HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0212.050 1996-1998 As a person who seeks organic foods and the elimination of
pesticides and additives from all the foods I and my family
consume, I intuitively opposed irradiated food but expected that
irradiation was a relatively benign operation that wouldn't
affect me if I didn't eat the product. I attended forum one
and two and read volumes of information from pro and con sources
on irradiation of our food supply. I have come to the conclusion
that irradiation is an extremely dangerous and risky business for
us all.
Contaminating accidents occur and companies go bankrupt, all
at the expense of the taxgayer. Companies then reappear under a
new name. Two known nuclear accidents have happened on Oahu.
Japan won't buy it, Frieda's (the largest tropical fruit
dealer on the mainland) won't sell lt, and 7,000 and rising
numbers of mainland consumers have written to say no to all
Hawaii products IF we IRRADIATE. The reputation of all our ag
products is at stake in this current and widely spreading
boycott.
Why? Because the food is suspected of causing cancers and
the use of nuclear materials is fraught with problems that kill
by cooking you from the inside out and making land uninhabitabal
for centuries.
Local economists reveal major economic problems being
ignored. Irradiation is available to many third world countries
with the same fruits. To lightly promote one of the most
dangerous, nuclear-accident-prone industries on the face of the
earth as 'safe" and equating It with car accidents all to achieve
dubious economic rewards for a few, is shameful and wrong.
Contrary to first reports, we are not importing colbalt-60
weekly for medical, nor have we since 1889.
The FDA rep had no statistics but lots of assurrances of
safety of food yet the public has been their victim in the past
with DDT, Thalidomide and others.
Labeling laws are being systematically relaxed so that
IRRADIATED FOODS MAY APPEAR IN SCHOOL LUNCHES, RESTAURANT FOODS
OR MIRED IN GROCERY SHELF PRODUCTS WITHOUT OUR KNOWLEDCIE. ONLY
FOODS 100% IRRADIATED MUST BE DECLARED.
Proponents of Irradiation are willing to risk the beautiful
NUCLEAR-FREE environment of the Big Island, importing toxic
nuclear materials before even seriously developing a local
marketing plan to sell local products right here) We need
relief from the 70% IMPORTATION of produce now oppressing local
sustainable ag. To sell our produce we need to rid ourselves of
the fruit fly so what we grow is not destroyed in the field.
If our government cannot offer easy recycling, public
transportation and recreational bike paths, sensitive and
harmonious beautiful development, protection of historic sites
and viewplanes from power lines and bulldozers, then can we trust
that same government to be wise with nuclear materials so there
is NEVER an accident??????7?7???77????
The papaya industry has heat treatment that works. Rambutan
and lychee reject it for a slight cosmetic browning; reject
sending it to an irradiator in Chicago that already exists so
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they can increase already handsome profits; and some have even
illegally imported aliens to work their farms INSTEAD OF HIRING
LOCALSIII
The Hamakua Coast tree planting project has backfired
because it is in the wrong hands...of those who would harm us at
their economic gain. Making the same mistake with an irradiator
here will have it's own repercussions, again making us the guinea
pigs of industry and possibly our own government.
Imagine a few scenarios: Acres devastated for papaya
plantings resulting In chemical spraying in your area unless
grown organic, large corporations being supplied the majority of
trees (as is currently happening making It very difficult for
small orchards to obtain trees), and stepped-up cargo flights
from all islands and to the mainland roaring over Hilo. A
proliferation of portable private Oreystar units with water
soluable nuclear Cesium 137 could be available to those with the
right papers and connections.
The Hawaii State Constitution guarantees us the right to a
healthy and safe environment. I believe that our County Council
will see the truths clearly and reject 2 million for an
irradiation facility.
We then must ask our Mayor to use his infinite wisdom,
consider his responsibility to us and the land oP Hawaii, and
turn away from this universal and devastating threat to our
humanity. Mayor Yamishlro, seek the higher path of wisdom. End
the chemical poisoning of our island, our people, their air and
water. Through the power of your office of mayor, you can
protect and guide us toward an organically sound sustainable
future with solid, dependable profits for local residents.
Aloha and bless you Big Island residente...make your view known
NOW by calling 961-8225.
Sandra Bonk
PO 919
Mountain View, Hawaii 96771 968-8472
Sandy Bonk