Carol Lee Kamekona statement on Bill 131
Carol Lee opposes County use of toxic chemicals in our community
Carol Lee Kamekona, candidate for the Maui County Council’s Kahului residency seat, firmly opposes Bill 131 and if elected as Councilmember would vote against it. Carol Lee is committed to protecting Maui’s environment, our children’s health, and the future of our island.
This bill, heard today in the ADEPT Committee, seeks to overturn the unanimous 2021 decision banning toxic pesticides and fertilizers on county lands. Originally framed as a narrow amendment for the Waiehu Public Golf Course, the true scope of Bill 131 is much broader, allowing toxic chemicals on county parks and playing fields across Maui County.
“As your future Maui County Councilmember, I cannot support a measure that puts our keiki and environment at such high risk,” Carol Lee states. “By reintroducing these harmful substances, Bill 131 threatens irreversible damage to our ʻāina, wai, and our community’s well-being. Our residents, especially our children, deserve clean, safe places to live, play, and grow.”
Studies show that exposure to chemicals like glyphosate, a common herbicide, is linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and other severe health risks.
“Our community worked hard to establish protections in 2021 to shield our ‘āina, water, and public spaces from harmful chemicals. This substance can seep into our aquifers and coral reefs, negatively impacting marine life and ecosystems that Maui County depends upon for our cultural practices and our economy. Studies have shown the severe health impacts of glyphosate, a common pesticide ingredient, including cancer risks, hormone disruption, and nervous system toxicity—especially in children, whose developing systems make them most vulnerable. Allowing these toxins back into our communities is a major step backward.”
In line with her commitment to Maui’s health and future, Carol Lee Kamekona unequivocally stands against Bill 131 and would vote to defeat it if elected as Councilmember.
