Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Musings: Getting It Straight

Let me get this straight. Councilman Gary Hooser introduced Bill 2491 because the state is failing to properly monitor the chemical companies to ensure human and environmental health.

And the state isn't enforcing, according to Gary Gill, state deputy health director, because the Legislature isn't providing sufficient funding.

The Lege isn't allocating funding because so many of its members receive campaign contributions from the biotech industry, support chemical ag, have other priorities, don't think it's a problem, etc.

Bill 2491 would have Kauai County pick up the slack instead.

In response, Council Chair Jay Furfaro says it will cost about $4.4 million the first two years, and an additional $911,000 to monitor annually after that. County Engineer Larry Dill says it will require a staff of eight, and new training for those workers.

Gary Hooser and his co-sponsor, Councilman Tim Bynum say no, we want it done with minimal funding. Two workers should be sufficient.

Councilwoman JoAnn Yukimura wonders if public works can handle it period, “because they have no expertise and the county is unable to even properly regulate things within their proper expertise, like vacation rentals.”

And that giant screw up happened even when the Council was willing to give planning as much money and staff as was needed to properly implement the law.

So if we give public works just a quarter of what it says is needed, aren't we setting the law up for failure from the start? Won't that pave the way for the Administration to return to Council one day in the near future, when people are pissed because nothing has been done, and say, hey, we couldn't implement/enforce because we didn't have the funding?

Meanwhile, the chemical companies keep digging their hole deeper, playing the clam-up, no compromises game. They're apparently putting all their faith in their lawyers to kill anything that gets passed.

But the Dow Agrosciences manager did make an interesting revelation in response to questioning from JoAnn. It seems Dow only farms downwind of its “legacy village” — it took me a few minutes to realize that's the new euphemism for plantation camp — and it maintains windbreaks to protect camp residents from drift and dust. “We don't farm where there are houses,” Dow's Keith Horton said, noting that fields around the camp are intentionally not cultivated or sprayed.

OK, so if Dow is actively working to keep its camp residents from being dusted and dosed, don't the folks living around the Syngenta and DuPont-Pioneer fields deserve the same consideration?

Kirby Kester of BASF also admitted the chem companies were talking about possibly using drift monitors or sensor strips to determine when, where and how drift is occurring, though Syngenta's Mark Phillipson didn't seem too keen on that idea.

That sounds like a pretty cheap and easy place to start if you truly do “want to determine if it [drift] is in fact occurring,” as Pioneer's Cindy Goldstein claimed.

Cindy also acknowledged that vegetative buffers “could work,” while saying the company had taken down at least one row of trees in response to complaints from residents about lost views. Kirby said dust screens were another possible option.

All four chemical companies flat out denied growing biopharmaceutical crops now or in the past 10 years.

Though it's hard to believe them, especially when trust is in such scarce supply these days.

On another note, Dr. Don Huber, the internationally recognized plant pathologist who apparently was flown in by GMO Free Kauai, spoke about the dangerous effect of glyphosate (Roudup) on both people and the soil. Part of the problem lies in the fact that it is “indiscriminately used,” he said.

We've noticed. That's why some of us wanted 2491 to address Roundup use, especially by the county, which sprays it in areas that are heavily used by the public and children, including parks, sports fields, roadsides and the coastal Path, and especially by the chemical companies, which are primarily growing crops resistant to the stuff.

But that fight has been postponed for another day.

Meanwhile, as Huber noted: “It's not what we do [know] as much as what we don't know, and that's why the precautionary principle becomes critical.” 

36 comments:

Anonymous said...

Joan can you please also write about what Dr. Nalini Sathiakumar testified to. You wrote about the pro-gmo dr that testified but not her. She ACTUALLY advised other legislators about what we're fightin here, she's a REAL environmental and OCCUPATIONAL epidemiologist AND a pediatrician. Shes researched - occupational cancers, health effects of env exposures including air pollution and pesticides WITH SPECIAL FOCUS ON INFANT AND ESRLY CHILDHOOD NEURODEVELOPMENT.

Anonymous said...

The bill should not be passed until there is a "plan of action" regarding enforcement. I agree with mel SHOCKINGLY hes the only realistic one there. Hes right that okay, pass the bill woohoo...then what? Itll be just like the tvr bill AND the human resources dept that hasnt even transitioned yet from last year... NO PLAN, NO FUNDING = NO ENFORCEMENT. Plus there NEEDS to be an EIS done FIRST to truly determine pesticide effects.

Anonymous said...

Big Ag will do all kinds of things, monitor wind etc., dust barriers, work with government testers etc. They will NOT work with certain unreasonable council people. Compromise is in the air, but we must put in mediator types and NOT liars. There are five truth tellers on the council and there are 2 self seeking liars............Big Ag will work with any of the 5.

Anonymous said...

First step is the disclosure, then we will know what they are applying.After that,it ends up in the soil, the air and the water. It doesn't magically disappear, it volatilizes into the air again...

Regulatory testing for each pesticide is done alone. We are a human laboratory here on Kauai, with each of us part of the experiment because they are using many pesticides together. It's a matter
of scale.17 Tonnes of restricted use pesticides a year on tiny Kauai is an assault. Add the unknown tonnage of regular pesticides, and oh boy, what a headache.

Joan Conrow said...

Dear 12:55,

I didn't happen to catch Dr. Nalini Sathiakumar's testimony, but I shall look for it.

Meanwhile, I don't recall ever writing about a "pro-GMO dr that testified."

Anonymous said...

Sorry joan, not pro-gmo, dr. Huber. Thanks for looking up nalini's testimony. I heard about her from a friend but its hard to find to watch on the computer

Anonymous said...

Dr. Nalini Sathiakumar's testimony is at 5 hours and 25 minutes into the hearing.

Anonymous said...

Another no-brainer. I pay to register my car. I pay for my driver's license. I pay if I want to apply for a special use permit. I pay to have my trash cans removed. The biotech chemical companies should be made to pay for the EIS and the ongoing enforcement of the provisions of Bill 2491, and that should be made part of the Bill itself.

Anonymous said...

Gary and Tim should propose a tax increase at 4 to 5 million for a couple of years to fund this bill. We can raise property taxes by about $1000 per property, this is not much in the big picture. Or they can have County tax on rentals at about $100 per month, either way, we can work together to enforce the GMOs and monitor the spraying. Kauai must come together on this. If we fund this bill then we can get it into action faster. Environmental techs from the mainland would love to work this job, so their is no problem getting a trained workforce. If we think about this we can raise the money.

Anonymous said...

Bynam could cancel his lawsuit with the County, that will save the County about 1 million. To set up controlled testing (equip and monitors) is not that much. We must start somewhere. If there is money to test, getting permission to access the land is another issue, that pesky little 4th amendment will get in the way.

Anonymous said...

Bynum should never back down from his lawsuit against the evil powers on Kauai.

If they could and really wanted to they would have physically harmed Bynum but since he is a public figure they have to use alternate tactics.


While others that are on the retaliation list are not so lucky.

They have dirty syndicate pigs in KPD trying to set people up. Their militia and their mma muscle ain't nothing but slaves. They are apart of the Cosa Nostra on Kauai, which is known as Kauai's Home Grown Terorists.


Bynum must let the record stand and fight against Kauai Corruption.

Anonymous said...

"Compromise is in the air" ....?
Only if THEY can make lots of money.

This is kind of stuff that brings people to riot. The State is not doing its job, and we have the County Council Cowards worrying about money too! What about HEALTH?
What is that worth? Where Were you Mel, Nadine, and what' his name?

Thinking SMALL is all they can do.
Its Obvious.......people on the council are either ignorant, in denial, haven't done their homework, bought and sold...or they live in GA GA Land.

They have No GUTS to do the Right THing.

Dr Shibai

Anonymous said...

As Jay often says"no guts, no glory," Council, do the right thing and support the people's right to know.

Anonymous said...

Tvr debacle-is that why Heu is hastily exiting?

Anonymous said...

Joan, can you please tell me where the BASF fields next to homes are that you referred to? You may need to do some more research on this one...

Joan Conrow said...

You're right. I don't know if BASF fields have any home nearby, so I will remove that reference from my post.

Anonymous said...

"So if we give public works just a quarter of what it says is needed, aren't we setting the law up for failure from the start?"

Do Bynum and Hooser really care if this will work or are they just pandering to the fawning masses?

Anonymous said...

"This is kind of stuff that brings people to riot. The State is not doing its job, and we have the County Council Cowards worrying about money too! What about HEALTH?
What is that worth? Where Were you Mel, Nadine, and what' his name?
They have No GUTS to do the Right THing.

Dr Shibai
September 10, 2013 at 11:39 PM"

What about Bynum and Hooser trying to do this on the cheap? You think they're not thinking about money (or how voters will perceive how it's spent)? Guts to do the right thing? Like Mel did when he said that he's not interested in passing a bill that won't work? Why do Bynum and Hooser want Public Works to regulate GMOs and pesticides when they know that Public Works does not have the resources and they're not willing to pay for those resources? You're good at criticizing. Try critical thinking for a change.

Anonymous said...


Cowards, idiots and more.

Quotes from the local paper.


"Nakamura said she has concerns about the legalities of certain portions of the bill, and would support a study focused on prioritized health and environmental issues."

Oh yes let's study it more and do nothing that might piss off big monied interests. Coward.

Councilwoman JoAnn Yukimura said "If we don’t have to hurt jobs, we shouldn’t,” she said. “And that’s the path I’m trying to find.”

Let's get real. If the big Chem/seed companies leave all at once (unlikely) there will be some short term pain while the affected areas adjust and new jobs are developed. People and the County are going to need to be forward thinking and develop new jobs quickly. There are viable options and choices. Coward.

“I don’t think our county has the capability,” Kagawa said of Kauai regulating the industry.

If Kagawa is an example of the the average county employee's capability then yes we could be in trouble. He can be replaced. Better quality employees can be hired. Idiot.

"Though in favor of disclosure and buffer zones, Rapozo said he is not convinced passing the bill would lead to any significant results, other than the council being able to say it stepped up and passed a controversial bill."

Concerned about results Mel? Offer amendments that make this bill more effective. Coward.

The mayor wearing purple is perfect and indicative of his total lack of leadership. This the time and opportunity to take a stand for the welfare of this island and it's people. Not just to ask us if we can all just get along. Coward, idiot and more.

Anonymous said...

You are quick to call people cowards and idiots but what solutions do you have?

there will be some short term pain while the affected areas adjust and new jobs are developed. People and the County are going to need to be forward thinking and develop new jobs quickly. There are viable options and choices.

LIKE WHAT???????

Anonymous said...

Solutions: instead of the county proposal to invest 150 million to build a new sport field in waimea, the county should invest on aqua ponics and green houses on these lands. They should lease them to pepole who want to grown food for the people of Kauai.


The county will get back it's money on the lease and will help produce healthy foods, jobs, a better productive life, affordable food, and a sustainable diverse economy.


In the sports field the county will not get its money back but lose money or they will h e to hire more people to care take those grounds and facilities. A small group people would like this because they are the ones to benefit from it while the rest of us will have to pay for it.

The county failures is due to lack of qualified people. The Nepotism has hurt Kauai so much that we have replicated how the US government does business.


In a small county like this we can change everything by getting qualified people in department head positions.

Stop this mess of hiring family and friends. The county is the number one single employer. They know the best way to steal is to steal from the tax payers.

Anonymous said...

How about growing real food for real people instead of growing plants for testing chemicals?

There are a number of agricultural crops that could be viable with the proper value added products being made from the same including sugar cane and coconuts to name just a few.

How about developing other industries that require sun, land and decent sources of water?

GMO crops and heavy pesticide use is not the only way to go.

Anonymous said...

Sugar cane?

Where the hell you been for the last century?

Anonymous said...

Sugar cane for value added products such as rum is still viable on Kauai and my understanding is some sugar cane production is getting ready to resume.

Anonymous said...

Like Aurero Moore and Lauren Kagawa but the public Doesnt know that they are many more like these that has happened.


Murders made to look like suicides can only happen if you have a coroner that is an accomplice.

Anonymous said...

Could you maybe correct the spelling of Cindy's name in your post? Bad enough that TGI didn't spell it right, and mis-stated what was said at the meeting as well.

Anonymous said...

11:22,

you must not read the newspaper. aureo moore murder by vicente hilario was found guilty. i see no relation here.

Anonymous said...

September 10, 2013 at 4:14 PM,

thank you! everyone should really listen to dr. sathiakumar at 5:25:00 of webcast. even if you think she is being paid by seed companies, look at her biography and experience. plus her answers were not one sided or favoring any side. whenever she was asked a question by a council member she gave the honest answer and they almost always pointed to the fact that "as the bill is currently written" it should not pass until a true EA or EIS is conducted.

just because we all KNOW pesticides are dangerous, we still need to do a global study on the westside including all factors. who knows, there could be something totally out of left field we have no clue about...that's why we need to do the EIS.

it's horrible policy making if they just pass a bill without doing the necessary research and studies to back up the legislation.

to me who cares how much it costs. by doing the EIS we can finally find out what is REALLY going on on the west side regarding health issues.

i don't want to sound insensitive, but she is correct when she says that a research study or EIS into the health conditions of the people on the westside would also need to include lifestyle, lifestyle habits, any prescription medication being taken if any, types of food consumed, IN ADDITION to findings from drift, soil, pesticide sprayings etc.

i wish they would've had more time for her to speak.

i'd really like to know your take on her testimony joan.

Anonymous said...

You believe everything the newspaper and Internet put out there???

You must have a mental capacity of a Ross Kagawa.


The real murders are free on Kauai, planning their next murder!!!


Ignorant Peons...

Anonymous said...

My name is Alice and I must be Wonderland. No one seems to understand that there is a financial cost to everything. If the County wants an EIS, it will cost. If the County wants to duplicate work already under the auspices of the Fed and State it will cost. Get the money and you can do battle with the Corn companies.
Simple tests do not cost very much. It is time for commitment, raise taxes and do the EIS and battle the Chemical companies. The County has never found jobs for a displaced workforce, so the Agricultural workers on the westside will just have to find something else to do. Welfare etc.
Gary and Tim's supporters are some of the richest people on the island and they should come to the plate and maybe donate some money, otherwise raise property taxes or add something to the 4% GET that is dedicated to Chemical testing and the cost of any lawsuits.

Anonymous said...

Yes, Alice. This is Wonderland and the Mad Hatter is a frequent visitor to this comment section. Malice and half baked reading of Facebook research papers, Twits from twits,and other assorted maligning trivia rule the day. Why do the work when you can put on a special "pass the bill" shirt, get air time and threaten the Council- on camera no less to "PASS THE BILL". The canaries in the mine who frequently occupy the front row and whose facial expressions and agonies of disapproval easily lead one to the on-subject presenters. This bill only masquerades as a "right to know" bill. There's a lot more to it that needs to be explored on the Council floor including some of the real motives of its authors and its provisions. And this needs to be done in an atmosphere devoid of the obstreporous rantings of some of the extremely arrogant, ill informed and self assured people whose basically useless testimony serves only to bolster their own self esteem. They neither inform to build the body of knowledge or to add to a better bill. One would think that by now it's time for the circus to leave town so the real work can begin.

Anonymous said...

"There's a lot more to it that needs to be explored on the Council floor including some of the real motives of its authors and its provisions."

Amen!!

"And this needs to be done in an atmosphere devoid of the obstreporous rantings of some of the extremely arrogant, ill informed and self assured people whose basically useless testimony serves only to bolster their own self esteem. They neither inform to build the body of knowledge or to add to a better bill."

Double amen!!!

Andy Parx said...

September 11, 2013 at 6:11 PM- Have you read the bill? You say you want them to do an EA before passing the bill... but THE BILL CALLS FOR DOING AN EA/EIS. That and revealing the information to conduct one. Sheesh

Anonymous said...

Should have required the study before they started and Dept. of Health should be in charge of pesticides, not Ag. Too much being used on this island and not just seed cos.

Anonymous said...

Joan,
I am shocked that you place any credence in Dr. Huber. His glyphosate hysteria fails even the most basic requirements of scientific rigor. He refuses to publish his data and has been more-or-less repudiated by the Purdue faculty (he retired from Purdue). I can only believe that you know better, but since he fits your political leanings, you are willing to throw reason under the bus.

Joan Conrow said...

" I can only believe that you know better, but since he fits your political leanings, you are willing to throw reason under the bus."

If you believe that, then no wonder you believe Dr. Huber has no credibility.