Bibliographies

With high yield orchards already in production, the prospects for Hawaii's tropical fruit industry hinge on essential infrastructure-post-harvest treatment and air freight capacity.

For nearly 50 years, many fresh fruits and vegetables grown in Hawaii have been subject to federal quarantine prohibiting export to the U.S. mainland because of the possibility of fruit fly infestation. Four varieties of fruit fly-Mediterranean, Oriental, Malaysian and melon fly-thrive in Hawaii. Much ongoing research has investigated strategies for fruit fly eradication in the state. Presently, there is broad agreement that an all-out eradication effort will be a difficult, costly undertaking and may take decades to accomplish.

Meanwhile, for over 20 years, the Agriculture Research Service (ARS) in Hilo has pioneered the development of "hot" and "cold" phytosanitary treatments for fruit fly-host crops. Such treatments, notably hot vapor and double-dip for papaya, have registered some success, but are not commercially suitable for other fresh fruits and vegetables.

Gamma irradiation technology for fruit fly disinfestation offers a new tool for Hawaii farmers. Approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration in 1986, irradiation is a tested and efficient means to treat a number of exotic tropical fruits and other crops subject to quarantine restrictions. Establishment of a commercial irradiator in East Hawaii also brings new jobs for truckers, air freight handlers, packers, ARS and university researchers, and marketing specialists.

With already appropriated funding and support from the State of Hawaii Department of Transportation, Hilo's underutilized international airport is poised to become a major air cargo consolidation center for the shipment of fresh fruit, foliage, cut flowers and other exports. Driven by the quality and abundance of Hawaii's farm products, Hilo can become the statewide hub of a dynamic new export economy.

That prospectus-and vision-prompted Hawaii County Mayor Stephen Yamashiro to meet with executives of Isomedix, Inc. in January 1997 to explore their interest in building an irradiation treatment plant in East Hawaii.

Since 1995, Isomedix has provided post-harvest processing services for Hawaii-grown fruit at its irradiator in Morton Grove, Illinois.

Over 50 shipments totaling 120,000 pounds of fresh papaya, rambutan, lychee, starfruit, mango, atemoya and other Hawaii fruit have been shipped in sealed cartons to Chicago. There, the fruit has been treated successfully to sterilize any fruit fly eggs and larvae, and subsequently marketed in Illinois, Ohio, New York, Indiana, Florida, Texas, California and Washington.

Consumer acceptance of irradiated Hawaiian fruit-prominently labeled in mainland retail markets-has been uniformly excellent. "Customers appreciate the quality and freshness of Hawaii-grown products," states Dr. Lyle Wong of the Hawaii Department of Agriculture. "Our challenge is to reliably keep up with demand."

The Hawaii trial project required approval from the USDA's Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), coupled with support and coordination from local growers and wholesalers, the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources, Isomedix, Inc., and many mainland markets and distributors.

The two-year pilot project proved the feasibility of irradiation as a commodity quarantine treatment. It also demonstrated the critical need to establish a processing facility in Hawaii, where fresh produce can be treated immediately after harvest and shipped directly to mainland markets. Air freight capacity to Chicago, subject to bumped flights during holidays, is limited. Total transshipment costs, as much as $1.50/lb. added burdensome costs to distributors of Hawaiian fruit.

As the pilot project progressed on the mainland, support for construction of an in-state post-harvest facility grew in Hawaii. Hawaii's Democratic Party passed a resolution calling for a Hawaii-based facility at its statewide convention in 1996. In his January 21, 1997 State of the State address, Hawaii Governor Benjamin Cayetano declared: "To help our farmers export their product to the mainland and foreign countries, the state and County of Hawaii will work together to build an irradiation facility in Hilo."

Additional endorsement has come from the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers Cooperative, ILWU Local 142, Big Island Nurserymen's Association, Hawaii Florists and Shippers Association, Big Island Business Council, Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce, Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Hilo's newspaper, the Hawaii Tribune-Herald.

In March 1997, Mayor Yamashiro proposed a $2 million bond issue for development of a post-harvest facility in Hawaii County. The measure was taken up by the Hawaii County Council in April. After three day-long public meetings in April and May, the Council approved the funding bill on May 20, 1997 by a vote of 7-2. The following day, Isomedix CEO John Masefield announced board approval for company funding to construct the irradiation plant in East Hawaii.

"This will lessen the burden on Hawaii County to fund the project," Masefield stated. "We are committed to a responsible working partnership with Hawaii County and Hawaii's farmers," he added.

Private construction of the irradiation plant will allow Hawaii County to steer funds to marketing, crop development, promotion, research and related infrastructure. "These are familiar and tradition forms of county support for our agricultural exports," Mayor Yamashiro noted.

Presently, Isomedix is conducting site negotiations with landowners in East Hawaii. The sites under consideration are not located in tsunami (tidal wave) flood zones. When site negotiations are concluded, Isomedix will submit a licensing application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to build and operate the facility.