Action Alert: Communities Deserve the Right to Know
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. Restricted use pesticides (RUP’s) are more toxic and require a certification to apply. These are not the general use pesticides you can purchase over the counter.
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. However, the way the pesticide data is currently reported does not provide enough information to assess risk, or for concerned residents to understand what they may be exposed to. This is of particular concern for our keiki because they are more vulnerable to pesticide impacts.
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. SB3316 has been scheduled for a joint hearing of the Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection and the Senate Committee on Ways and Means on Friday, March 1st at 9:50am.
Please submit written testimony in support by Thursday, Feb. 29th
Communities deserve the right to know!
Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection (CPN) &
Senate Committee on Ways and Means (WAM)
Friday, March 1, 2024 at 9:50 AM
Conference Room 211 & Videoconference
(no oral testimony accepted)
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 Dela Cruz, Chair Keohokalole, Vice Chair Moriwaki, Vice Chair Fukunaga 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!
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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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