HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0489.361 2018-2020 a
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SEED OPO Box 1177 Koloa HI 96756
808.652.5286 hawaiiSEED.org October 13, 2019
In Support of Bill 101 to that would prohibit the use of toxic pesticides and herbicides on all
county owned parks, roads, bikeways, sidewalks, trails, drainageways, and waterways.
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Dear Hawai'i County Council, }
Hawaii SEED strongly supports a bill that would prohibit the use of toxic pesticides and
herbicides on all county owned parks, roads, bikeways, sidewalks, trails, drainageways, and {
waterways. Many island groups, especially Hawaii County, have worked on this issue for well
over a decade and we are proud and inspired by the leadership of your council and the
potential to influence the neighbor islands to follow and learn from your bold lead!
Organic land management is attractive in a multitude of ways; residential health, soil, water,
air, economic industry, visitor perception, groundskeeper workplace safety, and safer parks and
roadways.
When we look at the threat to native fauna and flora, domestic animals, and especially our
endangered bird species, now is the time to ensure a healthy critical habitat. Let us all join to
work on the multiple contaminants for a more thriving eco-system for our future.
As we all see, glyphosate has long been touted as "safe", when in fact after many years the
severe detrimental consequences have now been confirmed by the World Health Organization,
epidemiologists and the court awards by jury decisions.
In 2013, Hawaii SEED brought Dr. Don Huber to Kauai to educate policy makers and the public
on the dangers of glyphosate. The harm of glyphosate has been known and studied for quite
some time. Please review our presentation at University of Hawaii Kauai Community College.
https:Z/www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ikQzaCaFsY
Dr. Huber is a well published Retired Colonel serving the Armed Forces Medical Intelligence
Center, past Chairman of the USDA-APS National Plant Disease Recovery System, a member of
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the US Threat Pathogens Committee, Office of the Surgeon General Global Epidemiology
Working Group, and Professor Emeritus of Botany and Plant Pathology at Purdue University,
Dr. Huber'oagricu|turoi research, finding less than sufficient nutrient levels, may indicate
excessive negative effects on soil biology essential for nutrient cycling, soil structure, and
symbiotic nutrition, Research found serioussei|borne plant pathogens associated with
glyphosate, especially its problematic purpose to block magnesium uptake.
If glyphosate is not translocated to the roots because of stem boring insects or disruption of the
vascular system, aerial parts of the plant may be stunned, but the plant is not killed. We witness
this by the need to go back and re-apply the chemical. Elimination of this practice, with the
introduction of organic management practices can result in a monetary savings in toxic
purchasing, while increasing the safety ofworkers,
Roundup can also persist for years. It can influence plant nutrition and disease. Although
glyphosate can be immobilized in soil (also spray tank mixtures and plants), it is not readily
degraded and can accumulate for years (both in soils and perennial plants, Accumulation in
food and feed products enter the food chain.
Establishing a Vegetation Management Transition Committee is a very proactive way to guide
the conversion to organic practices, and may be accomplished sooner with the help of organic
farmers and other experts who currently practice these preferred methods.
Toxic pesticides and herbicides are harmful to human and environmental health. Organic land
management practices can replace the use of chemicals and allow us to be better stewards of
the land.
Please implement the long call of the people for a complete prohibition on synthetic pesticides
onpublic spaces.
With sincere gratitude,
Jeri Di Pietro, President
Havvai`iSEED
POBox 1l77
Ko|oa, H| 96756
(808) 651-1332
hawaiiseed.orQ ,
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