<<IMG height=100 hspace=2 src="http://www.kahea.org/gmo/images/Tsuji_hear_our_bill.jpg" width=150 align=left vspace=2 border=1> CALL TO ACTION: SAVE HALOA, NO GMO KALO HEARING ON MARCH 19, 2008. MAJOR MILESTONE: WE GOT A HEARING!! Because of your dedication to protecting Haloa, Legislators felt the pressure to hear SB 958. Your words of aloha for Haloa are needed now to pass a 10-year moratorium on the genetic modification and patenting of all taro.
Here's how you can help for the March 19th hearing:
1. Submit Testimony Now: click here to go to KAHEA's virtual testimony table.
Your testimony should be in your own words, if can (legislators don't seem swayed by form letters).
Even better, if you are part of an organization or business that supports Kalo, then put your testimony on letterhead.
2. Call Rep. Clift Tsuji and the Agriculture Committee members (click here for phone numbers), tell them:
- thank you for holding a hearing on SB 958
- please do not delay decision-making on the bill
- the bill should protect all varieties of Kalo, not just Hawaiian varieties
- the moratorium must be at least 10 years or longer
3. Write a Letter to the Editor of your local paper or click here to send a letter to the two islands-wide daily papers.
....click here to learn more about how you can help!
A MUST READ: "Uncertain Peril" is a powerful reminder that what’s at stake right now is nothing less than the nature of the future.“If we want to save places, people, or plants, we have to remember their stories. In their stories are the details of their natural and social history and, most importantly, the meaning they have for our lives...The reason traditional cultures are so important to the world right now is that they still know how to remember their stories. ” - C.H. Cummings, chapter 10.
Airing all month long on Hawai‘i's public access cable networks:
"Islands at Risk: Genetic Engineering in Hawai‘i", a new film by the filmmakers who brought us Mauna Kea: Temple Under Siege. To learn more, visit Na Maka ‘o ka ‘Aina.
Yet Another Victory Hawai‘i’s Fragile Environment!
Federal Court ruled in favor of KAHEA’s challenge to USDA’s failure to protect the environment from impacts of open field-testing of plants genetically engineered to produce pharmaceuticals.
On Aug. 10, 2006, Federal Court Judge Seabright held that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) violated both NEPA and the ESA by authorizing Monsanto, ProdiGene, Hawai'i Agriculture Research Center, and Garst Seed to field test crops genetically engineered to produce pharmaceuticals. Read the Court's Decision, get an overview of the case, and learn more: visit the Union of Concerned Scientists, read the executive summary to "A Growing Concern."
Appellants include KAHEA, Center for Food Safety, Friends of the Earth, and Pesticide Action Network North America.
Earthjustice senior attorney, Paul Achitoff argued the case. The judge will hold a hearing on August 22nd to determine further restrictions and conditions. Please attend and show support for strong protection.
News Coverage:
- Halt on all biotech permits sought (80k PDF) Honolulu Star-Bulletin August 23, 2006.
- USDA in trouble with courts relating to genetically modified pharmaceuticals on Molokai (132k PDF) Molokai Times August 16, 2006.
- Gene-Altered Crops Denounced (68k PDF) The Washington Post August 16, 2006.
- Permits for biopharming deserve strict standards (96k PDF) Honolulu Star Bulletin Op-Ed August 16, 2006.
- Ruling paves way for crop oversight (76k PDF) Honolulu Advertiser Op-Ed August 16, 2006.
- Ruling hailed by opponents of genetically altered crops (80k PDF) Honolulu Star Bulletin August 15, 2006.
- Ruling a slight setback for biopharm growers (100k PDF) Honolulu Advertiser August 15, 2006.
KAHEA is party to a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture seeking comprehensive regulations and protection from the field testing of genetically modified organisms.
- Earthjustice wins lawsuit on public disclosure of field trials. (24k PDF) August 5, 2004.
- Government forced to disclose locations of test sites of biopharmaceutical crops (92k PDF) November 13, 2003
- State sued for refusing to disclose GMO test site information(88k PDF) Earthjustice Hawaii Records Lawsuit Press Release, July 23, 2003
- Case Outline and Notice to Sue (239k PDF) Center for food Safety, March 3, 2003
- USDA Issues Weak Biopharm Regulations (120k PDF) Center for Food Safety, March 3, 2003
- Citizen Petition to USDA on Biopharm Regulations (252k PDF)
Fact Sheet: Genetic Engineering in the Garden of Eden (60k PDF) Basic information about agricultural biotechnology for Hawai‘i by Claire Cummings.
Fact Sheet: Risks of Genetic Engineering (20k PDF)
Fact Sheet: What's wrong with Genetic Engineering? (11k PDF) Organic Consumers Assocation.
Fact Sheet: Biotechnology Policy Statement (12k PDF) Union of Concerned Scientist.
The Union of Concerned Scientists Urges the USDA and FDA to Implement a Zero Contamination Initiative on Bio-Pharm Crops Feb. 5, 2003
Manufacturing Drugs and Chemicals In Crops: Biopharming Poses New Threats to Consumers, Farmers, Food Companies and the Environment(1.3MB PDF) Friends of the Earth. Executive Summary (324k PDF)
TRESPASS A new comprehensive article on GMO's by Claire Cummings.
Paoakalani Declaration: a statement of self-determination issued by Kanaka Maoli cultural experts in response to the commercialization and misappropriation of traditional Hawaiian knowledge (SIZE) October 2003.
Bioprospecting /BioPiracy and Indigenous People (64k PDF) May 20, 2002.
Biotech_and Indigenous Peoples Occasional Papers (36k PDF) May 8, 2002.
Maori Point of View on Genetic Modification (25k PDF)
The Violence of Globalization (12k PDF) by Vandana ShivaNews
Genetic Traits Spread to Non-Engineered Papayas in Hawai'i September 10, 2004 (ENS) coverage of Hawai'i Genetic Engineering Action Network Press Conference on threats to papaya markets from GMO papayas.
Plenty Papaya Problems Scientists square off over how safe Hawaii's genetically modified papaya is for consumers by Alan D. McNarie, Hawai'i Island Journal
Fears grow with genetic crop secrecy Honolulu Advertiser, October 19, 2003
Both sides lose in genetic crop wars
Are there Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO's) in your lunch? Haleakala Times, October 15 - November 4, 2003
What's Wrong with Biotechnology in Hawai'i? (60k PDF) Op-Ed by Dr. Hector Valenzuela, UH Manoa Tropical Agriculture Hawaii Island Journal September 2003.
No paradise for pharming The Scientist, July 30, 2003
Diversa Will Mine Biodiversity in Hawai‘i (3k PDF) Environmental News Service June 11, 2002Kahea Click Here
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Nini'ane
Panel backs GMO taro ban
By ILIMA LOOMIS, Maui News, March 14, 2008
WAILUKU — A resolution urging a hold on research involving genetic modification of taro was advanced Wednesday by the County Council Public Works and Facilities Committee.
The resolution supports a bill pending before the state Legislature that would put a 10-year moratorium on developing, testing and growing genetically modified taro plants. Supporters in the audience, many of them taro farmers from East Maui, applauded as the committee voted to recommend the resolution with a 5-0 vote.
“It is time for us to put the brakes on,” said Council Member Mike Victorino, co-chairman of the Public Works Committee.
The moratorium proposal, Senate Bill 958, was approved by the Senate and is pending in the House Agriculture Committee, which has scheduled a hearing at 9 a.m. Wednesday in the State Capitol auditorium.
At the council committee session, taro farmer Steve Hookano said a lack of flowing water and other environmental challenges were the causes of disease and parasites affecting crops.
“It’s not the taro’s fault,” he said.
Waving a petition supporting the ban signed by other East Maui residents, he feared experimentation could threaten the genetic diversity of the plant.
“We don’t know the risks and the benefits,” he said.
“We’re living in Hawaii — not a science lab,” said Kevin Namahoe-Carvalho.
He noted that taro had a cultural and religious significance to Hawaiians in addition to being a staple food.
“We just don’t see why anyone thinks they can make it better,” he said.
Opponents of the ban say there is no evidence genetically altered foods pose a risk to people. They also say genetic modification could help taro survive pests and diseases that have been threatening crops.
Council Member Danny Mateo, who holds the council’s Molokai seat, acknowledged his home island was “divided” over the issue. But ultimately he agreed there should be a “time out” on experiments with taro.
“It’s about the spirituality, it’s about the religion, it’s about the culture that’s being attacked,” he said.
SB 958 would prohibit research involving recombinant DNA technology and specifies that the moratorium would not prevent traditional methods of breeding and hybridization of taro.
The Maui County Council resolution in support of SB 958 is expected to go to the full council for a vote April 4.
Nini'ane
Council defers taro resolution
by Nathan Eagle - THE GARDEN ISLAND, March 13, 2008
Residents armed with petitions and signs urged the County Council to pass a resolution supporting a bill now moving forward in the state Legislature that would place a 10-year moratorium on developing, testing, propagating, cultivating, growing and raising genetically engineered taro in Hawai‘i.
The morning debate yesterday at the Historic County Building ended in a unanimous vote for a deferral after farmers and scientists exchanged information about the culturally important edible plant.
While testimony overwhelmingly urged the resolution’s passage, representatives from a large biotech seed production company and a university research institute voiced opposition to the measure.
Both sides in their arguments pointed at insufficient information about genetically modified organisms.
Critics said modifying taro’s genetic make-up to create disease-resistant varieties could ensure long-term survivability of the plant while supporters said unknown risks exist and a moratorium would provide a necessary “time out” to weigh the benefits.
Big Island taro expert Jerry Konanui presented a short film about the need to protect the sacred native Hawaiian plant for future generations. Kaua‘i produces roughly 70 percent of the state’s taro.
After serving as a proud proponent of genetic engineering “to save the world,” he said he did a complete 180 after attending conferences on the subject on the Mainland.
“What my hippie friends told me is: ‘Jerry, you need to go and educate yourself,’” said Konanui, a multi-generation taro farmer. “We don’t know if genetic engineering is good. We don’t know the risk. We don’t know the benefits. ... The moratorium is not a total ban, it is a resting period.”
Pioneer scientist Sarah Styan said none of the seed companies with research fields on Kaua‘i are doing anything with taro or plan to do anything with taro, but she was there to oppose the proposed resolution.
“We don’t mandate genetic engineering is the solution,” she said, but it is a tool to be used.
University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources County Administrator Roy Yamakawa agreed.
There are definite benefits to organic farming, he said, but genetic engineering is a specific science.
“We’re trying to take technology and trying to make it useful for the people,” he said.
The risk of cross-pollination, which several farmers suggested could wipe out traditional taro varieties, is unlikely at best, Yamakawa said.
Councilwoman JoAnn Yukimura said one way to address the uncertainty over genetic engineering is a 10-year moratorium, another is by establishing protocols such as highly secure labs.
“Currently, it’s in the infancy of research,” Yamakawa said, adding that industry demand will determine if studies move forward.
He pointed to some 300 Big Island papaya farmers who would not be in operation today without genetic engineering.
A similar threat to taro exists, he said, referring to phytophthora colocasiae, a fungus-like organism that impacted American Samoa taro.
But Konanui said this is more rhetoric to instill fear in consumers and farmers.
The kupuna understood the need to grow varieties — some fare well in colder waters at higher elevations and others in warmer patches at lower altitudes. One variety comprises roughly 90 percent of all taro now cultivated, he said.
More than 300 taro varieties existed when European explorers arrived on the islands, the Senate bill states. This number has fallen to roughly 70 today.
Dr. Donald Greer, who teaches at Kaua‘i Community College, did a study on taro from 2000 to 2005. She focused on its connection to culture, habitat for endangered water birds and economic sustainability.
All of the 45 farmers she worked with said the primary reason they have farmed taro generation after generation is its ability to bring families closer together, Greer told the council.
After the potential of genetically modified food was introduced a few years ago, she said, farmers have been torn over how to proceed.
It could endanger kalo farmers, their lifestyles, local ecology and spirituality, she said.
Several young taro farmers asked council to pass the resolution. They wore shirts saying “If you no work, you no eat” and waved signs saying “GE any taro, you contaminate all taro.”
GMO Free Kaua‘i spokeswoman Jeri DiPietro said she had petitions with more than 2,500 signatures supporting a ban on all genetically modified organisms on island.
“I just want to protect my own ability to eat organic food and see our island be a clean and healthy place,” she said.
Kaua‘i Taro Growers Association President Rodney Haraguchi said in his written testimony to the council that the group opposed the moratorium.
“All the taro farmers understand and are sensitive to the cultural significance of taro to the Hawaiian community, and also have reservations about GMO taro, however, they are opposed to have a law passed for 10 years restricting research which may be necessary,” he said.
Haraguchi pointed to the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources voluntarily imposed moratorium in 2005 to not genetically experiment with Hawaiian taro varieties until the Hawaiian community deems it necessary.
All sides of the issue supported concurrent legislation in the Senate that would create a taro security and purity task force. Both bills will have hearings by early April.
The task force would pull together stakeholders to discuss the future of taro in Hawai‘i.
Konanui, who helped draft the task force legislation, said the moratorium is still necessary to keep researchers from going through the back door during that dialogue.
County councils on Neighbor Islands have recently passed resolutions supporting Senate Bill 958, which calls for the moratorium on cultural reasons alone. Big Island passed its resolution Jan. 24 and Councilwoman Shaylene Iseri-Carvalho said Maui passed its yesterday.
Generations of native Hawaiians have considered taro, or kalo, a sacred plant.
“Kalo intrinsically ties the interdependency of the past, the present, and the future, the essence of procreation and regeneration, as the foundation of any sustainable practice,” the proposed legislation states. “Kalo expresses the spiritual and physical well-being of not only the kanaka maoli and their heritage, but also symbolizes the environmental, social and cultural values important to the state.”
• Nathan Eagle, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or neagle@kauaipubco.com.