"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