We have all seen it. That enormous thick cloud looming over the sugar cane fields. It fills the lush beautiful land with a disturbing haze as it hovers over our homes and hearts. That toxic cloud is the result of sugar cane burning. Maui County needs to put an end to sugar cane burning. The emissions it produces lead to life-threatening health issues for our family and neighbors while damaging the environment of this sacred land we call home.

Some readers might point out that banning sugar cane burning on Maui will cause hundreds of people in the community to lose jobs, increase the unemployment rate and negatively affect the economy of Maui. While partly true, it is important to remember the huge health repercussions burning sugar cane has on our community.

Sugar cane burning is a harmful process that fills the homes of our families with harsh debris. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Science, sugar cane burning leads to respiratory issues like asthma, which could lead to cancer and be life threatening. The health and safety of our family, friends and neighbors should always come first.

We cannot sit back and watch the health of our families and land deteriorate any longer. We must come together and research safer methods of sugar cane harvesting. Until sugar cane burning is banned, we must distance our children and the elderly from zones with high debris rates. We must protect our community and our home.

Laura Maltagliati

Kihei