Blog

It has been a busy month! We are so grateful to all the people who continue to work so hard to help protect Hawaii's unique environment and cultural heritage. We have shown time and again that when we stand together we can make a difference for our public trust resources.

1.
House Ag Committee Destroys Protective Intentions of SB958 on Thursday

In the face of a historic outpouring of support for the genetic integrity of Haloa, a majority of Agriculture Committee members chose corporate biotech interests over those of Hawai'i's traditional famers yesterday. Last month, over 7,000 people from all corners of our community submitted testimony in support of a 10-year moratorium on the genetic modification of Hawai'i's most traditional and sacred food source, taro. Community members have concerns about the potential environmental impacts, unknown health consequences, and cultural impacts of genetically modifying taro. Here in Hawai'i there is clear and strong opposition to the fundamental and irreversible modification of the genes of taro, a sacred geneology.

YET, in a 9-to-3 vote, the committee amended the bill to prohibit any future bans or regulations on any GMO products, even at the county level.
They also cut the moratorium to 5 years and limited the protections to cover only the Hawaiian varieties of taro. But with these amendments Haloa will not be protected.
Now, other varieties of taro, like the popular Bun Long variety, can still be genetically altered, cross-pollinate with the Hawaiian varieties and spread genetically modified genes into our ecosystems. More startling, another amendment to the bill also robs counties & local communities of their ability to address GMO concerns in their own neighborhoods.

We are not giving up.
The kuleana to protect elder brother, Haloa, is also a kuleana to protect our lives and way of life! We stand with the taro farmers and the thousands of people who voiced uncompromised support for protecting Haloa. There are still four weeks left in the Legislative Session- anything can happen.
Learn more at the website and on the KAHEA blog.

Prepare to take Haloa to the polls and PLANT YOUR VOTE! Click here to register to vote. Be a part of Growing Change in Politics! We are woking to put together information for you on which candidates truly Malama Haloa--please stay tuned!

2.
State can uphold Marine Protections for Navy Expansion Proposal in NWHI, but will it? Your voice needed!

In 2006, the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands were set aside as the first-ever marine national monument - the largest, most-protected marine reserve on earth. In the face of plans to open the area to increased human activity, six years of your persistant public pressure resulted in the creation of a true pu'uhonua (refuge) for the highly endangered Hawaiian monk seal, green sea turtles, millions of rare seabirds, and acres of fragile coral reefs.

But now, those protections are in jeopardy.
The U.S. Navy is proposing missile launches, experimental weapon and vehicle tests, and other inappropriate military maneuvers in the NWHI. Still yet, the co-managers have not invoked the 'minimize and mitigate' requirements of Monument regulations. Your voice is needed! The opportunity to fulfill our promise to fully protect Papahanaumokuakea begins now and will continue throughout the summer.

Today, you can help to empower the state in protecting all of our coastal resources - including the NWHI. The Coastal Zone Management Act can require the Navy to modify its proposed exercises to be consistent with Hawai'i's coastal protections to the maximum extent practicable. To do this, we are asking the State to require the Navy to prevent missiles flying over Papahanaumokuakea, limit the use of active sonar, and halt live-fire training where the contamination threatens public health.
Click here to express your support for the our coastal protections to Hawaii's Coastal Zone Management Program. The comment deadline is Monday, April 7th.

And watch for updates about the Papahanaumokuakea Monument Management Plan coming out later this month. Stay involved!! This will be another key opportunity to ensure the people's Monument is fully protected, including a citizen advisory council and a publicly accountable permitting process.

3. The story is being told, and you can participate first hand.
Meet Claire Cummings, author of "Uncertain Peril: Genetic Engineering and the Future of Seeds" on April 14!

"Uncertain Peril" tells the stories behind the rise of industrial agriculture and plant biotechnology, the fall of public interest science, and the folly of patenting seeds. Two chapters explore how biotechnology impacts Hawai'i and examines the vision of a Hawai'i that can feed itself. It explains how a more abundant future can be achieved and celebrates the innovations of local and indigenous communities who are building food systems based in a respectful relationship between people, plants, and place.

Come meet Claire Cummings - a farmer, lawyer, and journalist, who has worked extensively in Hawaii, California, and Vietnam, as well as in food policy as a former attorney for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Learn more about what is at stake in the genetic modification of our food.

Monday, April 14, 2008
6:30-8:30 p.m.

University of Hawaii at Manoa Law School Courtroom

Sponsored by KAHEA and Hawaii S.E.E.D.

You can visit www. kahea. org/gmo and KAHEA's blog for information about genetic engineering and what you can do to protect taro.

As always, mahalo nui loa for your participation and for adding your voice to the thousands who seek a vision of a different, better future for Hawai'i nei. This shared belief in a better future is at the heart of this movement for change. Mahalo for taking part.

A hui hou,

Us Guys at KAHEA

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KAHEA: The Hawaiian Environmental Alliance
kahea-alliance@hawaii-rr.com
1 (888) 528-6288

http://www. kahea. org
http://blog. kahea. org

E ho'omalu kakou i ka pono, ke 'ano o ka nohona a me ka 'aina mai na kupuna mai.

Protecting Native Hawaiian Traditional and Customary Rights and Our Fragile Environment