The special vulnerability of children to pesticides is well established. Even those chemicals claimed to be ñsafeî by manufacturers and applicators and used in perfect accordance with label instructions can have dire effects on youngsters.
So why is it that Hawai`i, where herbicides and pesticides are as plentiful and the weeds and bugs they target, the state and the Board of Education have not taken the smallest first step in the direction of limiting childrenÍs exposure to harmful chemicals by adopting a policy of integrated pest management?
The expense would be minimal. Indeed, not only would the state pay less for the chemicals themselves, but it would also see reductions in all the attendant costs – including dealing with hazardous wastes, lingering problems of contamination, health and liability issues. As the two lead items in this monthÍs ñIsland Watchî column show, these costs can be formidable.
If ever a motherhood-and-apple-pie issue existed, this would be it. So why hasnÍt it happened yet?
Simple inertia might account for some of the reluctance: administrators who donÍt want to take on added responsibilities; custodial staff who donÍt want to have to learn new ways of doing their jobs. But one should not discount, too, the political weight of those who would rather the state not wean itself of its chemical dependency. If schools can manage without pesticides, then the day cannot be far off when homeowners and farmers, custodians and gardeners, and hoteliers and restaurateurs realize that they, too, can find a way to better living without chemicals.
Hawai`i has a poor record when it comes to pesticide use and abuse. After heptachlor, DBCP, and EDB – to name just a few of the better-known outlaw pollutants Hawai`i must still deal with – legislators should be twice shy before accepting the reassurances of chemical purveyors that their products are safe. And when it comes to pesticides in schools, an even higher standard of skepticism is in order.
In short, zero tolerance should be the goal: no pesticides at all in schools, while integrated pest management, using pesticides as a last resort, is adopted as the first step toward that goal. The Legislature has failed the stateÍs children this year. Let next year bring the much-needed change.
Maui Marvels
We report in this issue on two exciting developments on Maui. First, the redoubtable
Mary Evanson has proposed a new national park for the rugged, harsh southern coast of the island. Evanson (who, it should be noted, serves on the board of Environment Hawai`i, Inc.) has been the stalwart champion of Haleakala National Park, having been instrumental in forming its ñFriendsî association a few years ago. Her latest endeavor was launched – as she puts it – to ñsee if one person can make a differenceî and is not backed by the weight of any national or local group.
On this, we have two things to say. The first is this: If anyone should know that one person can make a difference, it should be Mary. The list of projects she has undertaken without fanfare and absent any corps of volunteers or support groups as backstop would fill the rest of this page and spill over into the next. Maui – indeed, the entire state – is far the better place for her dogged efforts.
The second is: Bravo! At the start of the 21st century, it should be apparent to anyone who has set foot on the islands that our wild places are few, far between, and in great need of protection. The area Evanson is proposing for designation as a national park stands on the very cusp of development. It needs help now, and we would invite the stateÍs congressional delegation to help Mary in her efforts to set aside this special place.
Not far from the boundaries of the proposed new national park, another worthwhile effort was recently launched. Art Medeiros and the volunteers he has been able to muster with his infectious enthusiasm and limitless energy have taken the first steps toward restoration of a rare dryland forest on HaleakalaÍs southern flank. We carry ArtÍs own, moving account of the first plantings, carried out in January.
To both these dedicated pioneers of Maui restoration, we extend a sincere mahalo nui.
Save the Day
With this issue, Environment Hawai`i is just one month away from an important milestone: competion of our 10th full year of publishing. We hope you agree this is an event worth celebration and will join us for an evening of good cheer and aloha on Friday, July 14.
To help us celebrate, Susan Middleton and David Liitschwager have graciously consented to present slides of their latest portraits of Hawai`iÍs endangered species after a sumptuous – well, adequate – dinner at HonoluluÍs Pagoda Hotel.
Watch your mail box for details. If youÍd like to volunteer to help, or have goods or services to donate, call us, toll-free, at 877-934-0130.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Volume 10, Number 11 May 2000
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