Posted by Pono Kealoha on February 9, 2009 at 2:48am
Aloha mai kakou,We are very happy to report that the community's inspiring efforts to Malama Haloa and stop GMO-taro continue to thrive in 2009! Many, many people are now ma'a to the importance of protecting our precious island foods, and more and more community leaders are listening to the people and educating themselves about the many important health, 'aina and cultural reasons to protect taro.This year, taro farmers across Hawaii have introduced a new bill to the State to establish legal protections for the safety of the taro plant. This bill would establish a full ban on GMO-taro based on the importance of the taro plant as the foundation of Hawaii's heritage, as well as unique allergy-free health food, and special local agricultural industry that could be irreversibly damaged by introducing GMO-taro.There will be a 1st hearing in the State Senate Committee on Energy and the Environment (ENE)this TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10th at 3:30pmState Capitol rm. 225COME JOIN US!for SB709- to Protect Taro from genetic modification.read the bill here: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2009/Bills/SB709_.HTMFIND OUT MORE & EASILY SUBMIT YOUR TESTIMONY HERE!!!!http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2699/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=26585Bill SB709 Background Info:This bill was introduced by Senators English & Galuteria. The bill has similar language to SB958, from last year, however taro farmers & supporters are suggesting changes, or amendments, to some of that language because it does not protect ALL varieties of taro (it only protects specific named Hawaiian varieties, an incomplete list), and it does not address the health & economic concerns we have about GMO-taro. So we will be requesting amendments to the bill before it passes out of this committee at the Tuesday Feb. 10th hearing. These amendments would be to use the language of a bill the taro farmers introduced with the Hawaiian Caucus on the House side, HB1663. http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2009/Bills/HB1663_.HTMSenators know of these recommended changes and will hopefully work to fix the bill to better represent our community, science & industry concerns, but they need to hear from us for encouragement!About This 1st Hearing on Tuesday:It will be before the ENE committee. While we do believe to get support from most of the committee members, we can never be sure because of all the behind-the-scenes decision making and last minute no-shows that are inherent to politics. However, the more that these committee members hear from us to know they have the backing of the community, the more likely they will show up and back this bill. If this bill passes through this committee it will then go to the senate WTL committee, then cross over to the House....but this hearing on Tuesday is the 1st step, and very important to start the session strong! Please submit your testimony now!Please call these guys on MONDAY -and- TUESDAY morning!There are only 7 of them so it should only take max of 5 mins to call all of them...Senator Mike Gabbard, Committee Chair - (808)586-6830 (District: 19 - Waikele, Village Park, Royal Kunia, Makakilo, Kapolei, Kalaeloa, Honokai Hale, Portions of Waipahu and Ko 'Olina )Senator J. Kalani English, Committee Vice-Chair - (808)587-7225 (District 6 - Hana, East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka'i, Lana'i and Kaho'olawe)Senator Josh Green (808)586-9385 (District 3 - North and South Kohala, North and South Kona)Senator Gary L. Hooser (808)586-6030 (District 7 - Kaua'i, Ni'ihau)Senator Les Ihara (808)586-6250 (District 9 - Palolo, St. Louis Heights, Maunalani Heights, Kaimuki, Kapahulu, West Diamond Head, Waikiki Gold Coast)Senator Russell S. Kokubun (808)586-6760 (District 2 - Waiakea Uka, Kalapana, Volcano, Kahuku)Senator Fred Hemmings (808)587-8388 (Distirct 25 - Kailua, Lanikai, Waimanalo, Hawai'i Kai)Talking Points:- "I support protecting all natural taro and banning GMO-taro."- "I support the amendments that the taro farmers are proposing to SB709 to protect all varieties of taro and to protect the health of consumers & our local taro industry from GMO-taro, by changing the bill language to reflect that of HB1663."- "Please support taro farming in Hawaii by showing up to vote in support at the committee hearing on Tuesday at 3:30 and pass this bill with those appropriate amendments."- "Mahalo for listening to our community concerns and taking action to protect this sacred and important food resource in Hawaii."SUBMIT YOUR TESTIMONY HERE:http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2699/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=26585Please forward this email wide and far!Contact NaKahuOHaloa@gmail.com for more info and to get involved!Nana ka maka, Hana ka lima...e Malama Haloa!
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