Dept. Of Health
Solid Waste Management
919 Ala Moana, Rm. 203
Honolulu, Hi 96814
Betty Yoshikawa
Re: Unisyn Biowaste Laboratories
Dear Mr. Harder,
My name is Betty Yoshikawa. I am writing in regards to the consideration of Unisyn Biowaste Laboratorie's renewal of its land use permit to operate in Waimanalo. I realize that the technology involved in Unisyn's renewal process is of great value not only to Hawai'i; the rest of the world would benefit from it also. Future generations will vanish if we are not conscious of what we are leaving behind. Our landfills cannot handle all that we waste and the atmosphere can no longer tolerate the junk we emit in the air. What Unisyn is doing may very well be the alternative that can turn that waste into natural energy, which will benefit everyone in the world.
We must also be aware, however, of what the alternative methods are emiting in the air now; and how it will affect our children tomorrow. Companies who take on alternative tasks, has to have humane ideas; as well as good financial judgement. A get rich, runaway profit, kind of mentality is dangerous. For companies to succeed, it needs to build trust by being honest, with a concern for neighbors, and the future of the very young while experimenting with alternatives. I say experimenting correctly; it is exactly that! No one is sure as yet, how safe the processes are. Whereas; if there are people in the near vacinity, careful consideration have to be taken into longterm health and welfare.
There is an emission of several different kinds of chemicals in the air. The realization that the process is done with natural products doesn't concern me, what does, is the fact that it is done artificially, which creates a different kind of circumstance. We now have several varieties of chemicals that we never had to inhale before.
Unisyn must realize that no one wishes malice towards them. All the neighbors are asking of Unisyn, is to give what is theirs "the right to clean air". Odor that overwhelms the air so badly that we wake up in the middle of the night, or we can't eat, should not be taken so lightly. It is an insult to our dignity to even think that we as human beings, should tolerate this kind of a lifestyle. It is also an insult to our dignity, to have people who have not experienced this degradation, to decide whether we should or should not accept this situation. Some of us have become ill, because of what we are breathing. There are many physical complaints, asthma attacks, sinus headaches, burning eyes and also a pregnancy that is very uncomfortable because of the emission. Please don't challenge our intelligence by even suggesting psychosomatic symtoms.
The Board of Health and everyone concerned should realize and understand the type of area we live in. It is an inversion; picture a wave that is upside down. The wind blows, whatever comes with it, hits the mountain, lifts, turns over and hovers over like a cloud. Sometimes it stays for hours; sometimes a day, depends on the overall weather conditions. Try to picture how smoke and gases react to an area like ours. There was once a battle with the overwhelming amount of burning in Waimanalo. Thankfully with the help of the Board of Health and Fire Department, we can sleep at night, with air that is clear of smoke and not nearly asphyxiating. I am asking you again, to give us that same amount of clean air to enable us to be healthy, productive individuals.
Unisyn is applying to renew their land use permit, we think our requests are reasonable. There are conditions that; we (my neighbors and myself) feel are reasonable and fair; if Unisyn is a responsible company, it's owners would not in good conscious, hesitate to consider. These are the conditions to be considered:
1. The volume of intake of waste will not exceed what is being taken in now. This will be until the odor/chemical (gases) emission is in full control (it is not unreasonable to ask for at least three to six months).
2. There are monthly monitoring of Hydrogen Sulfide or any chemical that is found to effect the health of asthmatics or highly allergic individuals (please keep in mind that there are pregnant women and very young children which includes babies in the area that are affected). Keep in mind also, that parts per any amount should be measured by daily exposure. It is a company's moral responsibility to see that there are no harmful effects, whether it be chemical or any bacterial properties present in the air.
3. That the community has a monthly posting of activity that effects their health and welfare.
4. There should be zero tolerance, as far as a recurrance of everything that has happened these last few months. Which is the overwelming odor. Which may have included the possibility of emission of possible harmful gases/chemicals and or bacteria in the air. Because of a non-existence of previous testing done, we are not aware of what we have previously inhaled in the past. Neighbors which includes all of Waimanalo should be able to feel safe in an environment that we are all entitled.
5. Also that there will be no polution of our water system in any way. Whether it be our drinking water or the rivers and ocean nearby.
6. The Board of Health would act on behalf of the community in protecting the health and welfare of all involved parties, by monitoring the operations at Unisyn very closely until it is in control of any and all possible harmful emissions in the air.
Thank you again for all the hard work that many of you are putting into this situation. I assure you many of us appreciate your deligence and patience.
Respectfully yours,
Betty Yoshikawa
cc: Unisyn, Waimanalo Neighborhood Board, Councilman Felix, Representative Eve Anderson, Dr. Bruce Anderson DOH, Clean Air Branch, Bill Williams,EPA San Francisco