of a statewide, state-funded, anti-theft program,
and urge favorable consideration of SB 2282, SD1.
Respectfully Submitted,
:,1/9//7- Imo`
Harry Kim
MAYOR
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.