HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0489.587 2018-2020 From: nrobert506
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Please vote in favor of Bill 101
Date: Saturday,November 16,2019 9:59:39 PM
TESTIMONY TO RESTRICT HERBICIDES ON COUNTY ROADS AND PARKS.
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,
Nadine Kehaulani Robertson
Mountain View, Hawai'i 96771
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Comm. Nor `' 9
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