HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-04-10 Letter to Glenn Wakai, Brian T. Taniguchi, Mike Gabbard and Russell E. Ruderman HCR 107 Relating to a Statewide Program to Address Agricultural Theft (2)
County of Hawai‘i
Office of the Mayor
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County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
Wil Okabe
Managing Director
Harry Kim
Mayor
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
April 10, 2019
Senator Glenn Wakai, Chair
Senator Brian T. Taniguchi, Vice Chair
Committee on Energy, Economic Development and Tourism
Senator Mike Gabbard, Chair
Senator Russell E. Ruderman, Vice Chair
Committee on Agriculture and Environment
Dear Chairs Wakai and Gabbard, Vice Chairs Taniguchi and Ruderman, and Committee Members:
RE: HCR 107 Relating to a Statewide Program to Address Agricultural Theft
For about a year, the Hawaiʻi County Prosecuting Attorney’s office has had an investigator working on
agricultural crimes, and we have received positive comments from the agriculture community about his work.
This Resolution highlights the vulnerabilities agriculture has to theft and vandalism, and our news media has
documented farmers who have gone out of business because of their losses.
We are hoping that continued state funding for the program on Hawaiʻi Island will be provided in SB
759, but also believe that a statewide program is warranted, based on the results achieved on the Big Island.
Therefore, we fully support HCR 107.
Respectfully Submitted,
Harry Kim
MAYOR