The state Department of Education’s herbicide ban seems to be a typical knee-jerk government reaction with unintended consequences (“Herbicides banned on Hawaii public school campuses, superintendent says,” Star-Advertiser, June 26).

Banning glyphosate because of concerns for potential health impacts to students and due to recent lawsuit results is understandable. DOE is concerned about liability. But there are hundreds of other herbicides that have been used safely for years.

Has DOE trained its custodial staff in the proper use of herbicides, including following the label? That might be a better first step than a total ban.

Hawaii has a huge number of invasive species, many of which are plants. Herbicides work on these invasive species, including tree weeds.

Does anyone think having large albizia trees on our campuses is safer than using herbicides on them?

Albizias can grow 15 feet a year. Is DOE going to quadruple its grounds maintenance budget to remove the same invasive trees repeatedly rather than using herbicides to kill them? That money would be better used to educate our students.

Carol Kwan

Mililani

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