So now
that we actually, finally, have some real data on pesticide
prevalence in Hawaii — data that show “None of these levels
present a risk to human health or the environment,” according to
Department of Health toxicologist Fenix Grange — will any of the
hysteria diminish?
Don't
count on it. There's power and money to be found in fear-mongering,
so you can be assured it will continue unabated, especially in an
election year, when several candidates have nothing to offer voters
but a shared affinity for red shirts and fist-waving.
Though
downplayed by The Garden Island (which posted a wrong link to the study), Civil Beat's coverage tells the real
story:
The
study, which analyzed water from 24 streams, found that the areas
with the greatest number of pesticides were not near large farms but
rather in urban Oahu.
Streams
in urban Oahu had the highest number of pesticides present, including
one site where 20 types were detected. In total, the study found 41
pesticide compounds.
The
study also analyzed seven sites for the presence of glyphosate, an
herbicide that is more commonly known by its trade name, Roundup. The
state doesn't generally test for glyphosate because of the high cost,
but members of the Environmental Council advocated for more testing
last fall.
Three of
the seven sites had glyphosate, but at extremely low levels — the
highest concentration was 60,000 times lower than the lowest
benchmark available.
Marjorie
Ziegler, a member of the Environmental Council [and director of
Conservation Council for Hawaii], said that the main takeaway for her
were the higher levels in urban areas, rather than near large farms
growing genetically engineered crops.
"The
myth in my head says that GMO is increasing all those pesticides but
maybe that isn't the case," Ziegler said, using the popular term
for genetically modified organisms.
Which is
exactly what some of us have been saying all along. If Councilman
Gary Hooser really was concerned about pesticides, he would have
introduced a bill that also dealt with urban uses, as some of us had
requested. Instead, he focused narrowly on the five major ag
operators — a move that ensured national publicity for him, and funding support from mainland groups like
Center for Food Safety, but placed the bill in legal jeopardy because
it's discriminatory.
Meanwhile,
those in the anti-GMO movement, like the new OEQC director Jessica
Wooley, responded to the study not with relief, but a new mantra:
“This is a great first step.”
Except
as Fenix told The Garden Island, there is no planned second step,
cause they no more money for follow-up studies. Seems the Lege dumped
a proposal that would have increased funding and allowed for
additional work.
So we
don't have the money to keep monitoring for pesticides, even though it's
supposedly a grave concern on this island, but we do have money to
fight the legal battle to defend that crappy law. And Council Chair
Jay Furfaro managed to find $12,000 for bee pollen studies solely to
paint himself as eco-friendly, never mind all those years he ran
Princeville Corp. with its gnarly poison closet.
And
somehow our legislators scrounged up serious dough to fund the many
pork barrel projects in their districts that will help them curry favor with voters.
The most
curious of these was $270,000 for the Hawaii Island Land Trust to
“conduct a long-range development plan for the former Coco Palms
site.”
Why is
that plan continuing when the Council endorsed the rebuild of Coco
Palms and just today it was announced that Hyatt will manage the
iconic 363-room resort?
Why are
we still putting public money into that property, especially when
there are other pressing needs? Like, say, environmental pesticide sampling, or public health studies that might put some minds at ease.
But from the get-go, folks have never clamored for studies, tests or even more money for state enforcement. So it's not surprising that none has been allocated, and we're right back in that place of don't look, don't know.
Because maybe all the players have something to gain by keeping facts out of what is now solely an emotional and political issue.
Posts
21 comments:
The report is NOT posted yet- but of course you go off like you read it. What it does is prove that there ARE in fact pesticides in our streams (if TGI is right)and the sediment. The samples were take catch as catch can, not on the day and time the spraying took place. And of course you seem to trust DOH to do the sampling correctly- when no one was notified or observed the sampling. This is in fact a vindication of those who have said there are pesticides in our streams directly related to the chemical company's current use. You on the other had have become a tool of the industry.Idiot.
The most curious of these was $270,000 for the Hawaii Island Land Trust to “conduct a long-range development plan for the former Coco Palms site.”
This has been happening for years. The County of Kauai is irresponsible and reckless with the budget. Looking back when Lenny Rapozo couldn't do his job so they hired a consultant for over 100k to tell him what needs to be done to the Kilauea gym is alarming as this CASHING OUT scheme. What has been done?
The parks and recs as well as our highways are in shambles. These so called appointed positions with over 100k salaries are a travesty and yet the county posts new jobs on Kauai Jobs Indeed every week to the tune of 6-10 jobs. Why is the County of Kauai raising taxes and so irresponsible with governing?
Why are we still putting public money into that property, especially when there are other pressing needs? Like, say, environmental pesticide sampling, or public health studies that might put some minds at ease.
This is also in regards to the alternate transportation route (Bike Path BS), Why is Joann extensively pushing for this project? who is going to cash out on this one?
The same could be said for the 2-3 mile stretch of highway from Puhi to the old Lihue mill bridge that's been going on for 4 years. This is as obvious as the Wailua bridge cost scandal as it gets.
The pot holes all around the island destroys people vehicles. They are so dangerous that not only vehicle damage could occur but accidents and accidents that kill people and families is going to happen. All the while we can take pictures and put thrash as moments from Fukushima as tokens of relations.
Streams in urban Oahu had the highest number of pesticides present, including one site where 20 types were detected. In total, the study found 41 pesticide compounds.
There are already Universities and organizations properly trained, experienced and qualified to test and study our water, air, soil, and foliage for pesticides that are toxic. The proposal of a county having a committee of (probably untrained family and friends) people to do a 20-30 year study is ludicrous. It's all about creating more nepotism.
We have to CHANGE the STATUS QUO, end the GOBAG regime, and find well educated, trained, experienced, and people with integrity to govern Kauai.
Mayor Carvahlo and his cronies has to GO. If anyone running for Mayor guarantees that if elected as Mayor they will have a selection process to elect a county manager then I will support that candidate.
We have to cut the PORK out of our budget and that means non essential county employees. This county's budget has risen 40-80 million since Carvalho has taken over. That's over 10 million a year that the common folk has to fork the bill.
Now is the time where we have to VOTE wisely, like we did in the prosecuting attorneys election. We will be better off than what we have as our current county officials.
11:24 -- There is indeed a draft report posted, and yes, I did read it.
But hey, thanks for confirming that no, we won't see an end to the hysteria.
Joan, I wish you wouldn't bring up actual scientific studies of the streams. It is very confusing. Obviously, DOH and the scientists either do not know how to do a study or they are on Dupont's payroll.
I have it on a very good and supreme authority, Gary Hooser. Gary has said that there are indeed, dangerous amounts of of poison in the water. He is an expert as a former Senator, former Environmental big shot and current Council person, he has big time insider knowledge on poisons and what not. He would never ever, not in a hundred thousand years, deceive his public.
As far as Coco Palms study kala goes...anyone with a basic concept of money and return knows that this project will never happen and the Council fell for a couple of Realtors trying to keep a project alive so they get couple million dollar sales commission. The Council should have mandated that in order to get grand-fathered on the Iniki Building permits the developers should take down the existing structure by xxx date and then after the demolition, the prepared building permit would be given into their greedy little mittens.
Yes, No matter who does the testing, spending millions of $$ to justify their claims the hysteria will continue. We just to accept that there are many disbelievers even if its the truth. The reality is with only 65,000 + people on Kauai and the cost of fixing the claimed problems would probably take several $billion and years. It all boils down to money. If we don't have it we're not going any where. Telling the government what to do...takes money. So try to get rich...that will get you some where
2:40 Do you have any evidence of your claim that Gary Hooser is the "man" that you claim he is? The truth will eventually claim him as an onerous "Victim". We will know when 960 goes to court in August. He hasn't proven that pesticides or GMO'S are poisoning people. Btw...why doesn't he and his Anti's pay and do the testing themselves and establish their proven fact! Why demand that the government to do the testing, when you won't believe the results anyway? Why do you constantly contradict yourselves? Get real! GOGO GMO
3:07 I believe you missed the sarcasm used by 2:40
I think we are all agreed Hooser is no expert, well except maybe on how to use fear and lies to completely screw over a county. But pesticides? definitely not.
Shouldn't they take samples when there's runoff? The water looked clear in the picture shown in the draft study. When the water is brown from runoff I'd bet they find more pesticides in the streams and rivers.
For one, the State has proven incompetency time and time again. Fire ant infestation on Kauai a direct result of failing to treat a container of plants coming from a nursery on the Big Island. Mediocrity in state government because too much hiring who you, know rather than qualifications. Second, testing should be mandated as part of doing business by these companies. Kuleana to prove safety belongs with them NOT citizens!
Blame the state for not treating the container of plants? Who was the nursery that sent the plants with the ants, who like um which person needed to import plants and didn't bother to look if they were full of insects before planting out on Kauai. Unless every single plant was treated with strong pesticides before shipping/is that what you want? Propagate plants locally more better.
Amazing, how Fistee Hooser and Jackpot Bynum don't trust the DOH, Feds or State on Pesticides, whilst passing and pushing for every big government control on all other issues.
Together they would have Big Brother in every aspect of food labeling, ADU checks, ad nauseum.....unless of course it is the Gov peeking into one of their personal activities. What? Me got no illegal rental.
The common theme here is vote out the current people in office who have taken these positions. This isn't just Kauai, it's the entire U.S. We vote these people in ourselves and then complain the entire time they are in office. We shoot ourselves in the foot. People need to get off their arses and VOTE!! To complain and not do anything about it is the worst hypocrisy.
The System needs to go. Like termite infested wood, the political system currently in place with all the termites (nepotism, favoritism,incompetence, graft and corruption)needs to be torn down, because the bureaucrats and bozos will continue to feed on our tax dollars, get fat and continue reproducing.
Replacing "new wood" with new candidates is futile while the termites in charge (GOB) munch on the structure, lay their eggs and continue to destroy the framework of true freedom for the people.
The House must come down and replaced with a new structure. Unfortunately, this can only be done with civil disobedience not common sense.
Zero Seven
Folks fought hard for additional state pesticide regulation, especially to add additional inspectors. Mel Rapozo and Ross Kagawa however were silent when they said that they would fight hard to get the State to step up their regulation and add more inspectors. You gotta wonder wether they were being insincere then or now?
"Folks fought hard for additional state pesticide regulation, especially to add additional inspectors"
That's BS. You think legislators are going to fund your requests when you're holding shame banners outside their offices?
If a fraction of the energy put into the failed GMO labeling bill had been directed toward pesticide inspectors and more environmental studies that stuff would have been funded.
Yea... talk stink about me and lie to me at the same time and than tell me to help you? Think about it! Don't think any legislators will help you!
The container was slated for treatment and DOA let it slip through untreated.
if the container was slated for treatment and DOA let it slip through untreated , does that mean 1. Every plant from the Big Island should be drenched in poison before it ships, then it ships next to the organic produce? Get a grip, and use the plants that are here, propagate your own.
2.Why not the responsibility of the person or business who shipped the contaminated plants or the person who received them, sorry DOA inspects and treats, but the responsibility rests with the shipper and receiver.
Gary Hooser must march on Manoa and Waialae Iki. Those evil pesticide applicators in Honolulu have to be exposed. So he was off by a few hundred miles and a channel.
Joan we cannot all fly to Oahu at the drop of a dime, at every whim of the state legislature, however Ross Kagawa and Mel Rapozo can expense the trip.
Yes and its sheer incompetency that the state doesn't mandate better controls over the spread of these invasive species by prohibiting transport of infected containers. That's my point.
When Oahu has a population of 1.2 million and the bulk of all ag production comes from there, why is it surprising that the numbers are higher there? And what we need is continuous monitoring and not just one time sampling. A previous commentor mentioned testing after heavy rainfall/run-off, kind of a no brainer there.
So much for the good neighbor policy of the gov and the promise of more inspectors. Typical state inaction. Oh and I am a state worker. That doesn't stop me from recognizing the reality of where I work. Cronyism overrules all else!
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