HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0393.511 2012-2014 Page 1 of 1
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Murashige, Laura
From: Iris Iwami [mail @changemail.org] NOV 2: 147 m 2
Sent: Tuesday, November 19, 2013 7:56 PM
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: 5 new petition signatures: Russell Yost, David Christopher...
5 new people recently signed Joni Kamiya Rose's petition "Governor Abercrombie, State Legislators, and City
and County Council Members: Support Hawaii Farmers Now!" on Change.org.
There are now 92 signatures on this petition. Read reasons why people are signing, and respond to Joni Kamiya
Rose by clicking here:
http://www.change.org/petitions/governor-abercrombie-state-legislators-and-city-and-county-council-members-
support-hawaii-farmers-now/responses/new?response=813692590a32
Dear Hawaii County Council Members,
As many of you know, there is a huge division in many communities happening as the result of the attack and
agricultural technology. Counties are listening to the most ill informed people to base these laws upon and the
farmers are under attack. If we as a state are to grow our ag industries, we need the support of our leaders to
attain this or our farmers will have no incentive to continue the tireless work they do. Farmers have constantly
been targets in our communities by these activists. They have been subject to death threats, threats of
agroterrorism and disrespectful comments on their business pages. Here is a story, The Legend of the A'ole
GMO, that summarizes up what is happening across the state. As you can see, it is not pretty at all. These
people are not well educated either and it shows in many of their commentary made that reflect it and yet
some how these are the very people that is getting the attention of the leaders of our state. These are the same
people who even threated the Mayor Carvalho also when he realized the issues with the anti-ag bill. That is
not pono at all. Also the groups that are contacting you are full of misinformation and nasty commentary too.
The Hawaii GMO Justice Coalition is one of them with some of the most vile comments around. Then there is
the Babes Against Biotech too with their misinformation on agriculture and bullying tactics also. These groups
are all about keeping people in the dark about technology and taking away tools for the future based in fear
and misinformation. Do we want this kind of atmosphere to continue in our ag industry here in our islands?
Apparently rogue county council members like this kind of maneuvering and are on their way to destroying
the future of agriculture. Here's my take on what will happen if we take the route we are heading if leaders
listen to them. We are about reject the evidence base created over several decades in the name of ignorance?
That's irresponsible. Public opinion does not always make for good laws for several reasons. Although they
may have the numbers to support them, it does not make for good policy. The consequences of shortsighted
thinking and the latest trend of the moment can have longer term repercussions that we can never recover
from. We can't afford to do that in our state. Leaders have a responsibility to do what is in the best interest for
all, especially the minority who are the farmers and ag people in our state. If you continue to listen to the
majority's opinions, you are sending a message to all people that this is the kind of atmosphere we want for
our state in how policy is made. Listen to the farmers and agricultural communities that are doing the work to
solve problems and feed us. That is the responsible thing to do for all of the state.
Sincerely,
51. Russell Yost Honolulu, Hawaii
52. David Christopher Honolulu, Hawaii
53. Jennifer Tamashiro-Bushe Pahoa, Hawaii
54. Paul Singleton Kula, Hawaii
55. Iris Iwami Honolulu, Hawaii
Comm. No. 393,51
Ref.
Ref.Date NOV 9 2013 -
11/21/2013