County spraying Roundup endangers our health
I am saddened and appalled that I found myself behind the county truck spraying Roundup along Mamalahoa Highway in Waimea on Nov. 23 just before 1 p.m. They sprayed the mowed grass and fence lines all along the side of the road. They passed several businesses, school bus stops and even school crossing zones. I got caught behind the spraying and due to the wind blowing, I got a lot of drift blown onto my car. My eyes are burning now and I have a terrible taste in the back of my throat. I can’t imagine how someone with their windows down or even a biker or anyone who happened to be outside at that moment feels right now. It has dawned on me that I have been poisoned and my county pays these guys to do so.
They were sighted spraying Waimea Park earlier Monday and hundreds of people will use that park today alone. There are children playing on grass that is still wet with Roundup in the park right this moment.
Our children are born to explore. They pick up everything and put things in their mouths. Their skin and lungs are much more absorbent than adult skin and lungs. Their growing bodies don’t have the ability to filter environmental toxins as well as adults. Their systems need nourishment, not poison.
There were no attempts to prevent anyone from walking, playing, laying or eating around these areas still wet with Roundup. No signs up, nothing noting that Roundup was sprayed today. People deserve to know. The label states that only the applicator is allowed to be in the area during spraying and zero effort was made to keep people and animals away from all areas.
It is time to stop, we deserve better. Our children certainly do. Private landscapers spraying our local store parking lots, the county spraying our neighborhoods, parks, bus stops, fence lines for miles, walking paths, telephone poles, and every single step you take outside I would bet has Roundup on it. Just look outside your car window next time you’re out driving and notice how often you see brown dead Roundup burns.
Kami Carter
Waimea
Some Syrian refugee concerns are valid
According to a recent poll, 65 percent of Hawaii residents oppose the immigration of refugees, as advocated by the president and governor. The main concerns include: 1) Lack of adequate vetting to discern terrorists from non-terrorists; and 2) Lack of adequate resources with which to provide for such refugees.
The federal departments of Homeland Security, CIA, and FBI have all advised the president that there is insufficient manpower, and inadequate intelligence information, in order to properly/adequately screen all refugees, according to news reports. The news media also showed a White House spokesperson saying that the refugees will be vetted.
What is the truth? Who should we believe? All islands of our state have many people who are homeless, as well as recipients of state and private assistance, and such resources are stretched in order to provide for the people already here. When was the last time you heard any of those agencies saying they have enough, or too much money?
No one seems to say that all refugees should not be allowed in. No one seems to say all Muslims are terrorists. The concerns about security against terrorists, and provision for immigrants, are valid. It falls upon those who advocate relocation of refugees into Hawaii to clearly address those issues, instead of merely relying on a non-substantive argument of “it’s against our values.”
The Preamble of the U.S. Constitution states, in relevant part, “provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare.” Those sworn as elected official within the U.S. must abide by these principles. We deserve to be clearly told how this will be accomplished.
Albert Nakaji
Papaikou