FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                    
November 9, 2007

Release No. M-124-07

CITY ANNOUNCES ‘READ THE LABEL FIRST’ CONTEST WINNER

            Mayor Mufi Hannemann announced that Howard Trochez of Waianae is the winner of a $250 GGP gift card, redeemable at Ala Moana Center or Ward Centre, in the recent “Read the Label First” contest.

            “Read the Label First” was a two-week campaign in October that encouraged people to make a pledge to read the label on pesticides, fertilizers and other household products that contain harmful chemicals.

            The Storm Water Quality Branch of the City Department of Environmental Services (ENV), City Mill, Retail Merchants of Hawaii, General Growth Properties, and State Department of Agriculture sponsored the campaign.

            “Read the Label First” is part of the Consumer Labeling Initiative started by the EPA, specialty pesticide industry, environmental groups and state and local governments to make labels easier to read and understand.

            When the contest was announced, Dr. Eric Takamura, ENV director, stated, “The key message is to ‘Read the Label First’ so you can make informed choices when you purchase, use, store and dispose of pesticides, fertilizers or other household products.  Simply reading a product’s label will help you keep your family, pets, and community safe.”

            The winner’s name was drawn from about 1,000 people who submitted pledges during the contest period.

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CONTACT:

Iwalani Sato, Storm Water Public Education and Outreach Coordinator, 780-8872