HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0489.501 2018-2020 From: Emily Garland
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Please pass Bill 101
Date: Saturday,November 16,2019 5:39:42 PM
Aloha Honorable County of Hawaii Councilmembers,
Please vote in favor of Bill 101 to limit the County's use of chemical
herbicides.The bill directs the County to restrict herbicides on
County roads and County properties only.It has nothing to do with
agricultural use or home use.
Children have unique susceptibilities to the potential toxicity of
herbicides,yet they are still being exposed every day when they go to
County parks or walk or ride along the roads.It is dangerous for them
to pick and eat wild guavas,lilikoi or other fruit growing on the .
side of the road or in the gulches.Our children should not be
poisoned by normal kid outdoor activities.
Long-term exposure is linked with increased risks of cancer,
miscarriages,attention deficit disorder and reduced production of sex
hormones.It can also trigger aggressive breast cancer when combined
with other risk factors.
'Studies indicate that glyphosate can contaminate streams,which empty
into our oceans,and affect sea life including fish and coral.
Problems with drift of glyphosate herbicides occur frequently.
Let's change our mindset and learn the process of using non-toxic
alternatives,and transition away from the use of toxic chemicals for
land management. Wherever we can,we must mitigate the coming impacts
of a collapsing global environment.This is one meaningful way to do
so.
Mahalo,
Emily Garland,Hilo
Comm. No. 9- ✓DI
Ref. To: P!IWOU I
Ref. Date NOV 2 0 2019