HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0271.738 2012-2014 Murashige, Laura COU 1TY CLERK
From: J Yoshimoto [joshimoto @co.hawaii.hi.us]
Sent: Monday, July 08, 2013 12:41 PM 8 PH at 54
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us 7013 JUl-
Subject: FW: Bill 79
Original Message
From: Nancy Kingston [mailto:nxkingston @cox.net]
Sent: Thursday, July 04, 2013 9: 00 AM
To: jyoshimoto @co.hawaii.HI .us
Subject: Bill 79
Aloha County of Hawai 'i Council Member Yoshimoto:
Since one of my sons has been a resident of Hilo, Hawai' i for the past eight years, I have
been a frequent visitor to your unique and beautiful island,
along with other members of our family. When visiting, I especially
appreciate the diversity of your non-GMO fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, coffee, honey,
and flowers for which your island is so well known. As such, I strongly support your
efforts to ensure that the extraordinary bio-diversity of your ecosystems, including the
flora, fauna, and marine life, remain free of irreversible contamination by transgenic
organisms.
It is critical that you take the necessary steps, now, to conserve and protect the health,
life, environment, and property of your residents from potential exposure to transgenic
organisms and to the harmful impact from increased use of toxic herbicides and pesticides.
Additionally, the honey-bee population, which is responsible for a variety of honey-
related products and for pollinating a third of the island's crops, is in serious decline
and has been put at increased risk through the use of toxic chemicals, such as
neonicotinoids. Under the cloak of secrecy, the trans-national bio-tech/agricultural
corporations would willingly destroy one of the most beautiful places on earth for control
and profit. Given the inadequacy of federal and state regulations, these industries must
be held accountable by the local population and representatives, especially since they
refuse to label GMO foods and have willingly failed to inform the public regarding the
experimental use and commercial production of GMO crops, fish, and pharmaceuticals, as
well as the chemical properties and
risks of GMO herbicides and pesticides.
The legacy and tradition of Hawai 'i as a pristine island paradise and tourist destination
are very much threatened by the potential poisoning of
its land, waters, and people. Through concerted political efforts, the
health and safety of your populace and the economic prosperity of your communities can be
addressed by enacting legislation, as has been proposed, to maintain your rich and bio-
diverse ecosystems and by standing by the rights of local citizens and non-local business
partners to produce sustainable non-GMO products, free of GMO-pesticides, and free of
agricultural and environmental contamination of genetically modified organisms. As a
main-lander and a public health/health care professional for 35 years, I strongly support
passage of Bill 79 and the possibility of the Island of Hawaii becoming GMO-free! I
appreciate the opportunity to provide my input. Happy 4th of July and let freedom ring!
Mahalo,
Nancy Kingston, MPH, CHES
Mission Viejo, California
Comm. o a.1 1 . 73 g
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1 Ref. Date JUL 0 2 2013