Most residents back county resolutions for cultural reasonsby Nathan Eagle - THE GARDEN ISLANDMore than a dozen residents opposed to genetically modified taro hoisted the culturally important plant and flaunted “protect your roots” shirts behind farmers who testified before the Kaua‘i County Council, yesterday, at the Historic County Building.The council has proposed resolutions supporting three bills pending at the state Legislature that would impose a 10-year moratorium on developing or growing genetically engineered taro, create a taro security and purity task force and fund statewide research on the apple snail, an invasive pest threatening the crop.Supporters, representing the vast majority of speakers who addressed the council during the hours-long hearing, said messing with the genetic make-up of taro disrespects Native Hawaiians who consider the edible plant sacred. They also argued that a lack of information on the effects of genetically altered food, specifically taro, presents real risks to consumers.Opponents claim genetic engineering research could produce disease-resistant taro, securing its future. They also said there is little chance of cross-contamination between varieties because of the nature of the species.The council did not take action by press time. Testimony for the hearing, which started at 2:15 p.m., was still flowing hours later.“Don’t fool around with the taro,” said John A‘ana, a Westside farmer for the past 30 years, who held up a taro plant as he addressed council. “The bottom line is you need to show respect for the Hawaiian culture.”Wendell Rich, the site manager for Monsanto in Hanapepe, opposed the council resolutions but said that the multi-national biotechnology company and leading producer of genetically engineered seeds and herbicides has no plans to do anything with taro.“The disease argument to me is a fear factor,” Anahola resident Hale Mawae said. “GMO represents control and manipulation of our food crops. Do we give that to these corporate companies?”A Maui County Council committee and the Big Island County Council have passed similar resolutions supporting the state’s effort to temporarily ban work related to genetically modified taro.Roy Oyama, representing the Kauai Farm Bureau, voiced opposition to a moratorium on testing genetically engineered taro.“I don’t care what you tell me, research is needed,” he said, noting concerns over viral threats.He acknowledged that the bureau did not poll its 360-plus members, saying the decision was based on a policy statement adopted at the group’s annual state convention.“Many of them don’t know what’s going on,” he said, referring to local members. “Agriculture is burning in my heart. I want to see it progress and feed every one of you.”Senate Bill 958, which would impose the 10-year moratorium, was deferred after a seven-hour hearing March 19 before the House Agriculture Committee. An overwhelming majority of testimony delivered at the Capitol reportedly supported the resolution.The House referred Senate Bill 2518, which would provide $500,000 in grant funding for taro research, to the Ways and Means Committee.The House Finance Committee held a hearing yesterday at the Capitol on Senate Bill 2915, which would create the taro task force.Taro and taro markets are in a state of decline, according to the state legislation. The threats that taro farming families and communities face in cultivating taro are numerous and growing.Taro lands in Hawai‘i represent less than 1 percent of all agricultural lands in cultivation in the state, yet it remains the most important traditional cultural crop in Hawai‘i, the state legislation says.“The way the issue has been handled is ripping the community apart,” Kapa‘a resident Adam Asquith said, supporting council’s proposed resolutions.County Council members Shaylene Iseri-Carvalho and Mel Rapozo authored the resolutions.“This bill does not prohibit continued dialogue,” Iseri-Carvalho said. “Why not be safe before we proceed?”See a future edition of The Garden Island for follow-up on yesterday’s meeting.• Nathan Eagle, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or neagle@kauaipubco.com.
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Resolution supports 10-year moratoriumby Nathan Eagle - THE GARDEN ISLANDA deeply rooted community debate over the future of a culturally important crop on Kaua‘i climaxed late Thursday night at the Historic County Building.After hearing hours of heartfelt pleas and hopeful comments from farmers and scientists, keiki and kupuna, the County Council passed a resolution supporting a bill pending in the state Legislature that would place a 10-year moratorium on growing or developing genetically modified taro.Councilmembers Mel Rapozo, Shaylene Iseri-Carvalho, Tim Bynum and Jay Furfaro cast votes in favor of the resolution; JoAnn Yukimura, Ron Kouchi and Bill “Kaipo” Asing against it. The split 4-3 vote reflected a torn community.Supporters want taro, or kalo in Hawaiian, to remain pure. Generations of Native Hawaiians consider it disrespectful to even consider messing with the genetic make-up of the sacred plant.Legend has it Kalo sprouted from Haloa, the stillborn child of Wakea, the sky father, and Ho‘ohokukalani, the star mother, to become the first taro plant thousands of years ago.Kalo provides the kanaka maoli’s life-giving sustenance, poi, and is seen as the older brother of mankind, according to Senate Bill 958, which would impose the temporary ban on genetically modified taro.Bynum, a first-term councilman, said he was pulled in by the cultural arguments.“I’m a transplant here. I was embraced with aloha by a whole lot of people who live here,” he said yesterday. “They’re saying it’s sacred and are asking to honor the culture. That’s what wooed me. It was my toughest decision yet.”While the vast majority of oral testimony pushed for the resolution’s passage, some residents argued that genetic engineering research could uncover ways to produce a disease-resistant plant — securing its future.“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,” Kaua‘i Taro Growers Association President Rodney Haraguchi said in his written testimony. “However, they are opposed to have a law passed for 10 years restricting research which may be necessary.”Kaua‘i farmers produce roughly 75 percent of the state’s taro, Bynum said.The crop comprises less than 1 percent of all agricultural lands in cultivation in Hawai‘i, according to state legislation.The public hearing spanned some nine hours with the final roll call vote around 11:30 p.m., Bynum said. The council had to wade through this testimony in addition to input from another public hearing two weeks ago and a steady stream of written remarks.Yukimura released a written statement yesterday explaining why she voted against the resolution.“I do not believe it is pono to pass a law instituting a 10-year moratorium without taking the time to understand the objections, reservations and concerns of those who produce the majority of the taro in the state — most of whom are Kaua‘i farmers, our neighbors and friends who for generations have been keeping poi on all of our tables,” she says. “This doesn’t mean that I don’t believe a moratorium might or should be eventually instituted, but I think that decision should be made by the stakeholders, not county councils or legislators — at least not until after those with a stake in taro have gone through a process and come to a consensus or an agreement to disagree.”Council deferred the resolution at its March 12 meeting after hearing from residents who rallied with signs and taro-related shirts. The numbers were almost double on Thursday when an estimated 30 community members, some carrying taro plants as proof of a healthy GMO-free crop, filled council chambers.The resolution’s passage makes a policy statement, Bynum said, noting that its weight remains uncertain.There is no genetically modified taro in production in the state and the University of Hawai‘i recently abandoned attempts to patent some strains of the plant.There are some 70 taro varieties in existence today, Senate Bill 958 states, down from an estimated 300 or more at the time European explorers arrived.“For me, the question is how do we solve the problems of taro security and purity, including the debate over the 10-year moratorium, without breaking the ‘ohana apart?” Yukimura says. “I passionately believe that there is a way to do that. That way is often harder because it takes deep listening, suspending our judgments and positions and really seeking to understand before seeking to be understood. But, in fact, the solutions to our problems, whatever the solutions may be, depend on the ‘ohana staying together and working together.”When ‘ohana is broken into root words, “oha” is the smaller taro corms growing from the older part of the plant that is used to feed one’s family and “ana” is a conjunctive word connoting regeneration or procreation, according to state legislation.“In voting against the council resolution supporting SB 958, I know that there will be people who say that I am for GMOs. Or, that I don’t have respect for the native Hawaiian culture, which will hurt me, but I accept that condemnation with the humility of knowing that in this job as a councilmember I will sometimes be misunderstood,” Yukimura says. “I hope some people will try to read my heart and will understand that it is my respect for relationships and ‘ohana, also a value of our host culture, that underlies my position, and my passionate belief that people can come together, respect and listen to each other and resolve an issue together.”Both sides of the debate acknowledge a lack of information on the health risks associated with genetically modified taro.Moratorium supporters say the temporary ban would provide time to learn more, but critics say it simply goes too far.The House Agriculture Committee deferred Senate Bill 958 on March 19.The council unanimously passed two separate taro-related resolutions in support of Senate Bill 2518 and Senate Bill 2915.The House referred Senate Bill 2518, which would provide $500,000 in grant funding for taro research, to the Ways and Means Committee.The House Finance Committee on Thursday passed an amended version of Senate Bill 2915, which would create a taro security and purity task force.County councils on Neighbor Islands have recently passed measures supporting Senate Bill 958. Big Island passed its resolution Jan. 24. Maui passed its version out of committee two weeks ago and it is expected to head to a full council for a vote yesterday.• Nathan Eagle, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or neagle@kauaipubco.com
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A Portrait of Haloa: Our Elder BrotherA Testimonial Essay in Support of a Ten Year Moratoriumof Genetic Modifcation of KaloHaloa. Kalo. Our elder brother who became one with the ‘aina. Our great ancestor who’s only breath could be taken from the lau(leaf) at the core of the piko(center). The plant which feeds all kanaka. The plant that nourishes our kino(body). The plant, which connects us to our piko, our na‘au, and all of our ancestors, who have come before us. But most importantly it is the plant that gave our people life and a sustainable future for hundreds of generations that continues to this day.This immortal being transcends far beyond my connection to that piko, beyond all capability of human understanding and thought, beyond all scientific and cultural explanation and is being raped by scientists who’s only goal is to reap extreme profit with methods of science that can only be considered universally to be unethical, immoral, and falling under illegal practice because of our indigenous cultural ancestry to this plant.Haloa-na-ka-lau-ka-pa-liliHaloa takes his first breath.The lau cascading to the piko as it curves to the neck of the ha,The stalk of the great plant.It's withered leaves hang gently in the warm sunToward the reflecting pool of the lo’i(taro patch).Each leaf slowly drifting into its own reflectionPulling away from it's mother.It’s source.The resemblance to an 'iewe(lit. placenta)Cascading into a pool that could easily cradle a hundred children,All tied to the earth,Nursing from its great source, kumu honua.The ‘aina(lit. that which feeds. Def. land) nurturing the expanding kalo into all its great many feasts that follow after; with poi, kulolo, laulau, or Tutu's famous squid luau, that was so ono, to ask for the recipe would mean living in a life of culinary secrecy.Tutu’s hearty meals of fresh fish, ulu, uala, a salad of ‘opae and ho‘io fern shoots, and a modest portion of kalua pua‘a freshly salted, placed on a large table surrounding a large wooden ‘umeke(def. bowl. calabash) filled with freshly made pa‘i ai, that tutu would mold with her hands with moderate portions of water until she had rich poi with the kalo from uncle’s lo‘i just up the road.From the eldest member of the family to the youngest baby in her mama’s arms, we hold hands, bow our heads and pule.“Mahalo e na akua. Mahalo e na kupuna o keia ‘aina. E malama oukou ia makou keia ‘ohana. E ola no ke kino. E ola no ka Haloa. E ola no keia ohana, I ka wa mamua, I ka wa mahope. Amama ua noa.”The prayer is lifted. It is ended. It is free.Tutu puts her hand on her hip, smiles big, and wipes the sweat from her brow, after finishing preparing such a lavish feast. “Go eat! Go eat!” She says softly as she shoos the flies away with a ti-leaf gripped in her hand. Her hands with creases in her fingers like rings on a tree, but as soft as her weaved lauhala bracelet that hangs from her gentle wrist.She watches as all her mo’opuna(def. grandchildren) drift by the table and take food on their plate. Each mo’opuna smiling with mouthfuls of good Hawaiian food, and giggling with joy as they take a warm spoonful of fresh poi from the ‘umeke.As each passing generation takes poi from that same ‘umeke to feed their na’au. Entailing each following generation will continue on and flourish. That it will survive.Taking the huli, and gently placing it back into the ‘aina, as it promises the hope of harvest for the next generation. A promise for the next seasonal feast.Haloanakalaukapalili.Haloa of the trembling leaf.Concieved is the child from the sacred union of Wakea and Ho’ohokukalani.E ala e Haloanakalaukapalili!Haloa, the first born.Carried is the child of the mother, Ho’ohokukalani.Ho ‘ohokukalani, the mother, who is born of the sacred union between the father of the heavens, Wakea; and the mother of the Earth, Papa.The mother of Haloa, who is birthed from po(lit. night), where dwells all past, present, and future akua who make up all things both light and dark on this kumu honua(lit. earth).Born is the child of the sacred mother, Ho’ohokukalani.E ala e Haloanakalaukapalili!Haloa, the still born child.Ho'ohokukalani and Wakea give this still born child back to the earth. And from this burial, straight from the piko of this still child, rose the ha. And as the lau uncurled itself and opened to the sun, Haloa took his first breath and trembled into the wind.E ola ka Haloa. E ola mau. Haloa lives. He lives again.The trembling leaf that gives hope to the promise for the next generation.The trembling leaf that gives hope for the birth of the younger sibling from this same sacred union.Haloa-na-kanaka.Haloa the younger sibling.Haloa of the second generation.Haloa of the people.Haloa of the kanaka maoli.Our sacred connection to Haloa can only be held in the highest regard and utmost respect for the origin of such a birth in nature for the kanaka maoli, who are undeniably the true people of this ‘aina.It goes beyond the aspect of gods and mythological unions. It goes beyond that from which stems Hawaiian philosophy of creation of life and of such a beings as Haloa. It tells us a story that man must respect for nature because if nature can create such a life as Haloa, then nature must be the highest form of mythical like endurance. How can we as mere human beings even begin to comprehend or even pretend to comprehend the infinite unpredictability that nature wields?The law of nature must govern not only kalo, but all of our food crop and plants. To say that we have the power over natural law, and can manipulate life without question says that we have come to a place in humanity when we no longer respect life, when we think outside of the environment we live.But most importantly, it presents the question, if nature is capable of creating such a rich life in nature, which is ultimately meant to feed people at large demands, why are we having to tamper with it’s life through genetic engineering, indefinitely altering that plants natural law and it’s natural life for the purpose of research? Are we as humans so inclined to control life that we must understand nature’s richest creation’s?Is it the curiosity for how the nature of such a thing is made up, or are we wanting to understand how we can control nature and produce life for our own greedy profit in controlling our food source? Tightening the grip of have’s and have not’sMan has proven incapable and highly irresponsible to hold and wield this power. They have shown no restraint in pushing forward with unregulated research on our sovereign land. Genetically Modified food research that has been stopped in a majority of our international community because of the ethical, moral, and serious health and human welfare questions regarding their methods of research and farming. One of the biggest questions being that these company’s have the intent for patenting any plant they create so they may ultimately control a food crop.Control for how it is grown. Control of how it cooks and is put on the table. How it tastes in your mouth. How it digests in your stomach. How the genetically modified nutrients are absorbed into your body. Complete and total control as your huli shrivels up and dies instead of being able to turn it back into the earth for it’s next season. Instead, having to turn to the company who licensed and patented the plant you harvested in your ground, to be purchased in order for you to have a new season.Not only that, but any keiki’s or hybrid keiki’s that stem from your plant, the patenting research company could then own and seize at their disclosure because of its patent on that plant.A case in the Midwest of an independent canola farmer proved true as the giant Mansanto biotech company’s seeds blew into the farmer’s fields naturally. His organic canola fields were naturally contaminated with genetically modified canola. The farmer then received a letter by mail stating that the company owning the patent, was filing suit, and would be taking him to court as a violation of Mansanto’s corporate patent. Mansanto is also based here in our state on Kaua‘i doing corn research. Corn research, which has caused medical conditions at a public school here in Waimea by Syngenta a company with similar genetic farming practices.We the people cannot allow a government or corporate entities of this kind to control any type of food source, especially Haloa, who is cradled in the great bosom of our sovereign land.We do not want manipulative corporate and government backed scientists, funded largely by Government and private agencies to continue this type of research here in our sovereign kingdom of Hawai‘i and in the U.S. occupying state of Hawai‘i. We do not want, nor do we see the need for this type of control. There has been enough done already to control our lives as a Hawaiian nation and culture, leave our plants alone.We cannot stand by and allow genetics labs under the guide of Government and Corporate interests to research and take properties from kalo and other plants. Privatized entities, who, have shown no restraint in pushing their research forward when there are too many risks surrounding research already being conducted here in our islands. i.e. Mansanto, Syngenta, Pioneer.Taking properties, which they intend to manipulate, produce, create, and sell at the cost of unregulated genetically infected food and land, high-risk potential for damages to human health and welfare, and the continuing destruction of safe, naturally bio-diverse, environments.The human hand has made too many mistakes to allow another potential mistake to sneak in the door. “For every action, there is an opposite and equal reaction.” I believe we all should think about this, before making any decision regarding how our elder brother Haloa should be played with.I ask that we start our year off in making the right decision to save Haloa. Save Him from the grasp of illegal manipulation and control. Save him from the genetic touch of human hands, and question yourself why other genetically modified foods are being allowed to continue without your jurisdiction. We face too great a risk in even thinking on it and having Haloa on our discussion table.Please support our plea to stop genetic engineering on Kalo. Ke’olu’olu mai. Please think about the repercussions your decision could affect if a moratorium isn’t in place, and how that will effect the kanaka maoli community indefinitely. Think about the damaging effects genetic research in Hawai‘i has already caused, and what we can do to stop further damages to address the people’s demands.I think sometimes it must be easy to forget when you hold so much power in your hands. It's easy to forget the few people that you run into in your early years as a budding politician, who may have been the one who affected your life with one single sway of a vote. A vote that mattered amongst thousands and sometimes millions of others.Sometimes it's just that easy to forget.So it is with the power of what the people speak that says something to remember. To speak with positions of those who represent themselves and what they truly believe to be right, especially when it comes to food and the livelihood of farmer's that it supports.“Mai ho 'omauna i ka 'ai o huli mai auani'i o Haloa e nana.Do not be wasteful of food lest Haloa turn around and stare [at you].Do not be wasteful, especially of kalo, because it would anger Haloa, the taro god, who would sometime let the waster go hungry.”Mary Kawena Pukui, ‘Olelo No‘eau: Hawaiian Proverbs & Poetical SayingsHeed to these words for all food's sake.Mahalo nui loa me ke aloha pumehana no. E ola mau Haloanakalaukapalili!Kahalekaulanaakuakane MawaeEo Lono!
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