Action Alert: Protect Our Keiki from Pesticide Drift!
In 2018 Hawaiʻi made great strides in protecting our communities from pesticide drift by passing the first in the nation ban of the neurotoxic pesticide, chlorpyrifos. In addition to banning this pesticide known to cause permanent neurological damage in children, Act 45 provided disclosure of restricted use pesticide (RUP) usage for the first time in Hawaiʻi as well as 100’ RUP buffer zones around schools during school hours.
2019 marked the first year RUP reporting data became publicly available. Analysis of this data has revealed that many communities are still heavily exposed to drift prone pesticides. 100’ buffer zones are simply not supported by scientific research. Research has shown that certain pesticides are known to drift over a mile and cause health impacts. Keiki are particularly vulnerable to pesticide exposure and we must prioritize their health.
Additionally, the way the pesticide data is currently reported does not provide enough information to assess risk.
These two bills will address gaps in the public health protections and reporting, and will be heard by the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment this Wednesday, Feb. 7th at 1pm.:
SB3315 Requires consistent units of measurement in reporting. Seeks to address gaps in public health protections by expanding RUP buffer zones from 100’ to ½ mile around schools, state and county parks, as supported by scientific research.
SB3316 Seeks to address current gaps in public reporting of RUP usage to ensure both public health studies can be conducted, and residents can more easily understand what they are potentially exposed to.
We need your help to protect our keiki and environment!
Please submit written testimony in support by Tuesday, Feb. 6th at 1pm
Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment (AEN)
Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at 1:00pm
Conference Room 224 & Videoconference
State Capitol 415 South Beretania Street
Support SB3315: Increased RUP Bufferzones
What Does This Bill Do?
Requires the Department of Agriculture to use consistent units of measurement in its summary to the public on the amounts of restricted use pesticides used. Establishes a one-half mile buffer zone for pesticides around schools and state and county public parks.
Sample Testimony:
Aloha Chair Gabbard, Vice Chair Richards and Members of the Committee,
Please support HB3315. An abundance of scientific literature on pesticide drift and the unique susceptibility of children to pesticide exposure provide a sound argument for establishing meaningful buffer zones to ensure even protections for communities, children, elderly and sensitive areas.
California has enacted similar legislation requiring pesticide buffer zones around schools, the farmworkers and communities living near agricultural areas. The measure had originally advocated for 1 mile buffer zones due to the abundance of research documenting pesticide drift and related health impacts up to a mile or further from the fields where they were applied.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) finds there to be a significantly increased health risk for children exposed to pesticides, and additional precautions must be taken to protect them from unintended exposure.
I am very concerned about long-term pesticide exposure of keiki while they are at school or at play in our parks, which constitutes a health threat that can lead to cancer, neurological, and respiratory damage, among other medical conditions.
Please protect our keiki and pass HB3315.
Mahalo for your consideration!
Your Name, Town
Submit testimony here (you will need a Capitol website account)
Support SB3316: Improved RUP Disclosure
What Does This Bill Do?
Requires monthly rather than annual reporting of restricted use pesticides. Amends the contents of reports to include specific geospatial data and information, site information, and increased detail on the amount of restricted use pesticides used. Requires the Department of Agriculture to develop an online reporting tool for restricted use pesticides.
Sample Testimony:
Aloha Chair Gabbard, Vice Chair Richards and Members of the Committee,
Please pass SB3316. While Act 45, Session Laws of Hawaii 2018, made steps to provide mandatory disclosure of Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP) use in Hawaiʻi, it has been difficult to access this information in a way that makes sense and is useful for the public and concerned citizens.
Act 45 established requirements intended to address pesticide abuse in Hawaii, including requiring all users of restricted use pesticides to annually report on their use of restricted use pesticides to the department of agriculture. However, robust and meaningful analysis of environmental and public health impacts of pesticides is contingent on more comprehensive reporting.
RUP data needs to include actual geospatial data that helps to better understand the actual location the pesticide was applied to.
California appears to lead the nation in studies of chronic health effects and/or associations with pesticide use. They are able to reach this level of scientific inquiry because they require careful reporting of pesticide applications that specify what was sprayed, where, when, and in what quantities. Improved reporting in Hawaii can provide policymakers and public health experts with important data with which to make evidence based decisions about pesticide use.
Mahalo for your consideration!
Your Name, Town
Submit testimony here (you will need a Capitol website account)
View HAPA’s 2024 Fair & Sustainable Food Systems Policy Agenda
Join us this session in supporting a broad array of bills designed to support local farmers, food producers, increase local food production, address inequities in our food system such as food insecurity, and support regenerative and indigenous farming/food production practices.
See more information below about HAPA’s 2024 FSFS policy agenda below and take action in support of these Fair & Sustainable Food System policy priorities!
New to Legislative Engagement? Learn more about how to engage in the Legislative Session!
Make sure you have set up your account on the Hawaii State Legislature website. If you are new to the process, see this helpful page on legislative engagement 101 from the Public Access Room including a link on how to submit testimony!
About Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action
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The Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action (HAPA) is deeply committed to championing social, economic, and environmental justice throughout Hawaiʻi. Recognizing the interconnected nature of food systems, we underscore that the challenges plaguing these systems are not isolated from broader social, economic, and environmental concerns. We believe in an integrated approach that addresses these interdependencies to create a just, equitable, and sustainable future for Hawaiʻi.
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