Now Is The Time to Show Up: Save Haloa Hearing Wed. 9 am State Capitol Auditorium‏

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Kaui March 21, 2008 at 7:44pm

I was so proud that a lot of people showed up at the palace that day. I could feel the "mana"! I mua Hawai'i!
Pono Kealoha March 19, 2008 at 12:18am

Governing taro's future
By Jai Cunningham, KHON2

A bill in the state legislature would put a ten year moratorium on genetically modifying taro grown in Hawaii.

It's a debate that draws strong emotion from both sides.

For many it's about protecting ohana. So, they support the senate bill that would ban genetically modifying what they see as more than a staple of the Hawaiian diet.

"Taro is not just a plant for Hawaiians, it's their ancestor. And so for Hawaiians it's critically important that you don't have experiments done on their ancestor," said State Representative Maile Shimabukuro, (D) Waianae, Makaha, Makua.

Alicia Maluafiti disagrees. "I mean personally I think we all believe in perpetuating the Hawaiian culture, but it really comes down to this. Do we risk losing taro completely, or do we use science and technology to insure that we have it for future generations," she said.

Maluafiti points to a taro leaf blight that has proved to be disasterous to taro there.

"The challenges that we face as taro farmers are not disease. Leaf blight as been here for over 100 years," said Jim Cain, a taro grower in Waipio Valley on the Big Island.

Cain points to a page full of signatures collected from Waipio Valley on the Big Isle in support of a GMO ban.

And they're not alone. Pages of testimony from all ages--- say leave taro alone.

But some taro farmers say that would be a mistake. "There are various diseases out there once they get here will, in my view, cause extinction," taro farmer Alfred Balauro said.

Balauro says it's like medicine for plants.

"It goes into our ecosystem and has unknown effects to people who never consented to having this experiment on them," Shimabukuro said.

"The enemy is not genetic engineering. The enemy is disease and pest. And unfortunately most of the folks who advocating against any kind of genetic engineering they want to take that option off the shelf," Maluafiti countered.

There will be another hearing on the divisive issue Wednesday at 9:00 am at the State Capitol.
Pono Kealoha March 18, 2008 at 11:46pm

BLOG: KAUAI ECLECTIC

Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Musings: For Love of Haloa
Late yesterday afternoon, frazzled and fret from a
day’s tedious work, I headed for the hills and
rediscovered joy.

Standing out there, in the midst of all that life, my
eyes feasting on ohia lehua, hala, uluhe and kukui, my
ears filled with birdsong and breeze, I said “I love
you” out loud to the world.

It’s a sentiment I’ve expressed often in my backyard
taro patch, for which I have a special and abiding
affection.

Ever since my friend Ka`imi told me the story, in a
Hanalei taro patch, of Haloa, the stillborn offspring
of gods that became the first taro plant from whom the
Hawaiian people are descended, I’ve seen it as more
than just a beautiful, hardy, useful, productive crop.

Ever since he planted the first row of huli behind my
house and said, “Now you have an army of Hawaiians
guarding you Aunty Joan,” I’ve found it impossible to
view it as just as another plant.

We’ve developed a rapport, the kalo and me, as I’ve
watched it grow, harvested and eaten it, re-planted
the huli and seen it expand from a small army to a
force to be reckoned with.

When I got sick, it started ailing, too. When I
recovered, it flourished. When I walk among it, it
leans toward me. When the moon is bright, it glows
silver. When the rain is heavy, fat drops pool in the
heart of its leaves.

In a world of remarkable plants, kalo is something
special. It’s sacred. Its cultural roots run very,
very deep.

That’s why I’m so adamantly opposed to the University
of Hawaii’s attempts to genetically modify taro. I
happen to believe that all genetic engineering is
morally wrong, scientifically dubious, economically
motivated and environmentally dangerous.

And when it comes to taro, it’s absolutely
unconscionable. Many Hawaiians vehemently oppose it,
seeing it as the final co-opting of their culture, and
I agree. Taro farmers haven’t asked for it. No current
disease problem warrants it. Consumer acceptance of it
is doubtful. It’s a bad idea in every way — except for
UH, which could make money from selling the patent.

Don’t be fooled by arguments that research should
continue “just in case.” It costs a lot of money to
develop a genetically engineered plant. Once it’s
done, UH will want to sell it and then it will be
difficult to keep it out of the taro patch.

If the state and the University truly want to help
taro farmers, then they should figure out a way to
eradicate the apple snail, take steps to restore water
to the streams and put taro lands back into the hands
of Hawaiians.

But leave the kalo genome alone.

At 9 a.m. Wednesday, the House committee on
agriculture, chaired by Rep. Clift Tsuji, will conduct
a hearing on SB 958, which imposes a 10-year
moratorium on developing, testing, propagating,
cultivating, growing, and raising genetically
engineered taro in the State.

Please, take a moment to submit your testimony to
SB958writtenonlytaro@capitol.hawaii.gov. They'll be
accepting comments up through the end of the hearing.

If you want more details, visit Hawaii Seed.

Malama kalo. Aloha Haloa.

Posted by Joan at 7:24 AM
1 COMMENTS:
Anonymous said...
Thank you Joan. I just sent in my written testimony in
support of the bill.

Some things are more important than money, and
evidence suggests that profit is the motive of the
biotech industry.

-Katy
Pono Kealoha March 18, 2008 at 10:29pm

WEALTH before HEALTH. GMO

From: David Duffy <dduffy@hawaii.edu>
>> Date: March 10, 2008 4:16:58 PM HST
>> To: eecbfaculty-l@hawaii.edu, eecbstudents-l@hawaii.edu, uhmbotstu->> l@hawaii.edu, uhmbotfac-l@hawaii.edu, uhari-l@hawaii.edu
>> Subject: taro research ban until 2017: Hawaiian Legislature SB 958
>>
>> My apologies, I earlier sent out an incomplete email on taro and >> the proposed 10 year ban on GMO research. This may seem arcane >> but it is a vital issue to research here in Hawai`i.
>>
>> I have attached a brief summary of the issue that didn't get >> attached last time and a longer
>> explanation of the need for GMO work on taro
>> http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/gmo/documents/Update-GE-Dec14-06.pdf
>>
>> You may or may not like taro or think genetically engineered >> organisms in general are a great idea, but the point here is that >> banning research as this bill does is a very dangerous precedent. >> SB 958 would ban taro research not because it is illegal or even >> immoral, but because it disagrees with the religious views of one >> part of our society.
>>
>> That viewpoint is to be respected and even admired, but just as we >> have not as a society allowed Fundamentalist Christianity to >> impose Creationist teaching on science in our schools, the >> Kumulipo should not form the basis for the state's research >> policy. The words "sacred", "revered", "religious practices" were >> used by a Senate committee in relation to taro http://>> www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2008/CommReports/>> SB958_SD1_SSCR28_.htm . The bill itself states: "Kalo expresses >> the spiritual and physical well-being of not only the kanaka >> maoli. . .", so the matter is a religious one.
>>
>> Respectfully, the state does not have the power to enact such >> legislation. The U. S. Constitution under the First Amendment >> states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of >> religion". The State Constitution in Article I, Section 4 states: >> "4. No law shall be enacted respecting an establishment of religion".
>>
>> The bill is also bad science. The hard evidence that genetically >> modified (GM) organisms are dangerous is elusive at best. If they >> were, we might have to round up all diabetics or thyroid patients, >> as the medicine that keeps them alive comes from genetically >> modified organisms. We need hard evidence of risk before a law is >> passed.
>>
>> In addition, the experimental taro strain rarely flowers, and the >> insect that pollinates Hawaiian taro is not present in Hawai`i so >> the existing taro strains would have to be hand pollinated from a >> GM source if they are to produce viable seed. It is hard to see >> how GM taro would run rampant on the landscape, as conceivably >> might a wind-pollinated GM plant species.
>>
>> If we want to build an economy on more than tourism and the >> military, we need to explore and nurture alternatives, but if >> passed this bill will send a very clear message that innovation >> and research are not safe in Hawai`i. Our economy has to be based >> on more than young people moving to the mainland.
>>
>> Finally there is the question of academic freedom. If our >> legislature can ban research on a particular food species, >> legislatures across the country have precedent for banning all >> sorts of controversial things at state universities. Islamic >> studies? Gay and Lesbian studies? Reproductive rights? Evolution? >> Some state out there would love to put a stop to it.
>>
>> As scientists, you have an informed perspective on this matter. >> The House Agriculture Committee will have hearings later this >> month. Please take the time to write testimony now (pro or con) >> and mail it to the Chair: Representative Clifton Tsuji >> (reptsuji@Capitol.hawaii.gov) and other members of the House >> Agriculture Committee, http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/house/>> comm/commAGR.asp, asking that your testimony be considered when SB >> 958 is heard by his committee.
>>
>> This is an unfortunate clash of culture, religion and science. >> Please respect the Native Hawaiian perspective in your testimony >> while remembering that science has its own internal moral values >> that must be respected if science is to function.
>>
>> David Duffy, Botany
>>
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------------------
>> SB 958
>>
>> A BILL FOR AN ACT
>>
>> relating to genetically modified organisms.
>>
>> BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
Email sent out to researchers at UH re: Haloa‏
To all concerned:

If David Duffy's atempt is to incur the wrath of the Hawaii Nationals, he surely has succeeded. His smug arrogance foisters such condemnation of his words.

Using "stolen property" to later claim ownership and receive pecuniary profit from it is unconscionable. Let him use his own family for laboratory rats! The taro belongs to us and traditonally our food source and not that of his. He just doesn't get it with his manifest destiny mentality.

This ultracrepidarian critic sees it through myopic tunnel vision and not the broad one which deals with an entire society and not a fragmented point of argument he wishes to highlight. He insipidly fails to recognize that he is living in a different society and culture and not that of the US WASP society of the USA. May I remind those of you that may be ignorant of facts that this is the Hawaiian Kingdom regardless of what you have been taught or believe, which is still under the unlawful belligerent occupation by the USA.

If Duffy opens his eyes to what is happening in his country and throughout the world, he wouldn't be suffering from oneirataxia and saying there is no hard evidence that GMO is dangerous. There is responsible science and irresponsible science; an one needs to know the difference. The rammifications will be widespread and infringe on our health and well-being.

"We need hard evidence of risk before a law is passed." says "Mr. Supercilious". This reminds me of the Mongoose Syndrome that says actions with no forethought will more than likely bring disaster. It's like putting the cart before the horse. He just wants to make a better mouse-trap with the taro. There may be plants that they can extract or implant from it for medicinal purposes and usually it may be "terra nullius" so they could use it. If it belongs to a people in the area, they need permission to use it and not steal it or think they have the perogative to take whatever they want.

Duffy trivializes the "fujitive" seeds and pollen and expresses how benign his "frankenstein" seeds are. There are many ways to pollinate and since we have wetland taro, also; pollen can be spread via that resource besides manual, wind, and insects. GMO companies are also infamously known to sue local farmers if their renegade seeds should contaminate the local farmers crops.

Speaking of economy in the islands, the message is responsibility with innovative ideas not reckless experimentation. Money is the root of all evil. What Duffy is alluding to is that a crystal meth lab is okay because it contributes to the economy. That line of reasoning is contentious indeed just to have diversity for the sake of economic expansion. There is a line to be drawn and we have drawn it.

The statement of the question of academic freedom should be clarified like when people use "it's a free country" tiresome remark. Freedom extends to the point where it doesn't infringe on another's freedom. So there are parameters that need to be respected.

Once again I have to remind Duffy, that this is the motherland/homeland of the Hawaii nationals albeit he comes from a foreign country, USA. We are not going to the North American continent to tell him he can't express his WASP academic freedom there; but here in Hawaii, we are saying, you can't do anything to tamper with our taro or our flora without our permission. If we say, "No!", then just accept it. It's not yours for the taking.

We have cultivated our taro for well over a thousand years. I have strict confidence in our taro farmers that they will do the respectful and pono thing in nuturing our crop which is an integral part of us and part of our sustinence. We also have our own unique, particular science that should be respected and if we choose to incorporate any of the outside-world science, that will be our choice. Until then, Hands Off of Our Taro. No taro regardless from where you import it from should be experimented in Hawaii unless you have our permission as it would affect our taro grown here.

I hope I have been explicitly clear on this issue. The deep controversy on this subject merits the moratorium which is sound common sense and logic. While the Western science has its own internal moral values; we have ours and if you want us to respect yours, respect ours.

He Hawai'i au,
Tane