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COMMENTARY
Water
Contaminants Need To Take Center Stage
Commentary
by Richard Brush, Upcountry resident and OAC member
The mandate of the Upcountry Water Oversight/Advisory Committee
is to support the research and understanding of why and how our
bodies have been affected by 'contaminants' in our water and other
systems. Whether lead, copper or deadly bacterial pathogens, we
need to 1) find out what the problem is. 2) understand what we
can do. 3) deal as we can with the situation. With no disrespect
to the DWS, the DOH or the EPA, for they are hard working and
loyal individuals doing their best and affected in their health
like us all, it is the committee's job to oversee the effort,
as Bruce Macler emphasized. Making this about power and hierarchy
misses the point of our committee, which in the spirit of 'ho'oponopono'
exists to create a safe space where the citizen can interact with
the various agencies. Though our path is not dictation we will
find the ear of our elected representatives responsive to the
people. We must take these threats to our health seriously, like
the rash that once aroused our upcountry.
At the State of the County address the only item that did not
receive applause was mention of the Upcountry water situation,
so over dessert I mentioned to our honorable Mayor Arakawa the
committee's overwhelming interest in bringing in Drs. Edwards
and Falkingham, suggesting that there were issues important to
all of Hawai‘i, and that an address to the State Legislature
would be helpful in creating attention focused on water contamination,
much like his own appeal to that body last year. This would be
our contribution to Maui's experience, our 'mana'o', to Hawaii's
water issues, and a good use of the taxpayer's money. Later, Dave
DeLeon suggested that timing such an address with some pending
legislation would be helpful in getting attention.
Gaining the advice of eminent, world-reknowned researchers in
the field of water contaminants would seem essential to our effort,
and after spending the bulk of the grant monies on research, it
would be prudent to bring in evolved understanding, even if it
seems a 'second opinion,' as getting the truth to the people is
why we are here. If getting the word out is the issue, more effective
pre-presentation press coverage seems essential, and for those
who cannot attend, recording and presentation on Akaku cable a
way of spreading the communication. We have an opportunity to
do the right thing, and in honor of those on whose shoulders we
stand and especially in hope for those to come, we must.
Contamination is a big deal: the people of the Southern continental
coast are finding out well the cost of procrastination.
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Karaoke Contest
WAILUKU-
Organizers of the 6th Annual Maui Matsuri recently announced the
addition of a statewide karaoke contest to precede the Maui Matsuri
festivities on Saturday, May 20, at the Maui Community College
campus.
Scheduled to be held Friday, May 19, at 6:30 p.m. at the H.P.
Baldwin High School Auditorium in Wailuku, the karaoke contest
will have three age divisions, with winners in each age division
to receive a trophy, and the overall winner to be awarded a gift
certificate for a round-trip flight to Japan.
The event is being held to promote the Japanese language and culture
through karaoke.
Contest details will be announced in February.
For more information on sponsorship opportunities or volunteering
to serve on a committee to coordinate the karaoke contest, call
Lynn Araki-Regan at 870-0115 or e-mail araki-regan@hotmail.com.
Look
on the UPside!
with Teri Lawrence
Fridays at 1 p.m. on KAOI 1110 AM
www.ontheupsidewithteri.com
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