• Let’s focus on the facts about the agriculture industry • Scripture: Hawaii should be free Let’s focus on the facts about the agriculture industry Dr. Lee Evslin’s commentary in The Garden Island (two of Kauai’s pesticides are having a bad year,
• Let’s focus on the facts about the agriculture industry • Scripture: Hawaii should be free
Let’s focus on the facts about the agriculture industry
Dr. Lee Evslin’s commentary in The Garden Island (two of Kauai’s pesticides are having a bad year, Oct. 3) contains glaring factual errors that must be corrected. His opinion piece only serves to cloud the issues surrounding the Environmental Protection Agency’s review of two widely-used, restricted-use pesticides.
For example, the European Union did not recently prohibit the use of chlorpyrifos in all 29 countries, as Dr. Evslin asserts. While Maximum Residue Levels were reduced on some crops, use on other crops in the EU continues to be approved. Chlorpyrifos is registered in over 100 nations worldwide, and is selected by growers because of its reliable pest control and fit in Integrated Pest Management programs.
As for the EPA’s draft ecological risk assessment of Atrazine, the review’s conclusions relied on scientific errors and certain flawed studies that don’t meet EPA’s own guidelines for quality. After almost 60 years of use, this product has demonstrated excellent crop safety and reduces the need to till, which decreases soil erosion.
The use of pesticides in agriculture is a long-standing necessity and enables farmers to produce the crops necessary to feed an ever-growing population. In addition, all pesticides used in Hawaii must be pre-approved by the Environmental Protection Agency and Hawaii State Department of Agriculture. These pesticides go through an incredibly rigorous process to ensure their safety, which can take up to 10 years and cost hundreds of millions of dollars.
We urge those concerned about this issue to seek out the facts, and not just buy into the fear-mongering that is a common tactic of those seeking to discredit the agriculture industry and our rich legacy of farming on Kauai.
Bennette Misalucha, Executive Director, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association
Scripture: Hawaii should be free
“‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.’” (Revelation)
God did these things:
• Pharaoh released his enormous slave workforce “because of My mighty hand!” (Exodus)
• “Cyrus, whose right hand I [took] hold of” allowed captives to return to their land with financial aid. (Isaiah)
• Jesus suffered political, social and religious injustice. The result of His crucifixion offers eternal life.
• In 1948, Israel was restored as a nation after centuries of exile.
Restoring the Hawaiian nation seems easy to do in comparison. Trust in the same God who conquered death and set the captives free.
“Nation within a nation” is captivity. Utilize Biblical precepts for redemption and restoration.
Government —Hawaii’s “leaders will be from among them and their governor…” (Jeremiah 30:21) appointed with Biblical qualifications. The influence of the United States or restoration of the monarchy establishes potential for oppressive governing.
Land — Urban-designated homes and businesses along with public-use properties are unaffected. Fair resolutions/compensation is implemented for agricultural/rural-designated land. (Leviticus 25:8-34)
Citizenship — “The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself.” (Leviticus)
“‘You (Hawaiians) are to distribute this land among your selves… and the aliens who have settled among you and who have children. You are to consider them as native-born…’ declares the Sovereign Lord.” (Ezekiel 47:21-23)
United States — “Righteousness exalts a nation.” (Proverbs) Do what’s right! Free Hawaii!
Restoration is a little thing in the hands of the Almighty God.
Michele Lincoln, Lahaina
