Ill-conceived ivory-ban legislation based on lies and deceit

Dear Editor,   February 3, 2016

The house and senate have 3 anti-ivory bills pending that will even ban the sale of antique ivory and ivory from the extinct mammoth. It will put a lot of people out of business as well as craftsmen working with cultural materials.

The first hearing is at 8:30AM on Friday Feb 5 for HB2502.

The Humane Society of the US makes false claims, misquotes facts, and helps fund media propaganda that influences law makers.  Ivory is federally regulated and enforced, along with CITES international laws. Individual state legislation is a waste of time and taxpayer money. It entails loss of revenues; criminalizes law abiding citizens; and is an unconstitutional “taking”.

I’m an expert on ivory so feel compelled to comment but would rather be advocating for critical issues like homelessness; Community Land Trust affordable housing; agriculture; and Hawaiian issues. Local issues should supersede legislation to address Africa and China’s illegal ivory issues. Precious legislative time should focus on meeting dire needs of the people. Deliberation on solutions to ease the suffering of Hawaii’s residents should be paramount.

Sincerely,

Michele Lincoln

Lahaina, Maui