01-11-2012, 02:40 AM
Let's clarify this -- "closing the Hilo office" does not mean what you might think. If you read the article and subsequent references, they are NOT closing the Hilo APHIS office. That would effectively shut down the East Hawaii floral/foliage trade, and any fruit exports as well. They'd have to be stupid to do that as Japan was just opened to our papaya industry. Closing APHIS would terminate our ability to ship our nursery plants internationally.
What they ARE shutting down is the Hilo RD office -- that's research and development office. Not that I like the idea of losing that office that benefits the Big Island, but it is a much better choice. It could well be run more centrally and still continue to do good things in the future.
Jane Adams
White Cloud Nursery
What they ARE shutting down is the Hilo RD office -- that's research and development office. Not that I like the idea of losing that office that benefits the Big Island, but it is a much better choice. It could well be run more centrally and still continue to do good things in the future.
Jane Adams
White Cloud Nursery