HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0009.018 2014-2016Leslie, Earlanne
From: nancy recifeather [nredfeather @kohalacenter.org]
Sent: Friday, January 30, 2015 10:30 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Testimony. February 4, 2015: Appeal Ruling of Ordinance 13 -121
Nancy Redfeather —
P.O. Box 906
Kealakekua, Hawai'i 96750
January 30, 2015
Testimony: Appeal Roiling of Ordinance 13 -121
Chair Kanuha, Vice -Chair Poindexter, and Members of the Council,
The decision before us today is to allow or not allow the experienced Lawyers from Center
for Food Safety (Andy Kimbrell) and Earthjustice (Paul Achitoff) to intervene on behalf of
the County of Hawai'i in the courtroom, and work with Hawai'i County Corporation Counsel to
defend the Counties Appeal of Judge Kurren's ruling that overturned the citizens vote on
Ordinance 13 -121.
Since our Corporation Counsel is recommending an Appeal, the County would not be able to find
more experienced lawyers to help defend the people's right to protect the lands, water, and
community health of the County today and for all future generations.
Judge Kurren ruled that it is not the kuleana of the County to protect itself, and that right
belongs to the State or the Federal Government. But we the people know that defending the
agricultural environment for Hawaii has been difficult for the Department of Agriculture.
In the downturn of 2008 most of the inspector positions were eliminated, and since then,
invasive species have appeared one after the other. The Department has almost 50% of it's
positions unfilled at this time, so I don't think we can count on the state to protect us
from anything. And though the Federal government has a regulatory regime, USDA /APHIS, for
permitting of 6E trials, there are no regulators on the ground in Hawai'i, except for Carol
Okada at HDOA. Just one.
We must defend our "right" as a County to be able to responsibly protect and preserve lands,
water, and community health. None of us want pesticide contamination of soils, and dust in
communities. None of us want children's health and ability to learn to be impacted by drift
or pesticide laden dust. When information is inconclusive, yet could be dangerous to
communities, the Counsel has a right to act in a precautionary way on behalf of the people.
I ask for your support to work with CFS and EJ as support services for Hawaii Corporation
Counsel.
Aloha,
Nancy Redfeather and Gerry Herbert
Kawanui Farm
Honalo, Hawai'i
comma. No. 9. Y
Ref. To: J
Ref. Date FFR 4 7015_