I am a resident of Maui in Kihei Hawaii. I am writing to testifying my opposition to Bill 131 be rejected for the following reasons:
1. The requirement to use environmentally and safe products on public lands including parks and sporting fields was passed specifically to protect the land and people of Maui. It was requested, actually demanded, by the residents of the County of Maui.
2. The concept that pesticides and synthetic fertilizers should be used in lieu of environmentally and humanly safe products is unreasonable and potentially will lead to further deterioration of our island lands, wildlife, and our oceans and ocean life. Synthetics fertilizers and pesticides are wrought with health risks for our children and other community members.
3. The County of Maui has put out for bid and approved the bids for products that are environmentally safe and safe for all people and animals. Local vendors have procured and are storing these products and yet the County of Maui has not completed acquisition of these products from the vendors nor begun to utilize them and we are going into the second quarter of the fiscal year for which these were purchased.
4. Organic and environmentally safe pest management is effective and in keeping with indigenous ethics and actions.
5. Though battery operated equipment is not entirely free of the use of fossil fuels in production, it does significantly reduce the direct impacts of fossil fuels in our environment. As well, it reduces the noise pollution, they are safer with reduced vibration which can cause injury to operators, and eliminates the need for residents and businesses to store oil and gas, which are hazardous for inhalation and increase fire risk.
6. The County of Maui Council has a responsibility to follow the determinations of the constituents.
Aloha County Council Chairs and Members,
I am writing in opposition of the expansion of exclusions in Section 2.50.050 of the Maui County Code through Bill 131. The current text of the code allows for Parks & Recreation to request an exemption to the ordinance with justification. None of the supporting documentation provided with the current bill explain why an exemption is desired. The current ordinance motivates Parks and Rec to use environmentally responsible methods to manage county landscaping.
By moving to alternative landscaping methods that are currently available and locally produced on Maui, Parks & Rec has the opportunity to not just support Maui's economy, but also see the benefits as cost savings through the use of less water and industrial chemicals. As an added bonus, the County reduce their liability of exposing their employees and the public to toxins known to cause a range of short and long term illnesses.
Parks & Rec has a path to request a temporary exemption, with justification, under the current law. I hope you agree that changing the law is not necessary and would go counter to the County's mandate to protect both County residents and the environment from harm.
Mahalo,
John Starmer,
Kula Kai, Maui.
I oppose Bill 131 as it is a backwards step in protecting our reefs and our children and our own health and our overall environment From the harmful effects of pesticides and Chemical fertilizers when there are better reef friendly And safer options That are being used successfully. The county & the golf course have been complaining apparently about the attempts to Not use pesticides and chemical fertilizers and are Giving reports of irritation or unpleasant odors and so on And that means they're not doing it properly. that does not mean that we allow the use of chemicals that can cause harm to our environment, cause health conditions in our children and families and go backwards to a place that is unhealthy for the sake of ease and due to a lack of proper understanding and application of reef friendly and Environmental friendly techniques and knowledge. Bill 131 should Never have been suggested But further education Persistence with doing the right thing needs to happen. MNMRC has classes on using these techniques properly And the hotels are successfully using these with no disturbance to their customers or their staff- so if the hotels can do it without disturbing their guests which is really important for their bottom line then I think the county and the golf courses can as well. We need increased regulation on pesticides to come in line with more standard Practices, what we have is already too limited. Do not pass this bill and pass even better legislation and better monitoring and better enforcement Of the current laws. If we are to be the Maui that we all want to live in and the tourists want to visit Then we must do more to protect our environment and our reefs and our natural resources and our health for our economics as well as our Survival. We need to pay more attention to how we care for our earth and Practice the precautionary principle and only do things we know are safe -let's not experiment on the humans and the life on Earth without being sure it's not harmful because these chemicals have been proven to be harmful. And their ease of use is no excuse for using these poisons when there are good alternatives -Even if the alternatives take a little bit more education and effort and persistence and knowledge and work. Mahalo Genesis Young MD
I oppose Bill 131 as it is a backwards step in protecting our reefs and our children and our own health and our overall environment From the harmful effects of pesticides and Chemical fertilizers when there are better reef friendly And safer options That are being used successfully. The county & the golf course have been complaining apparently about the attempts to Not use pesticides and chemical fertilizers and are Giving reports of irritation or unpleasant odors and so on And that means they're not doing it properly. that does not mean that we allow the use of chemicals that can cause harm to our environment, cause health conditions in our children and families and go backwards to a place that is unhealthy for the sake of ease and due to a lack of proper understanding and application of reef friendly and Environmental friendly techniques and knowledge. Bill 131 should Never have been suggested But further education Persistence with doing the right thing needs to happen. MNMRC has classes on using these techniques properly And the hotels are successfully using these with no disturbance to their customers or their staff- so if the hotels can do it without disturbing their guests which is really important for their bottom line then I think the county and the golf courses can as well. We need increased regulation on pesticides to come in line with more standard Practices, what we have is already too limited. Do not pass this bill and pass even better legislation and better monitoring and better enforcement Of the current laws. If we are to be the Maui that we all want to live in and the tourists want to visit Then we must do more to protect our environment and our reefs and our natural resources and our health for our economics as well as our Survival. We need to pay more attention to how we care for our earth and Practice the precautionary principle and only do things we know are safe -let's not experiment on the humans and the life on Earth without being sure it's not harmful because these chemicals have been proven to be harmful. And their ease of use is no excuse for using these poisons when there are good alternatives -Even if the alternatives take a little bit more education and effort and persistence and knowledge and work. Mahalo Genesis Young MD
Aloha Chair Johnson, Vice Chair Sinenci and Committee Members,
I oppose any attempt to undo Maui Countyʻs wise decision a few years ago to choose non toxic turf amendments and integrated pest control techniques.
This was a carefully thought out decision that protects our keikiʻ, our kupuna, our pets, our reefs and our precious fresh water.
I inquired with an expert golfer about the Waihee course course, and he has visited it this past week and noted that itʻs in really great shape although it had some recent lapses in care.
I’ve heard there was a petition of 1000 people who have been complaining about the poor condition of the golf course and that the War Memorial stadium had to cancel events?
Can that petition be publicly shared?
I canʻt understand why Mayor Bissen and our Parks Department would support this amendment to change a County Code that protects our environment, keiki, all ages of citizens including our kupuna and pets to destroying all the hard work that has gone into this important decision to make this transition to non toxic fertilizers and pest control for our County Parks, playfields, golf courses, and walkways that keiki walk along to and from school.
We must not allow Maui County to go backwards into the toxic old days. Our county workers are safer now, our soil is being restored cause it’s not being poisoned. Our Ocean is cleaner.
Maybe there is room for improvement but let’s improve with the same goal in mind. Protecting our environment, keiki, and the health of all citizens and visitors who frequent our wonderful public parks, sports fields and golf course. Letʻs be the leader, not a follower in sustainable, non-toxic turf management.
We worked too hard to get here. Restoring balance with soil takes time.
Please don’t give up now.
Mahalo for saying No toxic chemicals in our County Parks and Recreation landscape maintenance program.
We have enough RUP use in Maui County by the private sector without our taxpayer’s money feeding the Chemical Corporations by using them in public places. Remember there are unforeseen consequences to being exposed to toxic chemicals. The workers who apply these chemicals are at high risk as well.
See comments submitted separately
I am a resident of Maui in Kihei Hawaii. I am writing to testifying my opposition to Bill 131 be rejected for the following reasons:
1. The requirement to use environmentally and safe products on public lands including parks and sporting fields was passed specifically to protect the land and people of Maui. It was requested, actually demanded, by the residents of the County of Maui.
2. The concept that pesticides and synthetic fertilizers should be used in lieu of environmentally and humanly safe products is unreasonable and potentially will lead to further deterioration of our island lands, wildlife, and our oceans and ocean life. Synthetics fertilizers and pesticides are wrought with health risks for our children and other community members.
3. The County of Maui has put out for bid and approved the bids for products that are environmentally safe and safe for all people and animals. Local vendors have procured and are storing these products and yet the County of Maui has not completed acquisition of these products from the vendors nor begun to utilize them and we are going into the second quarter of the fiscal year for which these were purchased.
4. Organic and environmentally safe pest management is effective and in keeping with indigenous ethics and actions.
5. Though battery operated equipment is not entirely free of the use of fossil fuels in production, it does significantly reduce the direct impacts of fossil fuels in our environment. As well, it reduces the noise pollution, they are safer with reduced vibration which can cause injury to operators, and eliminates the need for residents and businesses to store oil and gas, which are hazardous for inhalation and increase fire risk.
6. The County of Maui Council has a responsibility to follow the determinations of the constituents.
Aloha County Council Chairs and Members,
I am writing in opposition of the expansion of exclusions in Section 2.50.050 of the Maui County Code through Bill 131. The current text of the code allows for Parks & Recreation to request an exemption to the ordinance with justification. None of the supporting documentation provided with the current bill explain why an exemption is desired. The current ordinance motivates Parks and Rec to use environmentally responsible methods to manage county landscaping.
By moving to alternative landscaping methods that are currently available and locally produced on Maui, Parks & Rec has the opportunity to not just support Maui's economy, but also see the benefits as cost savings through the use of less water and industrial chemicals. As an added bonus, the County reduce their liability of exposing their employees and the public to toxins known to cause a range of short and long term illnesses.
Parks & Rec has a path to request a temporary exemption, with justification, under the current law. I hope you agree that changing the law is not necessary and would go counter to the County's mandate to protect both County residents and the environment from harm.
Mahalo,
John Starmer,
Kula Kai, Maui.
I oppose Bill 131 because we need more protection against pesticides, not less.
Reef Friendly Landscape works!
Sulara James, Maui
I oppose Bill 131 as it is a backwards step in protecting our reefs and our children and our own health and our overall environment From the harmful effects of pesticides and Chemical fertilizers when there are better reef friendly And safer options That are being used successfully. The county & the golf course have been complaining apparently about the attempts to Not use pesticides and chemical fertilizers and are Giving reports of irritation or unpleasant odors and so on And that means they're not doing it properly. that does not mean that we allow the use of chemicals that can cause harm to our environment, cause health conditions in our children and families and go backwards to a place that is unhealthy for the sake of ease and due to a lack of proper understanding and application of reef friendly and Environmental friendly techniques and knowledge. Bill 131 should Never have been suggested But further education Persistence with doing the right thing needs to happen. MNMRC has classes on using these techniques properly And the hotels are successfully using these with no disturbance to their customers or their staff- so if the hotels can do it without disturbing their guests which is really important for their bottom line then I think the county and the golf courses can as well. We need increased regulation on pesticides to come in line with more standard Practices, what we have is already too limited. Do not pass this bill and pass even better legislation and better monitoring and better enforcement Of the current laws. If we are to be the Maui that we all want to live in and the tourists want to visit Then we must do more to protect our environment and our reefs and our natural resources and our health for our economics as well as our Survival. We need to pay more attention to how we care for our earth and Practice the precautionary principle and only do things we know are safe -let's not experiment on the humans and the life on Earth without being sure it's not harmful because these chemicals have been proven to be harmful. And their ease of use is no excuse for using these poisons when there are good alternatives -Even if the alternatives take a little bit more education and effort and persistence and knowledge and work. Mahalo Genesis Young MD
I oppose Bill 131 as it is a backwards step in protecting our reefs and our children and our own health and our overall environment From the harmful effects of pesticides and Chemical fertilizers when there are better reef friendly And safer options That are being used successfully. The county & the golf course have been complaining apparently about the attempts to Not use pesticides and chemical fertilizers and are Giving reports of irritation or unpleasant odors and so on And that means they're not doing it properly. that does not mean that we allow the use of chemicals that can cause harm to our environment, cause health conditions in our children and families and go backwards to a place that is unhealthy for the sake of ease and due to a lack of proper understanding and application of reef friendly and Environmental friendly techniques and knowledge. Bill 131 should Never have been suggested But further education Persistence with doing the right thing needs to happen. MNMRC has classes on using these techniques properly And the hotels are successfully using these with no disturbance to their customers or their staff- so if the hotels can do it without disturbing their guests which is really important for their bottom line then I think the county and the golf courses can as well. We need increased regulation on pesticides to come in line with more standard Practices, what we have is already too limited. Do not pass this bill and pass even better legislation and better monitoring and better enforcement Of the current laws. If we are to be the Maui that we all want to live in and the tourists want to visit Then we must do more to protect our environment and our reefs and our natural resources and our health for our economics as well as our Survival. We need to pay more attention to how we care for our earth and Practice the precautionary principle and only do things we know are safe -let's not experiment on the humans and the life on Earth without being sure it's not harmful because these chemicals have been proven to be harmful. And their ease of use is no excuse for using these poisons when there are good alternatives -Even if the alternatives take a little bit more education and effort and persistence and knowledge and work. Mahalo Genesis Young MD
Aloha Chair Johnson, Vice Chair Sinenci and Committee Members,
I oppose any attempt to undo Maui Countyʻs wise decision a few years ago to choose non toxic turf amendments and integrated pest control techniques.
This was a carefully thought out decision that protects our keikiʻ, our kupuna, our pets, our reefs and our precious fresh water.
I inquired with an expert golfer about the Waihee course course, and he has visited it this past week and noted that itʻs in really great shape although it had some recent lapses in care.
I’ve heard there was a petition of 1000 people who have been complaining about the poor condition of the golf course and that the War Memorial stadium had to cancel events?
Can that petition be publicly shared?
I canʻt understand why Mayor Bissen and our Parks Department would support this amendment to change a County Code that protects our environment, keiki, all ages of citizens including our kupuna and pets to destroying all the hard work that has gone into this important decision to make this transition to non toxic fertilizers and pest control for our County Parks, playfields, golf courses, and walkways that keiki walk along to and from school.
We must not allow Maui County to go backwards into the toxic old days. Our county workers are safer now, our soil is being restored cause it’s not being poisoned. Our Ocean is cleaner.
Maybe there is room for improvement but let’s improve with the same goal in mind. Protecting our environment, keiki, and the health of all citizens and visitors who frequent our wonderful public parks, sports fields and golf course. Letʻs be the leader, not a follower in sustainable, non-toxic turf management.
We worked too hard to get here. Restoring balance with soil takes time.
Please don’t give up now.
Mahalo for saying No toxic chemicals in our County Parks and Recreation landscape maintenance program.
We have enough RUP use in Maui County by the private sector without our taxpayer’s money feeding the Chemical Corporations by using them in public places. Remember there are unforeseen consequences to being exposed to toxic chemicals. The workers who apply these chemicals are at high risk as well.
Ms. Barbara Barry
Tutu and Organic Farmer
Haíkū