Andy,
 
    Well spoken arguments.  I love to continue the dialogue but I have too many
    other things on my plate.
 
    However, I like to make a brief response to your points.  If I would be an
    Hawaiian, my sentiments and arguments would be as passionate and determined
    as many have already made.  But, it is important to recognize that the trend
    towards globalization of trade and relations has and will have a profound
    effect on the manner we deal with such issues in the future.
 
    My colleagues and I were advised by the Canadian Governmet some years ago,
    that  the issue of border closure (to the importation of bees from the US
    mainland) could in the future no longer be enforced by arguments such as,
    1) the importation ban "happens to be on the books" (analogous to your 1922
    statutes) or 2) because the majority of the Canadian beekeeping industry
    wishes such ban to be in place (because of perceived threats, etc).
 
    Under GATT and NAFTA rules, countries may only legitimately impose an
    importation ban on grounds of scientific evidence and risk assessments.  In
    my e-mail epistle a few days ago, I tried to point out that the Hawaiian
    question faces exactly the same problem and that Hawaii was not likely to be
    succesful in obtaining this complete quarantine status without convincing
    scientific data.  It is a reality that we all have to become accustomed to.
    I suppose in the future we can no longer have these trade barriers set up
    for patriotic or economic reasons (as was done for decades).
 
    But personally, I look on the map and I can not help but sympathize with
    Hawaii's arguments.
 
    best regards,
 
    Paul van Westendorp                         [log in to unmask]
    Provincial Apiarist
    British Columbia