HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0489.277 2018-2020 :00,,ORTY. CLERK
TatiNTY OF HAWAII
From: Rene Siracusa
To: counciltestimonv(ahawaii.aov 9
Subject: Bill 101 2 20tt OCT 1 5 NI St 7
Date: Monday,October 14,2019 12:07:09 PM
Malama 0 Puna is a 501(c)(3) environmental nonprofit that has been advocating for a cleaner,
greener Hawaii for more than 20 years. We remember when there was a demonstration
project spearheaded by Carol Burgess, in which mowing replaced herbicides along County
roads. It was a success, in terms of costs, attractive roadsides, and other criteria. Yet the
County never implemented the full project, which includes our parks and other facilities. Tall
dead weeds are an eyesore as opposed to a neat mowed area. Herbicides are expensive to •
purchase and have special storage requirements, applicators have to be permitted. Although
the law requires signage to inform thepublic that herbicides are being, or have just been,
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applied,that is rarely the case. Pregnant women, small children and people with chemical
sensitivities are therefore subjected to contact, and when they have symptoms they may not
realize the source. If they do, the County may have a liability issue. The problems of herbicide -
use far outweigh any mis-perceived benefits.
The good news is that there are very viable alternatives to herbicide use. Please pass Bill 101
and take another step on the path to a safer Hawaii. We should set an example for the rest of
the State.
Mahalo plenty,
Rene Siracusa, President
Malama 0 Puna
We don't
Comm. No. '1441•111
Ref.To: ?RINSING
Ref. Date OCT 1 5 2019