tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post6492995017018791741..comments2023-10-17T04:51:08.765-10:00Comments on KauaiEclectic: Musings: Christopher Pala's Hit PieceJoan Conrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00172330100788007499noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-20808960761255517612015-12-30T09:02:34.521-10:002015-12-30T09:02:34.521-10:00Joan Conrow, I wanted to sincerely thank you for t...Joan Conrow, I wanted to sincerely thank you for this enlightening piece. As a city girl from the mainland I can see where thousands like me are being duped on a daily basis, in our newsfeeds and elsewhere with the biased nonexpert articles that pull at the heartstrings. While the Guardian piece may be not as grossly biased as a Natural News item it's alarming how much is left out- the air monitoring of 29 naturally occurring comounds is quite telling. And completely bypassing the state dept official's statement? It's as insane as embracing the parallel "science" of the anti vax folks who theorize the CDC as being evil lol.<br /><br />If people only took the time to set aside their emotion a bit like I did and explore the potential of GM, how much farming has improved, the reduction of harmful herbicides they would be quite moved. Thank you for this amazing source, and a shining example of how the lazy and shoddy journalism has become..in line with consumers like me getting banned from ridiculous sites like GMOFree USA who and prefer keeping folks in the dark, the anti-science and primitive food movements will ultimately be self defeating.<br />Andre Beyernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-22411503321590881782015-10-23T23:56:40.031-10:002015-10-23T23:56:40.031-10:00No, nothing published since 2005. No, nothing published since 2005. Joan Conrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00172330100788007499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-61234694797717539412015-10-23T19:27:30.697-10:002015-10-23T19:27:30.697-10:00Joan, do you know if there is any data on birth de...Joan, do you know if there is any data on birth defect trends past 2005?? I am trying to debunk an article on Facebook but can find recent data...TMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03501737845566615422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-28369042186045482862015-10-23T19:26:16.183-10:002015-10-23T19:26:16.183-10:00The companies don't "import" labor.....The companies don't "import" labor...they sometimes contract it out through third party employment agencies. These agencies employ all kinds of people--native Hawaiians, third-generation Filipinos, "haoles", locals, and yes, even people from Mexico, Africa, Australia...it's called "equal opportunity employment". TMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03501737845566615422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-42246124823059819882015-10-21T14:29:27.158-10:002015-10-21T14:29:27.158-10:00Stephen, Since you aren't even aware that Mon...Stephen, Since you aren't even aware that Monsanto has no presence on Kauai, I have no confidence your "review" of glyphosate and GM crops will be any better informed. The biggest hurdle you face is a lack of awareness of your ignorance. Joan Conrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00172330100788007499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-78168290001887457202015-10-21T13:57:28.558-10:002015-10-21T13:57:28.558-10:00As a Hawaii "worshipper", I am saddened ...As a Hawaii "worshipper", I am saddened by what I have read about Monsanto using Kauai as a test lab for developing increasingly horrific pesticides. My recent review article in the LA progressive regarding glyphosate and GM crops may be of some use in this discussion, please see: https://www.laprogressive.com/glyphosate/<br />And/or see the reprint that has a few enhancements (photos and annotations): http://www.wilderutopia.com/health/gmo-herbicide-glyphosate-toxic-to-ecosystems-carcinogenic-to-you/ Feel free to circulate the article widely.<br />And, please note that, as of a few days ago, we have won the first round of this battle in that glyphosate products in CA will now be labelled as "cancer causing". And we now have greater hurdles to get over.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08016065252128791719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-3592468565002409652015-08-31T06:37:54.005-10:002015-08-31T06:37:54.005-10:00The state is in the process of updating the regist...The state is in the process of updating the registry and it will be public. That will be the time to determine if there are any increases in birth defects. From there, it's a another process to determine the cause. If you looked at the registry you'll see drugs, alcohol use, young mothers and poor prenatal care are the primary causes. It's fine to raise all issues for discussion so long as it's clear what is fact and what is speculation. Pala's piece is based entirely on speculation and misinformation. Joan Conrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00172330100788007499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-52752241493134987062015-08-31T05:07:52.249-10:002015-08-31T05:07:52.249-10:00Joan,
First, thanks for your recent piece on Ke...Joan,<br />First, thanks for your recent piece on Ke'e - I was happy to hear of what seemed a thoughtful proposal to address the issues of overcrowding, etc. and disappointed to see that there is so much opposition when most would probably agree that some change is needed at this point.<br /><br />Second, while there may be flaws in some of Mr. Pala's research, it does seem that there are issues worth further exploration. With respect to birth defects, the state study you cited only covered the years up to 2005, which offers no perspective on public health trends for the past 10 years. Nor did it study clusters - the most it did with respect to breaking down impacts with respect to geography was analyzing the differences between urban and rural areas. Cluster impacts could easily fly under the radar in an overall trend of declining birth defects in statewide data. And for what it's worth, one type of defect that is on the rise according to that same study is gastroschisis, the same defect cited as being on the rise in this article anecdotally.<br /><br />I would like all sides to be objective here - it's the only way to know for sure what is happening (or not happening as the case may be) when it comes to pesticides and their impacts on the people that live around the areas where they are used. And the best way to get there is through complete transparency and not substituting red herrings for real debate.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-2383397197386997462015-08-26T07:33:31.405-10:002015-08-26T07:33:31.405-10:00@7:27. Reliable like the first hand reports of non...@7:27. Reliable like the first hand reports of non-existent stream diversions and "chem trails" sprayed over Kapaa schools? Joan Conrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00172330100788007499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-25162958678634337422015-08-26T07:29:41.719-10:002015-08-26T07:29:41.719-10:00oh and Nomi stop trying to make like you local. Yo...oh and Nomi stop trying to make like you local. You're from SoCalAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-81537846223664790952015-08-26T07:27:38.692-10:002015-08-26T07:27:38.692-10:00The state is doing their data collection and will ...The state is doing their data collection and will eventually be on Kauai---until then, people's first hand reports are pretty reliable since they have actually witnessed or suffered/suffering from the problem.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-49730150081673709882015-08-26T07:27:34.755-10:002015-08-26T07:27:34.755-10:00I agree with Bronson. We are all sick of Nomi and ...I agree with Bronson. We are all sick of Nomi and her troublemaking. She never will stand accountable for the stupid things she says. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-36395649248275781292015-08-26T07:23:32.487-10:002015-08-26T07:23:32.487-10:00Who is Bronson Kaahui? What radio station does he...Who is Bronson Kaahui? What radio station does he work for? Such angry words---hey let everyone have their say! Cool down---I know it's been humid and hot. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-25863242729732504102015-08-26T04:53:11.927-10:002015-08-26T04:53:11.927-10:004:46 --- Despite what some have claimed, the state...4:46 --- Despite what some have claimed, the state has continued to collect data on birth defects and the registry is being updated. <br /><br />The good neighbor website is current through July 2015, as the companies disclose RUP use monthly. You need to scroll down to the bottom.<br /><br />https://data.hawaii.gov/Health/Kaua-i-Agricultural-Good-Neighbor-Program-RUP-Use-/9pud-c8q5Joan Conrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00172330100788007499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-86182183649950800952015-08-26T04:46:50.582-10:002015-08-26T04:46:50.582-10:00The birth defects report only goes up to 2005.
The...The birth defects report only goes up to 2005.<br />The good neighbors web site only has data going up to a year ago. <br /><br />And this is supposed to inspire confidence? Telemaquehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09726911048021799087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-32105918696749730092015-08-25T19:20:52.908-10:002015-08-25T19:20:52.908-10:00LOL Nomi Carmona always has something stupid to sa...LOL Nomi Carmona always has something stupid to say on Facebook or in the comment section, but like all anti-GMO activists she is an intellectual coward. I issued an open challenge to every anti-gmo activist in Hawaii to come try to debate me live on the radio. Of course none of these cowards dared to call in, but Nomi did send a cute little email which proves she listened to the whole program.<br /><br />Nomi if you got something stupid to say you know exactly where to find me. Come try to debate me any time you big bully. I would love nothing more than to humiliate you in front of everyone. Your venomous tongue spews nothing but lies and deceit. Your message of hatred and violence must be openly confronted and exposed by people like me. We can't allow you to poison the minds of the keiki with your lies and anti-science views. Take your California Cult anti-GMO religion back to where it came from and leave these islands in peace as you found them. We are tired of this pointless war that you have declared on progress and the children of the 3rd world. <br /><br />Zero respect for wealthy white westerners who care nothing for the children of the 3rd world. Their lives are more important than your religion. Exponentially more important. Bronson Kaahuihttp://www.bronsonkaahui.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-68292042617983006732015-08-25T18:11:08.006-10:002015-08-25T18:11:08.006-10:006:40 and 6:47,
A label that just says “GMO” is mea...6:40 and 6:47,<br />A label that just says “GMO” is meaningless since “GMO” is a process not an ingredient. It would be like mandating labels for the “kosher” or “halal” processes (both of which appear on the market). Note that none of your label examples are about a process. They are about actual ingredients, like “peanuts” or “MSG”.<br /><br />If it is really about informing the consumer about ingredients, then you need a label that tells you which GENE (i.e. biotech event) has been introduced, “GMO-ed” if you will. There are 37 events that have been approved in corn for food. How do you propose to track which of them is in the bag of cereal? Perhaps the label should read: “This product may contain ingredients that might contain one of the biotech events allowed for use in food by the FDA”? Sort of like the peanut disclaimer of which you are so fond. Anything else would require a massive bureaucracy and paper trail, increasing food costs for all of us, not just the few who think it is worth it.<br /><br />http://www.isaaa.org/gmapprovaldatabase/advsearch/default.asp?CropID=6&TraitTypeID=Any&DeveloperID=Any&CountryID=US&ApprovalTypeID=1<br /><br /><br />8:20,<br />First, a starting position at a local seed-company pays about $20/hour. Then there are the health care and 401k contributions, not to mention other benefits like tuition credits for college, that bring the real wage up to about $30. Not a bad for jobs that require only a high school diploma.<br /><br />Second, you demand that the seed companies reduce the pay differential between their CEOs and the field workers. Are you equally worked up about the differential between the night-shift staff at the hotels and their CEOs?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-62393900428109492992015-08-25T15:11:00.607-10:002015-08-25T15:11:00.607-10:00Can we PLEASE end the comments on this blog with t...Can we PLEASE end the comments on this blog with the dose of reality succinctly and eloquently provided by Manuahi? Anonymous at 1:02 PM drags us back down to paranoid fantasy land.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-56073628157885920502015-08-25T13:02:06.949-10:002015-08-25T13:02:06.949-10:00manuahi, you're on the right track. government...manuahi, you're on the right track. government intervention is needed to create incentives for local food production-GMO seed companies do not provide that yet they receive breaks from the state. something is wrong w/that picture! state subsidies for water, taxes, workforce housing, etc...we can support local food production w/innovative programs but the influence of the chem based industry has hijacked AG everywhere and now there is a worldwide pushback. hawaii is in the middle of it! we can be part of the problem or part of the solution; the choice is ours!<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-54192626892859473062015-08-25T09:53:18.987-10:002015-08-25T09:53:18.987-10:00Nice thoughts 9:07. Mahalo! But the problem is t...Nice thoughts 9:07. Mahalo! But the problem is that conventional agriculture just doesn't generate enough kala to more than offset all the costs of doing it here in Hawaii. If these crops were economically viable, then all the large land owners would have gone into it as sugar died just to maintain a viable ag base. Sugar died for the very reasons these other suggested crops wouldn't be profitable. The hard thing is that it takes a commercial farmer to understand all the costs, the risks and the hurdles that prevent successful large-scale food and materials farming. The key word here is "successful". Farming is a business and needs to make a profit to survive just like any other business. What's amazing is the number of people who speak out so confidently about it yet have zero experience in the field. I guess it's just human nature to try and be helpful with solutions that unbeknownst to them have already been tried and failed. The bottom like is that popular crops can be grow just about everywhere else less expensively than in Hawaii....even considering this cost of importing food to Hawaii from the mainland. So the only way for those of you who think we should have our fields full of food crops to "sustainability" reasons will happen is if the government takes over and farming becomes a cost center as opposed to a profit center. So it would take many tax dollars to supplement the insufficient revenues necessary to make large-scale conventional farming viable here. Even many of the food crops grown in the mainland requiire government supports to remain viable. Manuahihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10935756151568533081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-3531777998242319582015-08-25T09:07:23.216-10:002015-08-25T09:07:23.216-10:00I think civil discourse is a thing we accept in a ...I think civil discourse is a thing we accept in a democracy---feels good to be able to stand up for what one believes in. Also, it seems that small farmers are doing better with the gmo discourse going on---i don't see AG being harmed---i see people getting involved to provide more avenues for people to get involved in other AG ventures. . . . . like getting into mango on the westside and probably filling up all the sugar areas with hemp, bamboo, eucalyptus, sandal wood, small farms, etc. Just my simplistic mind working overtime here. . . . . .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-33857965039495008442015-08-25T07:42:09.521-10:002015-08-25T07:42:09.521-10:00Thanks, 8:20 pm. You've proven the point made ...Thanks, 8:20 pm. You've proven the point made by 7:24 pm.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-43050070816768594072015-08-25T07:16:56.850-10:002015-08-25T07:16:56.850-10:00Why would you think seed corn is not labelled? As ...Why would you think seed corn is not labelled? As Joan has implied many times, the seed companies are proud of these products and farmers pay a premium for the desired seed qualities for their market. The seed is labelled on the seed corn bags that usually have an attached instructional leaflet. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-59224304664765691502015-08-25T04:52:07.046-10:002015-08-25T04:52:07.046-10:00There's no way I'd work in those fields fo...There's no way I'd work in those fields for $25/hour! Do you know how hot and dusty it is there? Geez. If the antis would get their heads out of the dirt maybe they'd figure out work is work. Everyone should be thankful to have a job here. It is very hard to find one and keep one. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-3478051223479234982015-08-24T20:20:26.476-10:002015-08-24T20:20:26.476-10:00Joan says "Paid well compared to what?" ...Joan says "Paid well compared to what?" How about compared to all the other workers at their own companies (including supervisors, bosses, ceoʻs, etc.? Paid a good living wage so they can support their families. Paid a wage that will attract locals so that imported workers are not needed. Paid a wage that reflects and rewards the incredibly hard labor they put forth daily. So terrible that the hardest workers receive the lowest wages. More equality between high and low income earners (at the same company) is a good direction to go. What prevents the highest income earners at a seed company from reducing their wages and raising those of the lowest income earners? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com