1 - American Memory

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Kanoelenua Inuustrial Area Association
Honorable Shunlchl Kimura, Mayor
Cotmty of Hawaii
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Dear Mayor Kimura:
I9U Holomua Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
May 30, 1973
We woxild commend the efforts of your Office in the
matter of West Coast transportation disputes. We strongly
urge the passage of U.S. Senate Bill #1566 and U.S. House
of Representatives Bill #7189. We also urge very serious
consideration of U.S; Senate Bill #1567, and support
passage of this Bill, providing eventually for all labor
contracts in the longshore and maritime industries to last
three years and to expire on the same date.
Members of our Association, as you are aware, represent
basic industries such as manufacturing, assembly, construction,
supply and services. Our 115 member-firms employ some 1,000
wage earners for their 1,000 families on our Big Island. As
managers-owners, it is essential that there be control available
to us over as many factors of production as possible,I.E.
source of raw materials, capital, labor, operational systems
and transportation. The enactment of these Bills will go
toward offering us this greater control.
During any pre-strike preparation period inventories •
must be enlarged, reouiring yet greater use of debt equity,
storage and warehousing. In terms of priorities of cargo
moved to Hawaii during these periods industrial, agricultural
and construction materials rate very low as their position
in the flow of goods is sacrified to other items of a more
virgent nature. This low priority to our goods also applies
following a V/est Coast dock tie-up as early, available
cargo space is devoted to more critical goods. These delays
following such a tie-up period can be in the neighborhood of
60 days following an opening of the docks.
The numerous causes-effects of West Coast transportation
disputes are also felt in the home construction industry.
The aggregate effect of such disputes on home construction
costs is reflected in an additional increase of $1,800 per
single-family dwelling btiilt during or immediately following
a transportation dispute. The Island of Hawaii already suffers
from a vital shortage of low-income housing, houses of less
than $30,000. These disputes removes even further the right
and opportunity for people to own their own home.