• Decide what’s fact, fiction • Sears must care for customers • Forum was no discussion • Kauai has many issues of concern Decide what’s fact, fiction I realize there have been some letters floating around sent by HCIA (Hawaii Crop
• Decide what’s fact, fiction • Sears must care for customers • Forum was no discussion • Kauai has many issues of concern
Decide what’s fact, fiction
I realize there have been some letters floating around sent by HCIA (Hawaii Crop Improvement Association) in regards to Gary Hooser and the supposed “lost footage” from the Bill 2491 hearing. Gary Hooser challenges everyone equally, l just think he’s well read on what is going on and asks the right questions.
I also wanted to remind everyone who the HCIA actually represents — the biotech companies who are worried for their profits.
I believe all of their accusations and concerns are out of fear that their arguments are losing steam and hold no truth.
HCIA does not have Kauai in their best interest. I encourage everyone to read on their own about what the very same companies have done around the world. It’s good we all debate and educate each other about these issues, but in the end only you have the power to decide what is fact and what is fiction.
If everyone read enough about the atrocities that Syngenta, Pioneer, Dow, and Basf have committed elsewhere, there is no doubt in mind mind they will realize the very same is happening here.
Christopher White-Root
Kapaa
Sears must care for customers
When Sears Store was at Kukui Grove Shopping Center on Kauai for many years, it wasn’t until the latter years that extended warranties were introduced and offered to purchase for the item(s) bought. Such as appliances, electronics, tools, etc, many customers bought into this extended warranty program offered.
Now that the Sears store is no longer here, many customers are experiencing broken items that are still under the extended warranty.
Sears are saying to these customers, “to send the broken items to Sears Repair Shop on Oahu or we are offering a refund on the extended warranty that will be prorated (which won’t amount to much as cash back).”
Fast forward, now a lot of these customers are stuck with broken item(s) and not enough money to purchase new ones with the prorated cash back from the warranties. A lot of them were loyal customers to Sears for many years. To make it clear, I have bought appliances from Sears in the latter years. I have never fallen into purchasing extended warranties from Sears.
Couldn’t Sears leave a repair shop on Kauai to honor its promise to the extended warranties?
Howard Tolbe
Eleele
Forum was no discussion
Regarding Robin Clark referencing my “mischaracterization” of the biotech discussion as a lecture: I was personally invited by a safety director at a seed company to a “discussion.”
As a holder of a degree in biochemistry with experience in molecular genetic research on rats exposed to pesticides, a physician who worked on molecular genetics cancer research in medical school, having practiced on the west side for almost 10 years, observing disturbing health issues, and having a wife and child who have become chronically ill since moving into a house directly on the ditch reportedly containing atrazine in Kekaha, I decided to forgo my daughter’s third birthday party to attend.
I was told the panel “really wanted to hear from the medical community.” After an attendee’s brief question was answered with a long response from the panel, I decided to ask my question. After the third interruption by the “facilitator” during my question, I explained that I did not feel that the forum represented a “discussion” and decided to go join my family.
One part of my question was referencing the fact that the French GMO rat study was, in my opinion, mischaracterized because the presenter implied that all rats got cancer at the same rate, when in fact 50-80 percent of rats given GMO and RoundUp developed tumors vs 30 percent in the control group. The study, flawed partly due to low numbers, was not definitive by any means, but raises questions.
I would embrace any true, open dialogue.
Rick Goding
Kekaha
Kauai has many issues of concern
I missed the pesticide presentation at the Waimea Theatre due to a meeting regarding drug abuse during pregnancy in Hawaii, and there were no other health care providers there. While there are potential risks from pesticide exposure, there are greater, documented threats to our community. Within three miles of the Waimea Theatre two teenagers died over the last four years in auto accidents.
Islandwide, homes built before 1978 may be contaminated with lead-based paint. High levels of mercury are in marlin, ahi, ono and other fish caught right in our waters. While animal studies have shown that eating the equivalent of four pounds a day of “Round-Up” for a pregnant woman results in no increase in birth defects, a baby eating a chip of lead-based paint the diameter of a pencil can result in irreversible brain damage from lead.
Kauai has more teen pregnancies and substance use during pregnancy than any other island. These are real risks. Pesticide exposure is a potential risk, and is a distraction from public heath efforts being focused on real problems. I’m opposed to limited county funds being wasted on duplicative and unscientific regulation of pesticides instead of important and needed services such as the proposed adolescent drug treatment center. Putting funds toward mercury education, lead abatement, improved schools, drug treatment, teen pregnancy prevention and economic growth will result in lives saved and reductions in birth defects.
Graham Chelius, MD
Kekaha
