Yesterday, in the face of a historic outpouring of support for the genetic integrity of taro, the majority of Agriculture Committee members chose corporate biotech interests over those of Hawai’is’s traditional farmers.
Last month, well over 6,000 people from all corners of our community submitted testimony in support of a 10-year moratorium on the genetic modification of Hawaii’s most traditional and sacred food source, taro. Together, local taro farmers, scientists, professors, doctors, teachers, keiki, produce distributors, and Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners expressed concern about the potential environmental impacts of cross-contamination, unknown health consequences of genetic modification, and the cultural impacts of patenting. In the thousands, they expressed their opposition to the fundamental and irreversible modification of the genes of taro.
YET, in a 9-to-3 vote, the committee amended the bill to prohibit any future moratoriums on any GMO products, even at the county level. At the same time, they reduced the moratorium to 5 years and limited the protected taro plants to the Hawaiian varieties only. Under this amended bill, Haloa will not be protected. Now, other varieties of taro, like bun long, can still be genetically altered and cross-pollinate with the Hawaiian varieties, spreading the genetic alterations. More startling, this bill now also robs local communities of their ability to address GMO concerns in their own neighborhoods.
But we are not giving up.
“They should kill this bill and face the consequences and the wrath of the people. “It’s ridiculous. They don’t want to listen. But this is not the end. This is just the beginning.” – Jerry Konanui, Big Island Taro Farmer
The kuleana to protect elder brother, Haloa, is too important to turn our backs on! 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. And anything can happen. Learn more at the website and on the KAHEA blog.
In the meantime, every member of the Agriculture Committee is up for re-election this year. Prepare to plant your vote– Register to vote!
The momentum of this movement is stronger than ever. People all over the islands are now stepping up at the local level, starting campaigns of homegrown resolutions, speaking about this issue to every neighborhood board, at schools, registering voters, and continuing to take action, and to share.
This year could be revolutionary. Deepest mahalos to all who have shown their support and love, and who have taken action. This latest action is simply fuel for our imu! And we hungry!
Learn more:
4 responses so far ↓
Schiller Thurkettle // April 5, 2008 at 3:15 pm |
Taro is not native to Hawaii… it’s native to Asia. The plant was imported from there. Hawaiians are not native to Hawaii. All their ancestors were immigrants.
You need to re-think your attitudes about non-native plants and immigrants.
Where is the fairness? « KA HEA: the call to protect Hawaii nei // April 8, 2008 at 12:38 am |
[...] about ← “This is not the end, this is just the beginning.” [...]
Planting Your Vote, Taking Names « KA HEA: the call to protect Hawaii nei // April 8, 2008 at 1:03 am |
[...] the announcement late last week about the attempt to co-opt traditional farmers’ attempt to secure a simple 10-year moratorium on GMO taro, we’ve heard your outrage! Many of you have written to ask for details about the vote. [...]
KAHEA // April 9, 2008 at 8:04 pm |
Aloha e Schiller,
Mahalo nui for taking the time to read this blog and to write and share your thoughts. You bring up some interesting issues:
(1) What does it mean to be native or indigenous to a place?
(2) What does it mean to be an immigrant?
If we understand your worldview correctly, you are pointing out that all humans are immigrants originating out of central Africa 2 million years ago (Churchwald, Leaky 1963). We are, in this worldview, ALL immigrants.
While we do champion a different view of the world, we would propose that protecting a native species (however this is defined) need not inherently connote disrespect for anything non-native. This issue is about protecting all manner of plants, for all manner of people.
In fact, we seek to protect ALL varieties of taro. This on behalf of, and in solidarity with, people and plants around the globe. What is really at the heart of it, is that taro–and indeed all organisms in the world–cannot and should not be patented and owned. The very genealogy and genetics of things–particularly the things that feed and sustain us as humans–belongs to EVERYONE, and therefore should NEVER be patented, privatized, and/or commodified.
As demonstrated in principle by the 2007 injunction against GM alfalfa seed, all people have a right to protect what goes into their fields and into their bodies. They have a right to know when food is GM and all who grow have a right to protect their land and crops from GM contamination. This is the basic philosophy that has been embraced in places like Germany–and where people and growers are given the simple right to know and right to opt out, they almost universally HAVE chosen to do so.
Again, mahalo nui for sharing and engaging.
- Us Guys at KAHEA