"ALERT"

a repeat performance...

With the passing of a recent Kona low so went our temporary abatement from chronic pesticide poisoning. Westerly winds, persistent rains and humid environmental conditions brought headaches, muscle soreness, lethargy, dizziness, and difficulty breathing for students and staff of WCMS. Governmental faith in the self-serving science and semantic actions of a multi-national corporation has precluded the rights of children. The pursuit of a bottom line has subverted innocence. This being the second incident of a symptom "spike" indicative of pesticide poisoning this school year, our fear is that the worst has yet to come.

1. FACT SHEET ON HORMONE-DISRUPTING CHEMICALS
2.Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP): http://www.epa.gov/scipoly/oscpendo/

3. A Letter from Senator Hooser :

http://www.box.net/shared/ikjy06k08o

4. Warning, Pesticides Are Dangerous to Your Health!
by Nair, K. Prabhakar Et Al , Pesticide Action Network, Asia and the Pacific: 1999

A Primer for Health Care Providers

(1)*The University of Washington School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

RECOGNITION & ASSESSMENT OF PESTICIDE EXPOSURE

Acute organophosphate intoxications in children are frequently misdiagnosed, despite being linked closely in time with generally high pesticide exposures. This reflects a number of factors:

• Symptoms of organophosphate toxicity are not pathognomonic, particularly in children.

• Current medical education does not adequately prepare providers to have an index of suspicion regarding pesticide-related illness.

• Providers are not familiar with taking an environmental history as part of the overall clinical history.

1. Comprehensive information for health care professionals can be found at "Organophosphate Pesticides & Child Health: A Primer for Health Care Providers http://depts.washington.edu/opchild/index.html

Protecting Children from Pesticides

Kids need Protection

Children are at a greater risk for some pesticides for a number of reasons. Children's internal organs are still developing and maturing and their enzymatic, metabolic, and immune systems may provide less natural protection than those of an adult. There are "critical periods" in human development when exposure to a toxin can permanently alter the way an individual's biological system operates. Children may be exposed more to certain pesticides because often they eat different foods than adults. For instance, children typically consume larger quantities of milk, applesauce, and orange juice per pound of body weight than do adults. Children's behaviors, such as playing on the floor or on the lawn where pesticides are commonly applied, or putting objects in their mouths, increase their chances of exposure to pesticides. Adverse effects of pesticide exposure range from mild symptoms of dizziness and nausea to serious, long-term neurological, developmental and reproductive disorders. Americans use more than a billion pounds of pesticides each year to combat pests on farm crops, in homes, places of business, schools, parks, hospitals, and other public places (1,2,3).

1. "Protecting Children from Pesticides"
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/kidpesticide.htm
2. Pesticide Effects on Children: A landmark study* of preschool children, who were exposed to pesticides...
http://www.nutrition4health.org/NOHAnews/NNS99PestEffChild.htm
3. "Pesticide Toxicity and the Developing Brain" http://www.box.net/shared/lcbvw2woww

4. Image: "Do Not Spray - Pesticide Free Zone"
http://www.alternatives2toxics.org/donotspraysign.htm

Subjugated Knowledge

"We are a goverment of laws, not of men." Bruce Fein

On 08/08/07 Maluia-WCMS@hotmail.com received an unsolicited e-mail from Rodney Iwasaki of the Hawaii Dept. of Education (2). In the e-mail Mr. Iwasaki did not identify his position in the D.O.E but asseverated that his correspondence represented the Department of Education's response addressing Maluia-WCMS concerns. In an effort to provide explanation of what "has occurred to ensure that students and staff will return to a safe environment at Waimea Canyon Middle School and did Syngenta break the agreement;" Mr. Iwasaki has provided evidence of a continued pattern of complacency that has been endmeic of state agency anemic response to our concerns. Below is a list of questions any logical person would consider after reading Mr. Iwasaki's e-mail:

1. How long after Syngenta spray operations in field #809 did the environmental consultant conduct the pesticide screen?


2. Being that you are aware of the rapid metabolism rate of the found chemical Premethrin, why were the metabolic (1/2 life) rates of known sprayed cholinesterase inhibiting chemicals by Syngenta not considered when samples were collected during the D.O.E. screening?


3. Why did you provide a "sample" of the pesticide screen report and not the original (2)?


4. Looking at a GoogleEarth map with a total map scale of 568ft., how do you conclude Spraying inside the demarcation line of 660 feet to the school prior to 3:30 p.m. did not occur (3)?


5. Comparing the scaled GoogleEarth map with the video titled "Obdurate Behavior (Part 2)," , how do you conclude that it took the spray operator an hour to complete his task if working towards the school (4)?


6. How can you state that, "in the near future, Syngenta will be installing a buffer between the school and Field 809," when in fact the hedgerow along W.C.M.S campus is being removed (6)?


7. In the initial agreement letter Syngenta defers responsibility of establishing a "buffer" (understood to be a land easement) protecting students/staff from pesticide exposure to the landowner Kikiola Land Co.. Why is this effort not listed as a "point under discussion" with Syngenta or the landowner taking responsibility (2,5)?


8. As a proactive measure Syngenta is "encouraging existing plants, such as the African Tulip, Date Palms and other species to act as a buffer, which will help reduce or eliminate odors caused by spraying." Isn't this an admission that pesticide is the genesis of odors believed to be causing numerous student/staff illnesses at W.C.M.S (2)?


9. Why are Syngenta's "points still under discussion", only concerned with sharing their business model/philosophy and not an effort to exclude their application of cholinesterase inhibiting pesticide upwind of W.C.M.S as the cause of numerous repeated student/staff illnesses (that by coincidence are listed on known sprayed chemical MSDS)?


10. Are we a government of laws, or of men/women representing corporate interests (1)?

1. Bruce Fein is a nationally recognized constitutional lawyer.
2. Rodney Iwasaki Syngenta exoneration e-mail for 02/27/07 "Obdurate Behavior"

E-mail:http://www.box.net/shared/9e3mdukg0g
Attachement:https://app.box.com/shared/2o8u94nsc4

3. GoogleEarth map of field #809http://www.box.net/shared/sgo68r50kw

4. "Obdurate Behavior (Part 2)" videohttp://youtube.com/watch?v=A-wFqcGeNL8

5. Agreement Letter pg. 1 /2

pg. 1 https://app.box.com/shared/detlhx8qo8

pg.2 http://www.box.net/shared/wgg7jdh4wg

6. Video (08-13-07) taken behind W.C.M.S. campus Building -T, bordering field #809

http://youtube.com/watch?v=fCNRyQ6T0jY

7. Painting: "The Scream" by Edvard Munch

http://www.search.com/reference/The_Scream

D.O.A. (part 6)

"Diary of Apathy," continued ...


Scroll down for continued D.O.A: "Diary of Apathy" incident summary posts.

1. Cartoon: by Brad Fitz
http://www.iftheshoefitz.com/

"A Question of Credibility"

Maluia-WCMS has received numerous e-mail requests for the name of the person authoring this blog. More than one has stated that it is “A Question of Credibility”. One stated, “If the press can't pin a name and face to an issue they won't as readily go with a story.” In this David and Goliath saga we hope that a sagacious decision to remain anonymous will remove focus from the identity of one to a cause for many. As a result of an intentional effort to discredit, slander, take job action against those that have been transparent or support our cause, there remains a need to be discreet. Past irresponsible, inaccurate press coverage on our situation has been more detrimental than good. Our hope is that by providing bibliographic reference, and access to documents of public record, credibility is not an issue. Consider why is it that Syngenta or involved State agencies do not face this same dilemma? From explanations of “wild spider flower” that was never a problem at the school or even growing in field #809 as a cause for student/staff illness, Syngenta’s retort to the “Obdurate Behavior” video that they were only spraying “calcium” (on mature crops?), Dept. of Ag investigators ignoring eye witness testimony contradicting Syngenta statements/records as well as their egregious investigation, the Dept. of Education’s safety division test sampling and analysis of W.C.M.S where there hasn’t been pesticide application in over a month, to Syngenta’s fear mongering tactic using public health concerns as a threat to employment resulting in employee disconcert. There is indeed a question of credibility that is growing. As per “A Question of Credibility” pertaining to our coalition's concerns we ask the simple question, “if it looks like poo, and smells like poo, is it necessary to taste, to be sure its poo?”

1. Image: "Credibility"
http://www.naa.org/presstime/9807/cred.html
2. "PROHEXADIONE CALCIUM TECHNICAL PLANT GROWTH REGULATOR" :
http://pr-rp.pmra-arla.gc.ca/PR_SOL/pr_web.ve1?p_ukid=4970

"ALERT"

A repeat performance...

On 07/25/07 at 1pm Syngenta field workers were instructed to begin plowing field #809 (ag lands directly west of campus). Teachers reported seeing spray vehicles applying chemicals the week before on this same plot of land leased from Kikiola Land Company Ltd . The winds were a steady 10 knts. southwest with gusts of 20 knts. Clouds of pesticide-laden dust blocked out the clear sky as it was blown over Waimea Canyon Middle School campus. Teachers that were preparing their classrooms prior the official return date ran to close jalousie windows in an effort to prevent the assault Syngenta once again perpetrated upon the school. The audacity of Syngenta's most recent pernicious action is indicative of an omnipotent attitude and absolute disregard for the welfare of children that will only be resolved with legislation. Unaware of it's origin, teachers returning for their first day of the school year 2007-2008, spent a large part of the day cleaning the layer of dirt left on the desks, chairs, and other classroom surfaces when the death cloud settled and the sky again cleared. Those that were aware exhaled only at the fact that students were not present at the time. S.O.S (Save Our School).

1. Poster: "Warnings on Use of Pesticide"

http://www.cacinfo.org/pesticides.html

2. GoogleEarth map of field #809
http://www.box.net/shared/0crmd1f288

D.O.A (part 5)

"Dairy of Apathy" epitaph...

As a nationally recognized lawyer aware of the November incident and our current situation stated, “no one died so there are no damages. For every one lawyer representing your coalition, Syngenta will have ten. Someone has to die for us to get paid and no lawyer can go up against a company like Syngenta for free. Trust me there are many watching the school waiting.” As explained in an earlier post the agreement with Syngenta’s Doug Tiffany was negotiated. Tom Perry shared that at the agreement meeting Dr.Tiffany (Syngenta) admitted that when contacted in the past by the school that over spray was occurring, Syngenta’s policy was to continue spraying until done. This agreement was broken on 02/27/07 (see video). Syngenta continues to refine "Environmental Racism" as a social science with spinmasters offering specious excuses that are accepted without question by state agencies whose mission it is to protect the public. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a Syngenta employee told members of Maluia-WCMS that field #809 is a pesticide test field. Syngenta's own record of the varied regiment of chemiclas used on the field supports this claim. They also shared that Syngenta plants cleome gynandra as a soil enriching nitrogen crop as well as an “odor masking” agent. Up until the last week of the school year 2006-2007 there were “spikes” of illnesses indicative of chronic pesticide poisoning. Classes were relocated and additional pesticide misuse complaints were filed with the Dept. of Agriculture. Following past paradigm, inspectors took "swab" samples days after the exposure incident in areas of campus far from application points. Continued efforts are being made to characterize public health concerns as a threat to employment, the work of "fanatics", and student/staff illnesses as "hysteria". It is a pattern of behavior Syngenta has worked hard at perfecting in other parts of the country and world. Informal attempts show a significant correlation of Syngenta spray dates and student/staff "spikes" of illnesses. These illnesses are all listed on known chemical MSDS Syngenta has sprayed on field #809 and indicative of chronic pesticide exposure and poisoning. Due to legal issues of privacy we are unable to post e-mails that corroborate our position and videos further. As the 2007- 2008 school year begins Kikiola Land Ltd. has made a decision to clear the hedgerow that acted as our only protection from Syngenta's weekly spray schedule. Now when the winds blow out of the western hemisphere chemical drift will permeate across our campus unabated. Our only recourse at present is to hold our collective breath, literally. The end?.

1. "Environmental Racism" web bibliography

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-US&defl=en&q=define:Environmental+Racism&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title

2. GoogleEarth map of field #809

http://www.box.net/shared/0crmd1f288

3. Plants for a Future (Cleome Gynandra) :

http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Cleome+gynandra

D.O.A (part 4)

"Diary of Apathy" continued...

As if a team from a hired Syngenta public relations firm, D.O.A. Program Manager Robert Boesch, D.O.A. Pesticide Specialist Ann Kam, and Randy Higa (D.O.E safety officer), launched into a presentation characterizing Syngenta as a savior from the terrible wild spider flower. Randy Higa explained that he had been asked to facilitate the meeting and for teachers to, “trust Syngenta.” He went on to explain that Syngenta would now spray the field with herbicide in their effort to eliminate the wild spider flower. Teachers remonstrantly challenged that they had witnessed spraying in field #809 beginning 11/03/06 (1). In response Ann Kam announced forcefully, “nothing was sprayed on that field.” Robert Boesch then interjected that, “ there is no reason to believe differently.” Speaking over a maelstrom of comments as if speaking to himself, Mr. Boesch ignored staff protests and continued his presentation. Showing aerial photographs of fields’ miles away that Syngenta reported spraying, Mr. Boesch stated that it was impossible for the chemicals to be carried on the wind that distance. When asked about the investigation, Mr. Boesch shared that inspectors did not take foliage samples or soil samples, but did take “swabs” from the windows. It’s important to note that at the time of this presentation the results of the D.O.A investigation had not been completed. Also of note is that despite witnessing spray operations occurring contrary to Syngenta’s claims, school administrators didn’t join staff members in filing misuse complaints. On 01/10/07 The Garden Island newspaper published the results of the D.O.A. investigation which exonerated Syngenta by default. Review of the D.O.A. Syngenta Seeds, Inc./Waimea Canyon School Report Summary shows no mention of #809 and identifies the field closest to the school as field #802.1 (2). To be continued...

1. Agreement Letter pg. 1
http://www.box.net/shared/acdp55l0ko
2.Syngenta Seeds, Inc. Waimea Canyon School Report Summary
pg. 1 http://www.box.net/shared/o5jrrj98gs
pg. 2 http://www.box.net/shared/sgo68r50kw
pg. 3 http://www.box.net/shared/x9o8n8lkww
3. Cartoon: by J. Wright

D.O.A. (part 3)

"Diary of Apathy" continued...

The following day winds turned trades (northeast) giving a brief reprieve from the vile odor emanating from field #809 (1). Many parents kept their children home for reasons of continued illness or abject disbelief of the given explanation. Those that braved coming to school experienced a similar malaise with “flu-like” symptoms. On 11/16/06 winds turned westerly. Once again entire classes were moved to the cafeteria or library and for those that there remained no room it was necessary to remain in the classroom till days end. Tom Perry (HSTA) returned to campus and pleaded emphatically to the school’s administration for the school to be closed. Contrary to published reports, in truth the school was closed as a result of teachers concern for the students agreeing in mass to a sick out (2). Students and staff were not aware of the school’s official closing until the morning of 11/17/06. Syngenta acting as savior continued to present on-going spray operations as an effort to rid wild spider flower (cleome gynandra) from the field (3). Contradicting eyewitness testimony, Syngenta’s Doug Tiffany stated publicly that, “There hasn’t been an herbicide sprayed in over a month in the nearest field” (4). Field #809 (directly west of W.C.M.S) was subsequently planted with G.M.O. corn (5). On 11/21/06 D.O.A. Program Manager Robert Boesch, D.O.A. Pesticide Specialist Ann Kam, and Randy Heiga (D.O.E safety officer) addressed the staff in the school’s library. To be continued…

1. Google Earth - WCMS

http://www.box.net/shared/mijze8kooc

2. The Garden Island: "Waimea Canyon Students Back in School"

http://www.kauaiworld.com/articles/2006/11/21/news/news03.txt

3. The Garden Island: Letters for Tuesday - November 21, 2006

http://www.kauaiworld.com/articles/2006/11/21/opinion/edit02.txt

4. The Garden Island: "Odor Investigation Ongoing"

http://www.kauaiworld.com/articles/2006/11/18/news/news01.txt

5. Syngenta letter of Agreement pg. 1:

http://www.box.net/shared/detlhx8qo8

D.O.A (part 2)

"Diary of Apathy," continued...

Members of the Kauai Fire department and K.P.D. arrived at Waimea Canyon Middle School (W.C.M.S) with blithe ignorance of the true situation. Officials for the Dept. of Agriculture, Dept. of Health, as well as Syngenta arrived later in the day (1). Syngenta spray vehicles had since been removed from the field adjacent campus (field #809). Michael Girod from Syngenta foisted into an investigation that narrowed down the most likely culprit as wild spider flower (2/3). Samples of the weed were put in a bucket and brought around for teachers to identify if it was the same smell (4). The majority of staff surveyed agreed that the weed lacked the fuel like chemical smell believed to be causing student/staff illness. D.O.A. officials proceeded with a "swab" sampling of window surfaces. With a heavy foliage hedgerow demarcating field #809 and the campus, as well as heavy rains throughout the previous week; contrary to E.P.A. recommendation this was the only sampling technique employed (5). Although given copies of known sprayed chemical MSDS information, eye witness testimony that spray operations occurred in an area Syngenta denied working; voiced concern of possible pesticide exposure was met with vehement exclusion by investigators. Interestingly once completed all officials moved to the front lawn of the administration building on the furthest eastern border of campus. Meanwhile students and staff filled the cafeteria and library trying to get away from the chemical smell. Without any additional locations to relocate, many students and staff were forced to remain in their classrooms. At days end insouciant Dept. of Health as well as Dept. of Agriculture personnel never recommended those affected report to a health care professional for an “AChE test” (6). To be continued...

1.The Garden Island : "‘Stink weed’ sends some home from Waimea School"
http://www.kauaiworld.com/articles/2006/11/15/news/news01.txt
2. Plants for a Fututre: "Edible, medicinal,and useful plants of a healthier world"
http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Cleome+gynandra
3. Agreement Letter pg. 1
http://www.box.net/shared/detlhx8qo8
4. Syngenta Seeds, Inc. Waimea Canyon School Report Summary of 11/14/07
pg. 1 http://www.box.net/shared/o5jrrj98gs
pg. 2 http://www.box.net/shared/sgo68r50kw
pg. 3 http://www.box.net/shared/x9o8n8lkww
5. E.P.A. inspection manual Chpt13.pdf
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/publications/monitoring/fifra/manuals/fifra/fiframanch_13.pdf
6. Extension Toxicology Network: CHOLINESTERASE INHIBITION
http://extoxnet.orst.edu/tibs/cholines.htm

D.O.A.

"Diary of Apathy"

On 11/03/06 Hawaii Dept. of Agriculture (D.O.A.) was contacted as per pesticide over spray occurring at Waimea Canyon Middle School (W.C.M.S). The multi-national corporation Syngenta had begun field preparations in an area west of W.C.M.S campus identified as field #809. Winds were blowing off the field towards the school and forecasts called for westerly winds throughout the week. Numerous students and staff were expressing symptoms indicative of pesticide poisoning. DOA inspector Ann Kam was contacted and explained that she was going on vacation but would send someone to the school to investigate. Later that day an employee of Syngenta (Michael Girod ?) came to the school and toured the campus with Vice Principal Linda Uyehara assuring her that Syngenta had no spray operations occurring in the area. When later asked, Mrs. Uyehara stated that she could not remember the employee’s name. Teachers concerned that perhaps the wrong company had been contacted as spray vehicles continued their onslaught of field #809 called the landowner (Kikiaola Land Co Ltd) confirming that Syngenta was the lessee. Field prep operations continued as more and more students and staff became ill from the foul fuel like chemical smell being carried on the westerly winds. On 11/14/06, 60 students reported to the health room complaining of headache, nausea, disorientation, and “flu-like” symptoms (1). School principal Glenda Miyazaki contacted Syngenta who again denied that they were working in the area. She then called Dept. of Health and was referred to HAZMAT who referred her back to D.O.H. As Syngenta employees continued their field operations students and staff most affected were relocated to other areas of campus. Adamant, teachers contacted HSTA union rep Tom Perry who immediately came to the campus. After witnessing the continued field operation and experiencing first hand the symptoms being reported by students and staff; Tom Perry called 911 and the Kauai Fire Dept. (2). To be continued….

1. The Garden Island Newspaper: "Report reveals discrepancies in spraying incident"
http://www.kauaiworld.com/articles/2007/03/12/news/news02.txt
2. Star Bulletin: "Stench Sickens Kids and Teachers at School"
starbulletin.com/2006/11/18/news/story08.html
3. Cartoon: by Terry Everton

"What You Don't Know Can Kill You"

The general term "pesticide" includes herbicides, fumigants, insecticides, nemacides, fungicides, miticides, rodenticides, termiticides, molluscides, acaricides, bird repellents and some wood preservatives (1).

In California, glyphosate is the third most commonly-reported cause of pesticide related illness among agricultural workers (2). The active ingredient in Syngenta's Touchdown product is glyphosate (3). Of the ten chemicals known to have been applied to Ag lands adjacent W.C.M.S (see Pesticide 101), glyphosate is the most benign. Six of the chemicals are considered Cholinesterase inhibitors (4). While the effects of cholinesterase inhibiting products are intended for insect pests, these chemicals can also be poisonous, or toxic to humans in some situations. Human exposure to cholinesterase inhibiting chemicals can result from inhalation, ingestion, eye and skin contact during the manufacture, mixing, or applications of these pesticides (5). Unfortunately, signs and symptoms of cholinesterase inhibition from exposure can be confused with influenza (flu), heat prostration, alcohol intoxication, exhaustion, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), asthma, gastroenteritis, pneumonia, and brain hemorrhage. This can cause problems if the symptoms of lowered cholinesterase levels are either ignored or misdiagnosed as something more or less harmful than they really are (5,6). To date Hawaii DOA/DOH has made no attempt to correlate the school health aide records of reported illness and/or staff statements with Syngenta spray operation application type, time & dates. Informal attempts show a significant correlation of spray dates and student/staff "spikes" of illness indicative of chronic pesticide exposure.

1. Colorado Dept. of Health and Environment
http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/HM/hhw/howto/pesticides.htm

2. "Glyphosate Fact Sheet"

Original Article: http://www.safe2use.com/poisons-pesticides/pesticides/organo/glyphosate.htm

3. Product Details: Touchdown HiTech (Herbicide)

http://www.syngentacropprotection-us.com/prod/herbicide/TouchdownHiTech/

4. PAN Pesticides Database

http://pesticideinfo.org/Index.html

5. "CHOLINESTERASE INHIBITION"

http://www.uoguelph.ca/GTI/urbanpst/cholin_t.htm

6. Image: "Manifestations of Organophosphate Insecticide Poisoning"

http://www.nutrition4health.org/NOHAnews/NNS90PesticideEffectsBodyDiagram.htm

"Obdurate Behavior"

Obdurate: hardened in wrongdoing or wickedness; stubbornly impenitent.

On February 8, 2007 Syngenta's Doug Tiffany met with Waimea Canyon School administrators, HSTA rep Tom Perry, and D.O.E. rep Nathan Kawaguchi to discuss Syngenta spray operations taking place on agricultural lands west of W. C. M. S. campus. In a letter dated 02/16/07 (see "Agreement letter"), after professing Syngenta's primary monetary concern Doug Tiffany detailed steps Syngenta would take in an effort to alleviate chronic pesticide/herbicide exposure of students and staff. To quote his first bullet point, "If there is a field closer that 660 feet to the school, no spraying will be conducted until after 3:30pm on days that school is in session." On 02/27/07 Syngenta broke this agreement beginning spray operations in field #809 (located directly west of W.C.M.S. campus) prior 3:30pm while students and staff were still on campus. For a video of this incident go to http://youtube.com/watch?v=jl2lE7k-43c . Thereafter spray operations continued without respite despite numerous student and staff complaints of symptoms indicative of pesticide/herbicide exposure.

1. Agreement Letter

pg. 1 http://www.box.net/shared/detlhx8qo8

pg.2 http://www.box.net/shared/wgg7jdh4wg

Inspiring words of Erin Brockovich

a forward from Gloria Hillard, NPR

Philosophy
April 16, 2007
People ask me all the time what I think and what my opinion is.Well, here are a few of my thoughts and beliefs:Everyone believes, because of the movie, that I am an environmental activist. I am often referred to as the environmentalist with cleavage. I do care a great deal about the environment but my real work and my greatest challenge is trying to overcome deceits that end up jeopardizing public health and safety.I am an advocate for awareness, the truth, and a person's right to know. I believe that in the absence of the truth, all of us stand helpless to defend ourselves, our families and our health, which is the greatest gift we have. As with everything, some people always go too far, too far to the right, too far to the left, and this is true of environmentalism and now, in many instances, our issues fall on a deaf ear. Often times we don't think about or worry about or understand what is happening to another until it happens to us. Deceits have no boundaries. Disease doesn't recognize the color of our skin or our political parties affiliation. When it comes to cover-ups and destruction of our environment, we our all up for grabs. A lot of times I am motivated or become very inspired by a cliché. They make me think and more often than not can be true. For example, "an informed citizen is the only true repository of the American will" - Thomas Jefferson. Oh how right he was. I believe that our perception of things become our reality. It is how you choose to see yourself, your character, that can actually determine your fate. Most people don't know that my favorite movie is not "Erin Brockovich" but "Pay It Forward". All of us should pay it forward but not with the expectation of seeing a reward, that is not why we do it. Pay if forward because it is the right thing to do, reward or not. If you follow your heart, if you listen to your gut, and if you extend your hand to help another, not for any agenda, but for the sake of humanity, you are going to find the truth.

Environmental Racism on Kauai's Westside

Like a prehistoric monster looking for it's prey, a chemical sprayer works it's way towards a building of classrooms on Waimea Canyon Middle School campus. With winds blowing towards campus it's sonance carried on the breeze strikes fear in children and adults knowing it's breath will soon cause discomfort, pain, illness, and possible future death. (see video)

Environmental racism can be defined as the intentional siting of hazardous waste sites, landfills, incinerators, and polluting industries in communities inhabited mainly by African-American, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asians, migrant farm workers, and the working poor. Minorities are particularly vulnerable because they are perceived as weak and passive citizens who will not fight back against the poisoning of their neighborhoods in fear that it may jeopardize jobs and economic survival (1). Environmental injustice and racism occur not only when policymakers violate minorities' rights to free informed consent or equal treatment in siting decisions but also when risk assessors use biased scientific methods whose policy consequences de facto result in unjustified discrimination against people of color and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups (2). 50 percent of Asian/Pacific Islanders and Native Americans are living in communities with one or more abandoned or uncontrolled toxic waste sites (1,2). A study by the Environmental Protection Agency concluded that socioeconomic conditions and race are the major factors determining environmental discrimination (3).

1. "Fighting Environmental Racism: A Selected Annotated Bibliography " by Irwin Weintraub,
http://ipmall.info/risk/vol7/winter/wigley.htm
2. "Environmental Racism and Biased Methods of Risk Assessment" by Daniel C. Wigley & Kristin S. Shrader-Frechette. http://www.piercelaw.edu/risk/vol7/winter/wigley.htm
3. United States Environmental Protection Agency. 1992. Environmental Equity: Reducing Risk For All Communities. Washington, DC: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Policy Planning and Evaluation.

Pesticide 101

The following is a partial list of herbicide/pesticide/fungicides that have been used on Ag lands adjacent to Waimea Canyon Middle School during the 06-07 school year. Active chemical is listed and product name is in parentheses. Go to the Pesticide 101 for a spreadsheet summarizing symptoms caused as a result of exposure and toxicity of chemical.

Glyphosate (Touchdown Hitech)
EPTC (Eradicaine)
Mesotrione (Callisto)
Alachlor (Intrro)
Atrazine
Baccilus Thuringiensis (Xentari)
Chlorothalonil (Bravo)
Mancozeb
Carbaryl

Links for information about these chemicals can be found at:
http://www.pesticideinfo.org/Index.html
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ipcs/nicstart.html
http://hazard.com/msds/

Risk Assessment Petition

The "Risk Assessment Petition" is representative of over 90% of adult staff currently working at Waimea Canyon Middle School. The signatures were gathered over a 2-day period. Due to time constraints and extenuating circumstances not all staff members had the opportunity to sign. Maluia-WCMS has posted an online "Risk Assessment Petition" form that community members and parents may sign. The original "Risk Assessment Petition" has been sent as a separate document to HSTA, Governor Lingle, the Board of Education, State Representatives, and the EPA.

A letter from Dr. Lorrin Pang

This post is a pasted e-mail copy.

Aloha to all,

Here is my report on this issue (see link). Please pass it to anyone you think would/should be interested (DOE, media, EPA, Dept of AG, Syngenta, etc). I have told the DOH that I would be writing this and will send them a copy. Rather than go on and on about the chemicals I think at this stage we should get better monitoring and admit that the spraying may be affecting the school.

If you have questions please let me know and remember I am doing this not officially but as a private citizen. But if someone needs my credentials I have my Boards in Preventive Medicine, 60 published articles in peer reviewed medical journals, have been an active consultant to the World Health Organization since 1985 and last year was elected as one of America's Best Doctors (3% get chosen).

Lorrin

E Komo Mai (Welcome)

Aloha,
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