They waited for the reprieve. Many felt like prisoners on death row about to be executed. There was no phone call at midnight from the governor, therefore the fumigation was to begin. This was not the movies, this was real
They waited for the reprieve. Many felt like prisoners on death row about to be executed. There was no phone call at midnight from the governor, therefore the fumigation was to begin. This was not the movies, this was real life, no reprieval.
About 30 elderly and special needs people from the 55 and older senior housing project behind Mahelona hospital were recently displaced so their homes could be pumped full of poisonous, gaseous fumes.
It looked like the circus was in town with bright red and yellowish-orange tents circumventing this senior housing project. This traveling show of tents was not very entertaining.
Some call it terminating, others fumigation, while most know it as pest control. It will keep all the pests out. No door-to-door salesman, crooks or politicians will even try and knock on your door with signs all over that say, “Danger, Peligro, Fumiogation, Sulfuryl Fluoride, (Vikane).”
My recommendation for a cheap security system is to purchase or make these signs and plaster them all over your home. Even the most criminal of criminals would stay out.
A man representing the pest control people with reddish- orange complexion and dilated pupils told residents the chemicals have no ill effects. How reassuring.
Arnold Schwarzenegger may have been the terminator in the movies, but the real terminator is pest control. It takes hours to prepare your home. You need to double bag every food item, medication and toiletries such as toothpaste and mouthwash with a special nylon coated polymer film plastic bag.
There’s no denying bugs, termites and insects on Kauai. The question remains, is it really necessary to fill homes with toxic poisons? Plants, pets and humans cannot be present because they would die.
All plants and grass within four feet will most likely die. Just replacing plants is a huge expense, let alone replacing many food items thrown out due to the paranoia of the thought, “Is it really safe to eat the bagged food after returning home?”
Management required all tenants, many with either mental or physical disabilities, to pack things up and live elsewhere for five days while they tented and fumigated all their homes.
Besides the stress of being driven out of their homes, it’s the aftermath of possible ill effects that has many so very concerned. Many believe it’s not right — or safe — to be forced to turn frail lives and fragile homes over to a poisonous chemical that will silently kill every living thing within four walls within hours — and then be expected to return home and pick up living as if nothing happened. Many worry about the long-term collateral damage and lingering ill effects that such heavily poisoned air might have on so many elderly and disabled folks.
There are alternatives to ridding buildings of termites and other pests that are not toxic to humans. Boric acid and water will kill termites and no need to vacate your home or bag your medications and food in double-lined nylon coated bags.
The stress alone from packing and unpacking and worrying if any of the poisons are still lingering around is enough to drive one insane.
Some considered this a staycation, while others suffered. It’s still to be determined if any collateral damage results.
The tenting and fumigation was beyond the authority of the awesome and caring local management team, which did everything possible to help all residents.
The residents appear tired and are walking around like zombies. However, the termites are dead.
Hallelujah!
• James “Kimo” Rosen is a retired professional photographer living in Kapaa with his best friend Obama Da Dog, Rosen also blogs as a hobby www.dakinetalk.blogspot.com
