HAPA Blog and Updates
Governor Ige Signs SB3095 into Law, Banning All Use of Chlorpyrifos
Honolulu, Hawai‘i: Hawai'i made history today when Governor David Ige, watched by representatives of the community from across the islands, signed into law Senate Bill 3095, banning all uses of chlorpyrifos, a neurotoxin that has been banned for home use for over 10 years because of its known impacts on the developing brains of children.
Hawaii Did What Pruitt's EPA Wouldn't
Hawaii did what the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under Scott Pruitt had failed to do: it banned the neurotoxin chlorpyrifos. It took several years of grassroots activism, ongoing court battles, and a high profile advocacy campaign by a determined coalition, as well as leadership from key legislative champions.
DowDuPont Is Sponsoring a Conversation on the Future of Food at the Atlantic
I recently learned that the Atlantic, a publication which I read on a regular basis, is hosting a conversation on the future of food called, Harvest: Transforming the Food We Eat sponsored by DowDuPont. We at HAPA felt that it was important to express our frustrations to the Atlantic that a publication with such high journalistic integrity would choose to align itself with DowDupont, a company that has so recklessly endangered members of our community, by spraying large quantities of restricted use pesticides next to homes, schools and other sensitive areas.
We Lost, We Won, We Will Appeal – (Summary of Yesterdays Results in Court) – Ke Kauhulu O Mana Versus the State Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) and Syngenta
Reflection's from HAPA Board President Gary Hooser on the November 9th ruling in Ke Kauhulu o Mana versus the State Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) and Syngenta.
Kaua`i Groups Sue State to Enforce Environmental Review Law
A Kauaʻi-based community group, Ke Kauhulu o Mana, have filed a lawsuit against the State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and Syngenta. The suit calls for enforcement of Hawaii Revised Statute (HRS) Chapter 343, which requires an environmental assessment (EA) or an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for any significant actions or development proposed on publicly-owned, coastal and conservation-zoned lands.
Leading with Integrity
In these times, it is important to find beacons of hope. The graduates of HAPA’s second Kuleana Academy class shine a very welcome and bright light.
The Court Has Ruled. It's Time to Take It to the State.
Yesterday, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued rulings in the lawsuits against three of our Hawai‘i counties by these pesticide companies. The Court invalidated county ordinances in Kaua‘i, Maui, and Hawai‘i counties that sought to enforce public health protections (such as buffer zones, pesticide use disclosure and environmental impact studies).
HAPA Is Proud to Be Part of the New Hawai‘i People's Congress!
HAPA is excited to be part of “The Hawai‘i People’s Congress,” a new initiative led by a coalition of Hawai`i nonprofits whose purpose is to build a more just, fair and healthy future for Hawai`i. Working with organizations and individuals across the islands, this coalition seeks to end systemic barriers to justice with the launch of a “People’s Agenda” - a political and organizing strategy for lasting positive change in Hawaiʻi.
State Funded Panel Issues Final Report on Impacts of Agrochemical Industry on Kauai's Health and Environment
The state-funded JFFG final report makes recommendations to the state and county for environmental testing and health monitoring to close important information gaps and modernize Hawaii`s pesticide regulations. Take action now to ask the state to immediately enact the recommendations of its own state-funded report!
Meet the 2016 Kuleana Academy Graduates!
The Kuleana Academy is our intensive 4-month non-partisan leadership development program, designed to educate and train potential leaders who have a desire to serve in public office.
Government Sponsored Study Reinforces Concerns About Pesticides Kauaʻi
Residents of Kaua`i who are concerned about the public health and environmental impacts of agrochemical research operations have been encouraged by the release of the government study commissioned by the state and Kaua`i county, called the “Joint Fact Finding Group” (JFFG). The study recommends basic pesticide protections such as buffer zones and disclosure of data to secure further study.