HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0489.594 2018-2020 From: Mary Sautter
To: Council Testimony
Subject: PLEASE PASS BILL 101 TO MAKE COUNTY PARKS AND ROADWAYS HERBICIDE FREE,,
Date: Monday, November 18,2019 9:39:46 AM t '"-
Aloha,
I am a resident of Paauilo and partner in a USDA Certified Organic apiary
that shares the healthful and delicious honey we produce and pack here on
Hawai'i Island with the world. My husband and I owned an apiary in
Vermont previously, so I can speak to the benefits of an herbicide-free
environment we enjoy in our Hawai'i Island bee yards.
We were delighted when we found our off-the-grid Paauilo property at 2000
feet adjacent to the Hamakua Forest Preserve and equally excited when we
realized that vast areas where neither herbicides nor pesticides were used
would enable us to finally achieve the stringent requirements to become
certified organic. Beekeeping on the Mainland had become discouraging.
The bees, weakened by the effects of chemicals used to treat mites and
viruses, were not prospering, despite all our efforts. Herbicides not only
affected their health immediately, but longer term adversely affected the
health of developing larvae due to herbicide residues in the wax of the
honeycomb in the hives. Once we were able to keep bees in an environment
where no herbicides or pesticides were present, the change was dramatic.
The bees live longer, the overall health of the hive is excellent and honey
production has soared. This is a win-win for both the"bees and us.
In the same way I believe that eliminating herbicides will be a win-win for
both the aina and the people who love it, especially our keiki. Just like
developing bees, their developing systems -- especially their respiratory and
nervous systems -- are more affected by herbicide and other chemical
residues than adult systems. The repeated application of herbicides causes
both short- and long-term damage to our soils, water supply and our
bodies. How is this a good use of our tax dollars, our priorities, and our
responsibility to take care of our environment?
Mahalo to all County Council members for considering this bill. I •
respectfully butt strongly urge you to pass it and to set an example for other
counties in how to responsibly malama aina.
With aloha, Q� ,
Comm. N.. '_ `
Ref.To: HMI
Ref. nate NOV 2 0 2019
Mary Sautter
Hawai'i Harvest Honey LLC
PO Box 404
Paauilo, HI 96776
(8o8) 338-5226
mary@hawaiiharvesthoney.com
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