Blog

Aloha Kaua!

Mahalo for taking part in the amazing movement to protect Hawaii's taro.

Over 6,000 people submitted written testimony in support of protecting Haloa. The hearing itself ran for at least 8 hours with more than 100 people offering verbal testimony and 300 supporters visiting the auditorium throughout the day. It was an historic event.

It is now undeniable--the public call for a 10-year moratorium on the genetic modification and patenting of all varieties of taro is overwhelming.

But Haloa still needs your help.

Despite the public's clear call to protect taro in Hawaii, Rep. Clift Tsuji did not pass SB 958 at the close of the hearing. Instead, he deferred decision-making.

If another meeting to pass the bill is not held before April 3rd then SB 958 is condsidered "dead"--so-called "death by deferral.

"

A few minutes today could make the difference -- please call key representatives to urge them to pass SB 958 without any changes.

For more about the hearing, visit our blog (www. blog. kahea. org)

Here are the phone numbers to call:

Clift Tsuji HAWAII - SOUTH HILO TO KURTISTOWN
586-8480; fax 586-8484; From the Big Island, toll free 974-4000 + 68480 reptsuji@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Tom Brower OAHU - WAIKIKI/ALA MOANA
586-8520; fax 586-8524 repbrower@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Lyla B.

Berg OAHU - KAHALA TO HAHAIONE
586-6510; fax 586-6511 repberg@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Jerry L.

Chang HAWAII - KEAUKAHA TO SOUTH HILO
586-6120; fax 586-6121; From Big Island, toll free 974-4000 + 66120 repchang@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Faye P.

Hanohano HAWAII - PUNA/PAHOA
586-6530; fax 586-6531; From the Big Island, toll free 974-4000 + 66530 rephanohano@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Robert N.

Herkes HAWAII - PUNA TO KONA
586-8400; fax 586-8404; From the Big Island, toll free 974-4000 + 68400 repherkes@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Joey Manahan OAHU - SAND ISLAND, MOKUEA, KALIHI KAI, KAPALAMA
586-6010; fax 586-6011 repmanahan@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Glenn Wakai OAHU - MOANALUA TO SALT LAKE
586-6220; fax 586-6221 repwakai@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Ryan I.

Yamane OAHU - WAIPAHU/MILILANI
586-6150; fax 586-6151 repyamane@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Kyle T.

Yamashita MAUI PUKALANI TO ULUPALAKUA (UPCOUNTRY)
586-6330; fax 586-6331; From Maui, toll free 984-2400 + 66330 repyamashita@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Corinne W.L.

Ching OAHU - NUUANU/ALEWA HEIGHTS
586-9415; fax 586-9421 repching@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Colleen Rose Meyer OAHU - KANEOHE TO LAIE
586-8540; fax 586-8544 repmeyer@Capitol.hawaii.gov