HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0918.016 2012-2014 Page 1 of 1
Murashige, Laura COUP( CLERK
call T`°__ ` HAWAII
From: John Lyle [kanakaukoa @gmail.com] 52
Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2014 8:23 PM 2O JUN 6 �+
To: Hawaii County Council Members; Mayor Billy Kenoi
Subject: Food and Compost For Thought
Dear Council Members,
Just wanted to send along a brief note to thank you for considering our waste problems using critical
thinking and with future foresight in mind.
In particular I'd like to thank Councilperson Wille for recognizing the immense untapped potential and
tremendous resource in our island's green waste. Utilizing the millions of tons of green waste and
invasive species as compost and mulch is a win-win; a potential new industry for soil enrichment, weed
control, soil moisture retention, and long-term health of our'aina. Reducing the massive amounts of
poisons (herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, etc.) to control weeds, kill invasives and fertilize increasingly
sterile soils would make our land more productive and far less toxic. Burning green waste to generate
power is also short sighted in that the resource is far more valuable enriching the soils, not going up in
smoke.
I have culled countless tons of invasive species over the last ten years. Through the process of chipping,
mulching and composting this biomass I have enriched my soils significantly. As as result I have seen
remarkable results, It's not rocket science; indeed it's the oldest, most resourceful agricultural method
known by humanity.
As an aside, I was glad to see the Ka'u biofuel project go by the wayside as it had many serious flaws.
This particular area is priceless in it's agriculture potential for growing food for people, not for a non-
native monocultural crop not intended for human consumption. Likewise, let's think about how we can
better utilize the best fertilizer and soil enhancer known to mankind: mulch and compost!
Thanks for your time and open mindedness.
Sincerely,
John Lyle
Ka'u, Hawai'i
Comm. No. "g,
Ref. To: /l/AWWSG
Ref. Date JUN 1 7 2014
6/16/2014