The State Department of Health issued citations to:
* Monsanto Co. in Kaunakakai for causing or permitting visible fugitive dust to become airborne without taking reasonable precautions. Monsanto operates seed corn farms, and the violations were investigated after dust complaints were received by the Health Department. A penalty of $3,400 has been issued. Monsanto has requested a hearing on this case.
* Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co. in Puunene for causing or permitting visible fugitive dust to become airborne without taking reasonable precautions and agricultural burning permit violations. Violations were discovered after dust complaints were received. A penalty of $9,300 has been paid.
It’s apparently against the state of Hawaii law to complain about burning cane.
SECTION 1. Section 46-17, Hawaii Revised Statutes,
“§46-17 Regulation of certain public nuisances. …..[T]he law affording the most protection to the public shall apply, with the exception that: (1) An ordinance shall not be effective to the extent that it is inconsistent with any permit for agricultural burning granted by the department of health under authority of chapter 342B, or to the extent that it prohibits, subjects to fine or injunction, or declares to be a public nuisance any agricultural burning conducted in accordance with such a permit….”
Cane burning causes the release of carcinogenic ash (also called soot), that falls from the sky and is commonly known as “Maui Snow”. This material contains the same highly carcinogenic substances as cigarette smoke.
The above exemption to the common sense laws concerning open field burning must be challenged in the Hawaii State Capital and eleminated.