HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0664.170 2014-2016 jawai`i WadiIce jun,_#
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Dedicated to the recovery of Ilawal'i's nativet wildlife throt gli reaerarcir, education and conservation'
June 3, 2016
Re: Bill 140, relating to reduction of polystyrene foam food containers and foodservice ware
Aloha Chair Kanuha and other Councilmembers,
E kalamai, but I didn't think I needed to precede my previous two testimonies with the letters behind my
name, nor list my academic pedigree for you to hear me. However, watching this Bill 140 process since
February I have since changed my mind.
My name is Megan Lamson and I am a marine biologist and researcher on Hawaii Island. I am also a
landowner and resident of Honalo, within Dru Kanuha's District 7. I am the Program Director for
Hawaii Wildlife Fund (HWF) on Hawai'i Island and I also work for DLNR's Division of Aquatic
Resources in Kona. I have a Bachelor's degree in Marine Biology from UC Santa Cruz and a Master's
degree in Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science from UH Hilo. In short, I am a
community member with a science background who is passionate about protecting our 'cine and ocean.
Now it is worth asking each of you to consider the other voices you have been listening to. On May 3rd
Melissa Takaaze,.a registered paid lobbyist with the Hawaii Food Industry Association testified as if
she were a community member with a journalism degree. However, this fake "journalist" obviously did
not read the COH's Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan or she would have known that the
County's goal is to capture green waste, including food scraps and food contaminated paper, and then
turn this into compost. The plan is not to leave these compostable items in the landfill forever, things
like polystyrene foam. The plan is to capture all organics and turn them into valuable
resources. However, the presence of Styrofoam is the single most important barrier to achieving this
goal.
Then, on May 16th the Council invited a polystyrene "expert", Dr. George Cruzan, to come address the
EMC. However, there was no disclaimer for his blatant conflict of interest as a consultant for The
Styrene Information and Research Center (SIRC), a group that represents approximately 95% of the
North American styrene industry. Cruzan also came out to testify against similar foam bills in Honolulu
and NYC.
It seems a little like asking a doctor receiving money from the tobacco industry to come talk story about
the health effects of cigarettes. This is not sound science. Plus, his numbers were off. If according to
the FDA we are exposed to 7 micrograms of styrene each day via polystyrene packaging, then that is
nearly 32% of our cumulative daily exposure and not as negligible as Dr. Cruzan would imply. So
would argue that the extra exposure to styrene in foam food containers could actually be the added
"dose that makes the poison" he was referring to. '` Q
Comm. No. 44 + tl
Ref. To: 6W
Ref. Date
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With all that, I am writing you today to show my support for this very important measure and to remind
the members of the Council that both Takaaze and Cruzan are paid to represent the interests of their
clients, but HWF and other nonprofits, the keiki from the first EMC hearing, business owners and tour
operators, and public testifying before you tomorrow represent the actual community.
This will be the third time I have taken off work and driven to the Council Chambers to share with you.
And again, I will be speaking on behalf of Hawaii Wildlife Fund as a volunteer. I hope I am excused for
my May 16th absence but we were busy pulling an additional 1,608 lbs. of marine debris off our coast
alongside 42 students from Ka Lae to Green Sands.
You should know that HWF has been "in business" for 2.0 years in Hawaii and that our team members
have collectively published over 80 scientific journal articles. In addition, our newsletter reaches around
3,000 people (mostly Hawaii Island and Maui residents) and our collective social media platforms hit
another 4,000 individuals. We represent a broad collective of teachers, scientists, researchers,
environmentalists, cultural practitioners and Hawaii residents who are committed to protecting native
wildlife and our communities, something this Bill 140 will surely do.
Last but not least, I would like to remind Councilmembers that HWF is wholehearted committed to
helping with the education portion of Bill 140 when it passes into an ordinance. In the past two school
years, our mentors have been into 20 Hawaii Island elementary schools and reached over 1,147
students. Given our steadfast mission to protect native wildlife, we will continue to share our mana`o
about plastic pollution prevention at each of our regular coastal cleanup endeavors along the shores of
Hawaii nei.
Many thanks for your time and consideration. cam.c•-)
Most sincerely,
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Megan R. McWhite Lamson, M.S. (meq.HWF(a�gmail.com) _e® y_
Vice President & Hawaii Island Program Director
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Photos from previous cleanup event at Kamilo Point highlighting all the plastic marine debris that
accumulates on our island's coast.
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