HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0363.006 1996-1998
A"'J~ July 22, 1997
TESTIMONY
Human resources and Economic Dev. Committee
THE FRIENDS OF HAMAKUA organized in.January 1997 to challenge the aerial
spraying of herbicides and burning of old sugaz cane by Hamakua Timber.
In the process we learned more and more about the world's struggle with the pulp
industry. The practices of growing and harvesting trees, the environmental and economic
impact on people and land.
We started asking questions, and searched for answers.
# 1 question we had and still have is: what does this industry do for the local people.
We do not have to reseazch how profitible this industry is for the LARGE PAPER
COMPANIES AND THEIR INVESTORS. They would not be in this business if they had
their doubts.
How do local economies benefit ? Is the pulp industry a job and income generator ?
Where do the profits go ? Do the local people directly or indirectly particpate in the
profits ? What is going to happen if the Industry changes and the pulp trees loose their
value and harvesting will be postponed or trees are abandoned ?Will they take over and
ruin what is left of our native forests.
Are we allying ourselves with an Industry that comes WITHOUT love and compassion for
the Hawaiian lands, culture, tourist industry, and especially for the future of the people of
the islands.
From the previous hearing it became clear to us that you are very concerned, that you
also have many questions, and that making the decision if the County Lands should go to
the Pulp Industry is a major task.
We thank you for giving us the opportunity to bring our concerns to you. As I mentioned
before we searched for answers and in this seazch we came across a book called
PULPING THE SOUTH written by Ricazdo Carrere and Larry Lohmann. Two people
that know the pulp industry, have conducted a world wide study of the effects on people
and lands and are expressing their concerns in books and lectures. We asked Mr. Lohmann
to come to the Big Island and present his vision to all of us.
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County Council
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LARRY LOHMANN education
He has taught at Princeton University, Union Community College and at schools and
universities in Thailand. Where he spent most of the 80's working with organizations such
as the Bangkok based Project for Ecological Recovery.
From 1990- 1994 he was Associate Editor of the ECOLOGIST MAGAZINE IN
ENGLAND.
During 1996 and 1997 he in Agrarian Studies at Yale University.
Mr. Lohmann has been associated with the World Rainforest Movement for the past
decade, he is the co-author with:
Ricardo Carrere of the Third World Institute in Uraguay of PULPING THE SOUTH
INDUSTRIAL TREE PLANTATIONS and THE WORLD PAPER ECONOMY,
with
Nicholas Hildyazd, Sarah Sexton and Simon Fairlie of WHOSE COMMON FUTURE ?
and RECLAIMING THE COMMONS.
Co editor with Mazcus Colchester of THE STRUGGLE FOR LAND AND THE FATE
OF THE FORESTS.
Mr. Lohmann has come from Yale to be here.
Mr Lohmann: we aze grateful that you volunteered your time and that you are here to help
us.