HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0393.520 2012-2014 Page 1 of 2
Murashige, Laura C ! 'T Y C E K
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From: Layne Nakasone [mail @changemail.org]
Sent: Wednesday, November 20, 2013 6:54 PM 7013 NOV 2 [ PN 2: 49
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: 5 new petition signatures: Michael K. Girod, Diana douglas...
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 232 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-
inembers-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. This is not local style of doing things in our islands. 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. We will limit
our future ability to maintain and grow our ag industry out of fear and ignorance by listening to these
activists. 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.
Consider the science, not the slick marketing slogans to base your decisions on. That is the
responsible thing to do for all of the state.
Sincerely,
201. Michael K. Girod Kekaha, Hawaii Comm.No. 393' S"?°
Ref.To: V 1 9 2013"
Ref. Dote_
11/21/2013
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202. Diana douglas New York, New York
203. Reid Samio Waimea, Hawaii
204. Andrea Woods Haleiwa, Hawaii
205. Layne Nakasone Kapolei, Hawaii
11/21/2013