Protect Our Keiki from Pesticide Drift

Protect Our Keiki from Pesticide Drift

A critical bill to protect our keiki from pesticide drift has been scheduled for its final hearing in the Senate this Thursday! 

A hearing of the Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection will hear a bill to create no-spray pesticide buffer zones around schools and parks on Feb. 26th at 9:45 am in Conference Room 229 (and virtually). Testimony is due by Wednesday at 9:45 am (although late testimony is still accepted). Please note, no oral testimony will be accepted, written only. 

Communities living near heavily sprayed fields have been advocating for these public health protections for almost two decades. Recently analyzed data on restricted use pesticide (RUP) usage around Hawaiʻi reveals concerning rates of drift prone, highly toxic pesticides applied near schools and parks. The science is clear, keiki are the most vulnerable to pesticide exposures, and we must provide protections.  Check out additional key findings on highly impacted communities on the Safe Farms, Safe Food Coalition website. 

Please take a moment to submit written testimonies so we can move out of the Senate with a strong showing of community support! 

If you have not done so already you will need to create an account with the Hawaiʻi State Legislature website to submit testimony.

Support SB 2103 SD1: Increased RUP Buffer Zones Around Schools & Parks

What Does This Bill Do?

Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to use consistent units of measurement in its summary to the public on the amounts of restricted use pesticides applied.  Beginning 1/1/2027, establishes a one-half mile buffer zone for pesticides around schools during normal school hours and state and county public parks.   

Why Is This Important? Sample Testimony: 

Please support SB 2103 SD1. An abundance of scientific literature on pesticide drift and the unique susceptibility of children to pesticide exposure provide a sound argument for establishing meaningful buffer zones to protect children at school and where they recreate. 

Analysis of restricted use pesticide (RUP) usage data in Hawaiʻi has revealed that many communities are still heavily exposed to highly hazardous drift prone pesticides. 100’ buffer zones are simply not supported by scientific research. Research has shown that certain pesticides are known to drift over a mile and cause health impacts. 

California has enacted similar legislation requiring pesticide buffer zones around schools, yet still maintains the most robust agricultural production and economy in the US. Hawaii can both meet its goals to increase local food production and protect our most vulnerable from pesticide drift. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) finds there to be a significantly increased health risk for children exposed to pesticides, and additional precautions must be taken to protect them from unintended exposure. 

I am very concerned about long-term pesticide exposure of keiki while they are at school or at play in our parks, which constitutes a health threat that can lead to cancer, neurological, and respiratory damage, among other medical conditions. 

Please protect our keiki and pass SB 2103 SD1.

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