U.S. Senate defeats
anti-sugar proposal

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Star-Bulletin staff

The U.S. Senate yesterday defeated a proposal 71-29 that would have gutted a program that benefits Hawaii sugar growers Gay & Robinson and Alexander & Baldwin.

"That's great for us," said Clem Lum, treasurer for Gay & Robinson, which became the last sugar grower left on Kauai after Amfac shut down its Garden Isle operations last year.

Hawaii was once home to as many as 32 sugar plantations. Two are left.

The program protects U.S. sugar prices against foreign countries that import sugar at below-cost prices, according to a statement from Hawaii Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, who voted to defeat the proposal. Sen. Daniel Inouye also voted to defeat the proposal.

The measure was proposed by Sen. Judd Gregg (R, N.H.) as an amendment to the Farm Bill, which Senate Democratic leaders are hoping to pass this week. The amendment would have reduced the sugar program funds to boost food-stamp benefits.

The U.S. House has already passed a version of the Farm Bill that would continue the sugar program, Akaka said.