< 2022 Candidate Questionnaire Hawaii County is the preeminent agricultural county in the state, but the County does not have a separate County Department of Agriculture. Will you pledge to work for creating such a department to support farmers—and, in particular, to support farmer efforts to combat recently introduced invasive pests like Coffee Berry Borer,…
< 2022 Candidate Questionnaire Kona’s coffee farmers recognize and very much appreciate the unanimous adoption last fall of County Council Resolution No. 223-21 asking the Legislature to change the 10% coffee blend labeling law to a minimum of 51%. As farmer efforts for coffee labeling reform continue, what do you believe the County Council can…
< 2022 Candidate Questionnaire Because of COVID, the Legislature set up a system for testimony at committee hearings via Zoom. For neighbor island residents, this system for live virtual testimony (like what the Alaska Legislature and the Hawaii County Council have had in place for years) allowed Kona residents to give testimony in 2021 and…
< 2022 Candidate Questionnaire The Hawaii Department of Agriculture has said repeatedly over the last number of years that its budget has been cut so drastically that it cannot perform the various tasks assigned to it by the Legislature. The HDOA’s share of the State’s annual budget is less than one-half of one percent (<.005).…
< 2022 Candidate Questionnaire The 2022 legislative session mandated an economic impact study of the 10% blend law on Kona and other Hawaiian coffee farmers. Will you support the prompt completion of that study and a thorough airing of its contents? Will you support reform of Hawaii’s 10% blend law? And what will you pledge…
< 2022 Candidate Questionnaire Question: When we fly to the mainland, USDA agents scan luggage and remove fruits, vegetables and other plant material to prevent damage to mainland farms. When we fly into Hawaii, there is a voluntary disclosure system and “Amnesty Bins”–and no involvement on the part of the USDA. What are your ideas…
< 2022 Candidate Questionnaire Question: In recent years invasive species such as Coffee Berry Borer, Coffee Leaf Rust, and Avocado Lace Bug have been introduced into Hawaii and are drastically reducing the income of farmers. What can you do to bring federal funds or subsidies directly to farmers to combat these destructive new agricultural pests?…
< 2022 Candidate Questionnaire Question: In a federal court class action lawsuit, Kona coffee farmers have recovered more than $15 million in settlement payments from companies accused of marketing fraudulent Kona coffee. More effective than lawsuits, however, would be active enforcement of fair labeling laws by the FDA. What ideas do you have to accomplish…