Musings: Funny, yeah?

Opponents of Hawaii Dairy Farm have succeeded not only in setting back that project, but dealing a serious blow to future livestock projects in the Islands.

In response to a motion for summary judgement filed by Kawailoa (Grand Hyatt) attorneys, a circuit court judge ruled yesterday that the dairy's effluent ponds qualify as wastewater treatment plants under HRS 343, and thus require the completion of an EIS before any permits can be issued.

So now the dairy is back to square one. And though this pilot project, bankrolled by billionaire Pierre Omidyar's Ulupono Initiative, can afford to finish the EIS it already started — when it still thought the process was voluntary — it sets a chilling precedent for future animal agriculture.

But HDF plans to appeal the ruling, according to a statement from spokeswoman Amy Hennessey, “because this dangerous precedent cannot stand if Hawaii hopes to spur new agricultural projects to meet its goal of providing more local food for our island community.”

Come on, Amy. Doncha know people are just saying they want more local food? But when it comes right down to it, not in their back yard. They'll take the stuff brought in by Costco, thank you very much.

Meanwhile, as Hawaii News Now reported recently:

The Department of Health says high levels of a harmful bacteria called Clostridium Perfringens -- an indicator of human and animal wastes -- were found during recent water testing in Waikomo Stream on Kauai's South Shore. The department says there are 1,600 cesspools and 120 injection wells in the Poipu area, and some of them are overflowing and polluting the stream.

But no, human beings and tourism aren't causing any pollution problems on the southside. Just agriculture. Funny how Surfrider and Bridget Hammerquist of Friends of Mahauelpu had nothing to say about this particular stream pollution, since it doesn't grind their anti-dairy ax.

Speaking of which, Earthjustice attorney Paul Achitoff is now calling for Hawaii's congressional delegation to initiate an investigation into Wespac's “senior leadership,” claiming it's “unlawfully lobbying the Trump Administration” and taking advantage of an "anti-environmental president."

As Achitoff fumed on Hawaii News Now:

“That's not Wespac's job. It's not their authority. Frankly, it's just not legal. They're not here to advise the President or anybody else on what the provisions of the monument should be."

Yes, only Earthjustice and Sierra Club have that right.

Funny, how Achitoff has no problem with illegal lobbying conducted by his friends in the anti-GMO movement. Nor did he say a peep about the questionable funding and lobbying activities that led to the recent expansion of the monument.

And though I'm not a well-paid attorney, like Achitoff, I'm pretty sure that Wespac, as the fishing council for the West Pacific, has every right to make recommendations to NOAA and National Marine Fisheries Services.

Meanwhile, Oregon is setting a good example for strict enforcement of pesticide rules. As Capital Press reported:

The Oregon Liquor Control Commission issued its first recall of recreational marijuana after testing of a brand sold at a Mapleton, Ore., store showed it contained a level of pesticide residue that exceeds the state limit.

The OLCC , which oversees retail sales of recreational cannabis, said samples of Blue Magoo marijuana failed a test for pyrethin levels. Pyrethins are a mixture of six chemicals that are toxic to insects, according to the National Pesticide Information Center based at Oregon State University. Pyrethins are found in some chrysanthemum flowers, and in some cases can be used on organic products.

OMG! There's an organic pesticide? And it's “toxic?” You know what they say, if it kills insects, what will it do to us? And they're drenching pot with this stuff? Is nothing sacred?

The article continues:

The mistake might qualify as a violation under Oregon administrative rules, Pettinger said. Failure to keep proper records is a Class III violation; the first offense is punishable by up to 10 days of business closure and a $1,650 fine. Four violations within a two-year period can lead to license revocation.

Shoots, if this had happened in Hawaii, they'd be calling the EPA and demanding a civil rights investigation into this blatant violation of human rights by the dirty pesticide pushers.

Where's Earthjustic when you need 'em?