HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0271a.092 2012-2014 Page 1 of 1
Murashige, Laura COUNTY CLERK
g couNiTy .07 !..4AWAII From: J Yoshimoto Uyoshimoto @co.hawaii.hi.us]
Sent: Monday, August 05, 2013 12:31 PM
1013 AUG -5 PH 2: 40
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: FW: Bi1l79
From: Ray And Linda Raquinio [mailto:sunlineshawaii @aol.com]
Sent: Monday, August 05, 2013 8:36 AM
To: bford @co.hawaii.hi.us; dyagong @co.hawaii.hi.us; dikeda @co.hawaii.hi.us; jyoshimoto@co.hawaii.hi.us;
donishi @co.hawaii.hi.us; enaeole @co.hawaii.hi.us; genriques @co.hawaii.hi.us; kgreenwell @co.hawaii.hi.us;
phoffmann @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Bi1179
Dear County Council Members,
I realize that my input is at the last minute, but as a business owner in Hawaii for over 30 years, a parent, a
grandparent and proactive consumer, I implore you to keep Bill 78 as it is without any amendments and consider
the following:
Even though many farmers believe that they want transgenic crops and GMO's for a supposed less expensive
and great crop yield for either human or animal consumption, there is increasingly overwhelming consumer
support for organic and non GMO products that are already more expensive to purchase and this consumer base
is steadily growing. This should give them pause because as people are becoming educated about the existing
and potential dangers of interfering with natural DNA in any form, that this demographic is going to be a major
economic force in the foreseeable future if not already. And they are willing to pay whatever it costs in the
marketplace. Just ask the health food stores nowadays and observe how the natural food departments in
supermarkets are swelling with organic and non GMO products.
As for the use of mandated barriers who knows for sure how much distance is needed to ensure that
contamination from transgenic crops to non transgenic and organic crops by bee pollination and seeds from bird
droppings, etc,? So how can it be a good idea to do away without what little protection is already in place?
The opposition isn't coming from conspiracy theorists. either, as Monsanto spin doctors would have people
believe but from real scientific studies utilizing the true scientific methods that determine the actual facts that
result in statistics showing the harmful relationship between GMO consumption in relation to health and
environmental problems and that are available for public knowledge. In fact, I believe that the oppositional public
is actually better informed as to the negative impact of transgenic crops than the farmers who are so anxious to
believe that they are the"magic pill" for their agricultural challenges.
Finally, isn't it interesting to note that these major opponents of the bill are those who "hope" to become more
financially profitable using GMO's? But to this issue (and why it is so hotly contested) those parties would be
utilizing methods that endanger our health and our Aina for their financial gain. And, by the way, once transgenic
action has occurred, there is no turning back so please use the logic of caution and at least keep things the way
they are until absolute third party proof of safety should ever come to exist.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully,
Linda Raquinio
Comm. f °"'���-•_`Z
Ref. To:_ _ iUL MTC. __.
R f. Ciete! T21U1.3____
8/5/2013
AUG-5-2013 06:46A FROM:SUNLINE HAWAII 808-929-9202 TO:9618912 P.1
Bill 79 ! Page 1 of 1
From: Ray And Linda Raquinio<sunlineshawaii @aol.com>
To: bford<bford@co.hawaii.hi.us>;dyagong<dyagong@co.hawaii.hi.us>;dikeda<dilfeda@co.hawaii.hi.us>;
jyoshido<jyoshido@co.hawaii.hi.us>;donishi<donishi@co.hawaii.hi.us>;enaeole<enaeole @co.hawaii.hi.us>;
genriques<genriques@co.hawaii.hi.us>;kgreenwell<kgreenwell@co.hawali.hi.us>
Subject: Bill 79
Date: Mon,Aug 5,2013 4:13 pm
To all Council Members,
I realize my plea is at the last minute, but as a business owner in Hawaii for over 39 years, a mother and
grandmother, and proactive consumer, I implore you to keep Bill 79 as it is without any amendments and
consider the following:
Even though some farmers want transgenic crops and GMO's for a supposed less bxpensive and greater crop
yield for either human or animal consumption,there is increasingly overwhelming consumer support for organic
and non GMO products that cost more already and the consumer base is steadily growing. This should be
evidence enough that as people become educated and learn the facts about the eXisting and potential dangers
of interfering with natural DNA in any form that this demographic is going to be a m jor economic force in the
foreseeable future.And they are willing to pay whatever it costs in the market plat Just ask the health food
stores nowadays and observe how the natural food departments in the supermark is are swelling with organic
and non GMO products. j
As for the issue of mandated barriers who knows for sure how much distance needs to be placed between
transgenic crops and non transgenic and/or organic crops in order for contamination by bees pollenating ,etc.
so how can it be a good idea to do away with what little protection is already in pla4e?
The opposition isn't coming from conspiracy theorists as Monsanto spin doctors would have people believe but
from real scientists who know the true scientific facts and have statistics showing 4M0 consumption in relation
to health and environmental problems, etc. and successfully teach the public. In fact, I believe that the
oppositional public is better informed as to the actual impact of transgenic crops than the farmers who are so
anxious to believe that they are the"magic pill"to their agricultural challenges.
I
Finally, isn't it interesting to note that these major opponents of the bill are those w o"hope"to make more
money by lowering expenses, and making more money-isn't that usually the way But to this issue(and why
it is so hotly contested)those parties would be utilizing methods that endanger ourlhealth and our Aina. And,
by the way, once transgenic action has occurred, there is no turning back so please use the logic of caution
and keep things the way they are until absolute third party proof of safety should ever come to exist.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Linda Raquinio
Ray And Linda Raquinio
ay q
sunlineshawaiii aol.com
III
CZ' C7
C
to -.)-(
Cr'
V
http://mail.aol.com/37938-211/ao1-6/en-us/mail/PrintMessage.aspx . 8/5/2013
I