" I did my apprenticeship in the GMO seed/Pesticide industry.
A quite pall has encroached upon the beauty of Hawaii. Given cart blanche by federal and state government; biotechnology companies have become the islands most dangerous invasive species. As biotech's Petri dish of the Pacific, no other place in the world has the acreage of open air test fields as in Hawaii. With many of these test field's only short distances from communities and school's, Hawaii's citizens have unwittingly become the biotech industries human test subjects (i.e. guinea pigs). Believe in science? In a recent N.Y. Times article titled Crop Scientists Say Biotechnology Seed Companies Are Thwarting Research author Andrew Pollack writes, "Biotechnology companies are keeping university scientists from fully researching the effectiveness and environmental impact of the industry's genetically modified crops, according to an unusual complaint issued by a group of those scientists." History repeats itself. How many books need to be written, movies made before we learn to beware of wolves in sheep's clothing, those that bare false gifts, and in Hawaii's case fascists in farmers clothes? Please SUPPORT SB 239 "Right to Know" Bill and OPPOSE HB 1226 "Subjugation" Bill.
evidence maternal exposure to pesticide during specific gestation periods significantly increases the percentage of children born with ASD in a population. Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) include a range of developmental disabilities that are characterized by substantial impairments in social interaction and communication as well as the presence of unusual behaviors. The symptoms range from mild to very severe, appearing before the age of three and lasting throughout a person's life (1). With lead and mercury eliminated as significant factors, one study found that mothers living within 500m of sprayed field sites had a 6:1 ratio of children born with ASD as compared to mothers not living near treated field sites (2). Senator Hooser's Bill SB 3170 delineated a 1500ft pesticide-free buffer zone around schools. This Bill never made it out of committee the result of "farm, seed, and pesticide lobby," influence (3).
Children living on or near treated croplands can be exposed (to pesticides) through agricultural application drift, overspray, or off-gassing. Young children, who are likely to spend a large proportion of their time on the floor or ground and who frequently put hands and objects in their mouths, may be at particularly high risk of exposure . Addressing the conspicuous absence of information on chemical exposures and toxicity relating to children has become a priority at the EPA (2). Evidence that pesticide exposure may be associated with childhood cancer comes from case reports and several types of epidemiologic studies. Evidence from epidemiological studies suggests that environmental contaminants such as pesticides and certain chemicals, in
addition to radiation, may contribute to an increased frequency of some childhood cancers. Some studies have found that children born to parents who work with or use such chemicals are more likely to have cancer in childhood (3). Malignancies linked to pesticides in studies include leukemia, neuroblastoma, Wilms' tumor, soft-tissue sarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and cancers of the brain, colorectum, and testes. Many of the cancers associated with pesticides among children are the same cancers that are repeatedly associated with pesticide exposure among adults. There is a need to study and better quantify these exposures (4). Regulatory toxicology can no longer safely assume that "the dose makes the poison". Standard approaches used to develop estimates of safe exposure levels, by basing their design on a false assumption, are likely to have set safety standards that are not strong enough to protect public health (5). Although research is underway to characterize the risks of childhood cancer associated with pesticides and identify the specific pesticides responsible, it is prudent to reduce or, where possible, eliminate pesticide exposure to children, given their increased vulnerability and susceptibility. There is potential to prevent at least some childhood cancer by reducing or eliminating pesticide exposure (2,3,4). 
CLICK HERE: The following is an ingredient list of the pesticide cocktail that was applied by Syngenta Seeds Inc. to field #809 during the week leading up to the January 25, 2008 incident (2). 
attention is usually paid to the active ingredient in the pesticide product. The percentage of active ingredient in a formulation can range form 5% to 90%. The other percentage of the product is a cocktail of chemicals ranging from solvents to lesser “active pesticides" (1). These other ingredients are often referred to as “inerts”. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “an inert ingredient may have biological activity of it’s own, may be toxic to humans, and may be chemically active.” In 1997 the E.P.A. issued a notice which, “encourages manufacturers, formulators, producers, and registrants of pesticide products to voluntarily substitute the term ‘other ingredient’ as a heading for the inert ingredients in the ingredient statement on the label of the pesticide product.” “Many consumers are mislead by the term “inert ingredient,” believing it to mean “harmless” (2). State, federal, and international agencies have classified 26 percent of “inert ingredients” (about 600 chemicals) as hazardous.
during application or when the pesticides move that are attached to dust (3).
socioeconomically disadvantaged groups (3). 
“A collaborative approach to research that equitably involves all partners in the research process and recognizes the unique strengths that each brings. CBPR begins with a research topic of importance to the community and has the aim of combining knowledge with action and achieving social change..." (1)
Maluhia Group(Maluia-WCMS) is organizing a "Community-Based Participatory Research" project in an effort to determine the genesis of multiple illness of children and adults living on Kauai's westside. In response to governmental agency failure in the monitoring, and protection of the public’s health and welfare this effort includes physician's, chemists, legislators, academics, parents and community members. If you are interested in joining this effort please contact us at maluiawcms@hotmail.com.
The principles that guide the practice of community-based research include:
*A collaborative enterprise between researchers and community members.
*Validates multiple sources of knowledge and promotes the use of multiple methods of discovery and dissemination of the knowledge produced.
*Has as its goal social action and social change. (2)
1. WK Kellogg Foundation Community Health Scholars Program
http://depts.washington.edu/ccph/cbpr/u1/u11.php
2. Center for Social Justice Research, Teaching & Service - Georgetown University
https://www1.georgetown.edu/centers/socialjustice/
A primer for Hawaii State Dept. of Agriculture and Dept. Health officials.
"After field application, pesticides enter the various environmental compartments: the ground and surface waters, soil, plants and the atmosphere. Their occurrence in the atmosphere can occur as a result of drift during application or, subsequently, volatilization from soil, plants or surface water and by wind erosion. Pesticides may still be observed in the atmosphere after the treatment period has apparently ended in a region. Many observations and experimental studies highlight the contribution of volatilization to atmospheric contamination... This process may continue for several days or weeks after treatment, and even go on for several months... As a result, it causes the transfer of significant fractions of applied chemicals from treated surfaces into the atmosphere. Once they enter the atmosphere, chemicals may be transported over large distances (3)."
"Senate Bill 3170, which would have created pesticide-free buffer zones around schools, was amended to create a task force to study pesticides and schools. Fortunately, Syngenta Seed Co. has agreed to stop spraying fields adjacent to Waimea Canyon Middle School at least until the end of the year. Unfortunately, at the time of this writing, it appears that even the concept of a task force is unacceptable to the farm, seed and pesticide lobby. The House of Representatives has referred SB3170 to three different committees, which is a sign that the proposal is unlikely to receive a hearing and thus die (1)." Senator Gary L. Hooser
1. Feb. 2, 2008 - The Garden Island Newspaper
(given the technological advances and equipment this 21st century provides), chose to use their olfactory nerve to detect the genesis of the noxious odor. A procession of proboscis lead by Syngenta representatives without need of chemical analysis of soil, air, water, or epidemiologic evidence, proceeded with their investigation. The collective olfactory lobe belonging to Syngenta employees once again determined the cause of odor (and illness) to be Cleome gynandra or “Wild Spider Flower” (7). Teachers were informed of this as well as other specious causes, none implicating Syngenta’s application of “Warrior” as the genesis of illness.
Senator Hooser has introduced a Bill that establishes a pesticide free buffer zone around elementary schools. We are trying to ensure that a "full court press" translates to the political will necessary to pass this legislation. A similar effort failed in Oregon last year because industry opponents mounted concerted opposition. The importance of preparing written testimony EARLY cannot be overstressed. The Senator has requested concerned parties provide well-crafted testimony that focuses on concerns for the health of children is of paramount importance. Include any changes that may strengthen the effectiveness of the Bill (i.e. include all schools, increase the buffer zone distance) and any references that may support your position. See http://maluiawcms.blogspot.com/ for downloadable resource articles and links. Please send written testimony to maluia-wcms@hotmail.com for forwarding.
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.
*The University of Washington School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
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
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:
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?”
