GMO Free Hawai`i Island Endorsements 2014

GMO Free Hawaii Island
2014 VOTER`S GUIDE

Mahalo for your kokua electing strong candidates this primary season.

WALK-IN VOTING - July 27 - Aug. 7, 2014
PRIMARY - Sat, Aug 9, 2014

Vote at your local polling station (as stated on your yellow Voter Registration and Address Confirmation postcard. Call the Office of Elections: (808) 961-8277 to find out if didn’t get one.

Here at GMOFHI we are a grassroots group focused on environmental health and want to build a close working relationship with our elected officials in all four branches of government; County, OHA, State, and the Federal level. After viewing public records, forums, and videos, when possible we arranged interviews with the top two candidates in each race.

We believe that building working relationships with our elected officials is very important and understand that there is no time like the present to begin fostering a healthy dialog. We enjoyed having the opportunity to begin a dialog with new candidates and to continue this conversation with incumbents about, protecting our GMO Free ban on taro, coffee, and all new crops, home rule, and GMO product labels. In addition we talked about how we could move forward to further protect the environmental health of Hawai’i island and the State of Hawai`i, a place the world knows as paradise by protecting us from the harmful effects of neonicotinoids. There is so much more to discuss as we move forward. We wish all of our endorsements the best of luck in the upcoming primary elections, and hope that they will continue to be active supporters of environmental health and the precautionary principle no matter what happens on August 9, 2014.

There are some districts left out; in those cases the race is incumbent-only, or none of the candidates running in that district earned our endorsement. In a few instances the candidates were reviewed by a sister organization, and our endorsement is based on their recommendation.

HAWAI`I ISLAND COUNTY COUNCIL
District 1 - POINDEXTER, Valerie
District 2 - MARKS, Kerri
District 3 - No Endorsement
District 4 - LOZANO, Roy
District 5 - PUEO, Frannie
District 6 - ABBETT, Richard
District 7 - No Endorsement
District 8 - EOFF, Karen
District 9 - WILLE, Margaret

STATE
Governor - No Endorsement
Lt. Governor - PULETASI, Sam or SHIRATORI, Miles

SENATE - HAWAI`I ISLAND
D1 - KA'EHU'AE'A, Wendell (Hilo)
D4 - INOUYE, Lorraine Rodero
(Hilo, Hamakua, Kohala, Waimea, Waikoloa, Kona)

HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE - HAWAI`I ISLAND
D2 - MIRANDA, Edwin L.P.
(Keaukaha, parts of Hilo, Panaʻewa, Waiakea)
D4 - BRONSON-CRELLY, Leilani
(Puna)
D5 - CREAGAN, Richard P.
(Na'alehu, Ocean View, Captain Cook, Kailua-Kona)
D6 - LOWEN, Nicole
(North Kona, Holualoa, Kalaoa, Honokōhau)

FEDERAL
U.S. State Senator (1) - SCHATZ, Brian
U.S. Representative District 2 - GABBARD, Tulsi

OHA - AT-LARGE
WONG-KALU, Hina
MAKEKAU, Keli’i
DE SOTO-MCCOLLOUGH, Laura

*O'AHU - K. SHIGEMASA, K.
*MAUI - LINDSEY, Hu

Mahalo for voting!
~the team at GMO Free Hawai`i Island

The Risks of Genetically Engineered Foods & Pesticides by Dr. Lorrin Pang

Speaking as an private citizen, Dr. Lorrin Pang has been connected to the issue of Genetic Engineering for the last 12 years and will be in Hilo to share his experience and his knowledge with us on April 19, 2014 and then again on May 24, 2014. 

Dr. Lorrin Pang has been invited to speak on the risks of Genetically Engineered Food & Pesticides through out the Hawaiian Islands, New Mexico, Thailand, and Brazil and has been featured in several movies about GMOs in Hawaii; including "Islands at Risk" and "Round Up Ready Nation".  Dr. Lorrin Pang is currently employed as the Chief Health Officer for the Maui Department of Health and is a medical consultant for the World Health Organization. He is a resident of Maui, and has a home on Hawaii Island, he is very knowledgeable about the science and medical perspectives surround GMOs, in Hawaii and nationally. We are extremely excited to welcome him to speak in Hilo, Hawaii. 

Online Biography: http://www.zoominfo.com/p/Lorrin-Pang/1197970549

Previously recorded presentations: 
Short Version (32:26): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96THFy-gbNo
Full Version (135:58):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCGIf0GSwX8&feature=youtu.be

REFERENCES MENTIONED IN VIDEO:
[control or right-click links to download]
* http://PiALOGUE.info/books/Safety-of-...
* http://PiALOGUE.info/books/FDA-Scienc...
* http://AAEMonline.org/gmopost.html American Academy of Environmental Medicine

Hawai`i State Bills We Are Watching in 2014

Thousands of bills will come before the legislature this session. As they are received by each committee they will be prioritized and placed on the schedule as time permits. Here is a live list of the bills we will be watching this legislative session. We will update this page as hearing notices become available. In addition to watching these bills it will be important to pay attention to "language", as language from one bill, could easily be slipped into another bill in any of the committee hearings and could change the integrity of the initial bill.

When looking at a bill take note of how many committees it is assigned to and which legislatures signed and co-sponsored the bill. Bills need to be heard by all committees before cross over to remain viable. 

Last updated 2/9/2014 at  6:36 PM

ACTION NEEDED - SUBMIT TESTIMONY
SUPPORT	OPPOSE
HB 1864 RELATING TO THE HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. Repeals the Hawaii Community Development Authority. Hearing: SAT. Feb 08, 2014 8:30 am Rm 325 HB 2431 RELATION TO THE LITTLE FIRE ANT Appropriates funds to the Hawaii invasive species council for the creation of a statewide public awareness campaign on the little fire ant. Hearing: Mon, Feb 10, 2014 10:00 Am Rm 312 HB 2469 RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES Establishes and appropriates funds for a little fire ant pilot project to research solutions for addressing the little fire ant threat in Hawaii. Hearing: Mon, Feb 10, 2014 10:00 Am Rm 312 SB2175 RELATING TO INDUSTRIAL HEMP. Authorizes the growing of industrial hemp for certain purposes under specified conditions. Support. No Hearing Scheduled. Hearing: Tues. Feb 11, 2013 2:20 pm Rm 229 SB 2388 RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LAND. Prohibits the creation of a condominium property regime on agricultural land 25 acres or greater. Prohibits the subdivision of agricultural land 25 acres or greater for the purpose of creating a condominium property regime. Hearing: Tues. Feb 11, 2013 3:00 pm Rm 229 SB 2390 RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LAND.  Agricultural Land; IAL; Disposition; Reclassification; Determination. Requires, prior to the disposition of agricultural land 25 acres or greater to certain governments or government agencies, an accounting of the number of contiguous agricultural land parcels 25 acres or greater that are on the same island and meet one or more criteria for lands eligible for IAL designation. Requires the identification and consideration of the inventory of large parcels of agricultural land prior to a land reclassification or district boundary amendment that reclassifies agricultural land 25 acres or greater to another state land use classification. Hearing: Tues. Feb 11, 2013 3:00 pm Rm 229 SB 2241 RELATING TO THE PROTECTION OF TARO. Includes taro lands and taro-growing structures as special agricultural lands to be protected from development. Hearing: Tues. Feb 11 2014, 2:55 pm rm 229 SB 2407 RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LANDS. Prohibits district boundary amendments of taro lands. Amends public land classifications to add taro lands for wetland cultivation as a fourth class of intensive agricultural use lands. Defines taro lands. Requires retention of supporting structures associated with taro fields. Adds growth and perpetuation of traditional Hawaiian crops to agricultural state planning objectives. Hearing: Tues. Feb 11 2014, 2:55 pm rm 229 SB 2521 RELATING TO LABELING. Requires labeling of foods that have been genetically engineered. Provides a penalty for violations and authorizes private civil enforcement of the Act. Hearing: Mon. Feb 10, 2014 1:45 pm Rm 229	OPPOSE SB 111 - "proposed SD1" This appears to give complete labeling authority to the Board of Agriculture and thus pass of GMO labeling to them. That means NO GMO Labeling. It's in SB111. This bill could also have dramatic changes ahead for Macnuts and Coffee Labeling. Hearing: Mon, Feb 10, 2014 2:00 pm Rm 016 SB 2663 RELATING TO NATURAL RESOURCES. BLNR; Mineral Resources; Geothermal Resources. Requires all penalties, fees, and costs established and collected by the DLNR pursuant to chapter 182, HRS, to be deposited in the special land and development fund. Includes geothermal resources within the definition of a renewable energy producer. Clarifies the permitting procedures for regulators and renewable energy developers considering geothermal development. Requires the use of an area or site within the conservation district for geothermal resources development to be governed by the BLNR. Authorizes certain county authorities to issue geothermal resource permits to allow geothermal resources development in an agricultural, rural, or urban district even if the development is not considered a permissible use under the applicable county zoning ordinances or general plan. Redefines "mining lease" to include lease of the right to conduct mining operations on reserved lands. Reserves all minerals in, on, or under reserved lands to the State. Requires persons wishing to conduct geothermal resources exploration on reserved lands to apply to BLNR for exploration permits. Increases maximum amount of fees for violations of chapter 182, HRS, or any rules adopted pursuant thereto. Authorizes BLNR or its authorized representative to set, charge, and collect administrative fines or bring legal action to recover damages arising from violations of chapter 182, HRS. HEARING: Wed, Feb 12, 2014 1:15pm Rm 225
WAITING FOR A HEARING TO BE SCHEDULED
SUPPORT	OPPOSE
SB110 - RELATING TO AGRICULTURE. Short form bill. 2/3/2014  (S)  The committee(s) on AGL will hold a public decision making on 02-04-14 2:46PM in conference room 229. Vote: Yes; Slom, Nishihara, & Dela Cruz, No; English, Theilen, Kouchi - SB110 is Dead and it's possible that bill SB3058 is also dead. This last minute attempt to save it didn't work out. In a sneaky move, SB3058 might be heard as SB110. SB468 RELATING TO FOOD LABELING.   Support.  Establishes, beginning January 1, 2014, labeling requirements for any food or raw agricultural commodity sold in the State that contains a genetically engineered material, or was produced with a genetically engineered material; establishes exceptions; establishes violations; requires director of health to adopt rules.  Passed 1st Reading.  Carried over to 2014 Regular Session. No Hearing Scheduled. SB615 RELATING TO LABELING.   Support. Prohibits the sale or distribution of genetically engineered whole food in the State beginning 7/1/2014 unless appropriately labeled as genetically engineered or produced or partially produced with genetic engineering.   Passed 1st Reading. Carried over to 2014 Regular Session. No Hearing Scheduled.  SB648 RELATING TO HEALTH.    Support.  Prohibits the sale, distribution, transfer, and use of pesticides containing glyphosate for cosmetic application. Exempts agricultural uses of glyphosate and uses related to the preservation and promotion of public health and safety.  Passed 1st Reading.  Carried over to 2014 Regular Session.  No Hearing Scheduled. **SB649 RELATING TO HEALTH.  Strongly support / Prohibits the sale, transfer, distribution, and use of any product containing any amount of glyphosate within the State. No Hearing Scheduled.    SB934 RELATING TO HEALTH. Support / Beginning 7/1/14, requires genetically engineered food products that are sold, offered for sale, or distributed in this State to be labeled as such, with certain exceptions. Defines "genetically engineered food product." Establishes penalties for violations. No Hearing Scheduled . We need to promote  SB1290 RELATING TO LABELING OF GENETICALLY ENGINEERED WHOLE FOOD. Support / this labeling bill has best chance: most signers / Requires labeling of certain genetically engineered food products. No hearing scheduled yet- we need to promote it unless there is a better labeling bill.   SB1329 RELATING TO LABELING.  Support /  Labeling of Genetically Engineered Whole Foods; Private Civil Enforcement; No Hearing Scheduled. SB2037 RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.  We cautiously support due to the introducer ; farmer mentor program. The committee(s) on AGL deferred the measure. Please submit testimony in support, as long as the bill maintains current or similar language. SB2110 RELATING TO THE REGULATION OF PESTICIDES.   We support ? HB6110  Adds 3 more pesticide regulators 2/4/2014 (S)    Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.    **SB2140 RELATING TO HEALTH. Support.  Establishes moratorium on the sale, transfer, distribution, and use of glyphosate until July 1, 2019. Creates a working group to study the health and safety effects of glyphosate. Applies to sll uses EXCEPT agriculture. No Hearing Scheduled.  **SB2176 RELATING TO LABELING. Support. Requires labeling of foods that have been genetically engineered. Provides a penalty for violations and authorizes private civil enforcement of the Act. No hearing scheduled.  **SB2177 PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE IX OF THE HAWAII CONSTITUTION TO REQUIRE FOOD MADE FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION THAT IS PRODUCED WITH GENETIC ENGINEERING TO BE LABELED AS SUCH. Support (?). No Hearing scheduled. SB 2274 RELATING TO SUSTAINABLE LIVING. Establishes a permit that excepts sustainable living research and sites from certain county codes, ordinances, and rules. SB2736  RELATING TO FOOD LABELING. Support. Genetically Engineered Material; Labeling Requirements  Establishes, beginning January 1, 2015, labeling requirements for any food or raw agricultural commodity sold in the State that contains a genetically engineered material, or was produced with a genetically engineered material; establishes exceptions; establishes violations; requires director of health to adopt rules. 1/31/2014 (S) Report adopted; Passed Second Reading and referred to CPN/AGL/WAM  ______________________________ **HB174 RELATING TO FOOD LABELING.   Support.  Imposes labeling requirements and import restrictions on imported genetically engineered produce. Authorizes labeling of non-genetically engineered food and creates a private right of action to enjoin violations. Passed 1st reading.  Carried over to 2014 Regular Session.  No Hearing Scheduled. HB348 RELATING TO HEALTH.    Support.  Beginning 7/1/14, requires genetically engineered food products that are sold, offered for sale, or distributed in this State to be labeled as such, with certain exceptions. Defines "genetically engineered food product." Establishes penalties for violations.  Passed 1st Reading.  Carried over to 2014 Regular Session.  No Hearing Scheduled. HB627 RELATING TO FOOD.    Support.  Allows food offered for retail sale to have displayed on the food a label stating "not genetically engineered" or "does not include a genetically engineered ingredient" if the statement is true. Passed 1st Reading.  Carried over to 2014 Regular Session. No Hearing Scheduled.  HB631 RELATING TO FOOD.    Support. Authorizes display on qualified food offered for retail sale a label stating "not genetically engineered" or "does not include a genetically engineered ingredient" if the statement is true. Makes an untrue statement a violation. Allows any person or public agency to seek an injunction to prevent or terminate a violation. Passed 1st Reading.  Carried over to 2014 Regular Session. No Hearing Scheduled. HB733 RELATING TO LABELING OF GENETICALLY ENGINEERED WHOLE FOOD.  Support.  Requires labeling of certain genetically engineered food products.  Passed 1st Reading.  Carried over to 2014 Regular Session  No Hearing Scheduled. **HB735 RELATING TO TARO SECURITY.    Strongly Support.  Prohibits the development, testing, propagation, release, importation, planting, or growing of genetically engineered Hawaiian taro in the State. Establishes limited prohibitions on the engineering, testing, and cultivation of non-Hawaiian taro in the State. Effective July 1, 2013, and repeals on June 30, 2018.  Passed 1st Reading.  Carried over to 2014 Regular Session.  No Hearing Scheduled. **HB1386 RELATING TO PESTICIDES.    Strongly Support.  Establishes a commercial pesticide-free buffer zone around schools, child care facilities, and health care institutions. Imposes a 72 hour notice requirement in at least two newspapers or publications and to all schools, child care facilities, and health care institutions in the immediate area of commercial pesticide spraying.  Passed 1st Reading.  Carried over to 2014 Regular Session.  No Hearing Scheduled. **HB1533 RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.   Support.  Prioritizes and promotes the production of nutritious agricultural produce for human consumption, excluding seed. Effective January 1, 2015.  Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on WAL with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Yamane excused (1).  HB1611 RELATING TO THE REGULATION OF PESTICIDES.   Support.  Appropriates funds for pesticide regulation.  Passed 1st Reading - he committee(s) on AGR recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.   **HB1661 RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.    Support.  Requires the Director of Health to contract for a study on the health effects on Molokai residents due to the condition of the soil resulting from the plantation agriculture industry. Effective July 1, 2014.  Passed 1st Reading.  No Hearing Scheduled.  HB2177 RELATING TO COMMUNITY FOOD FORESTS. Establishes a community food forest program in the Department of Land and Natural Resources that shall work collaboratively with local government and community organizations to provide sources of healthy food statewide. Appropriate funds. Effective July 1, 2014. Please submit testimony in support. HB2468 RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL FACILITIES. Authorizes DBEDT, in collaboration with DOA, to perform studies and analysis relating to establishing facilities on the Island of Hawaii for quarantine inspection and treatment and handling incoming and outgoing commodities. Appropriation. Effective July 1, 2014.	HB2506 RELATING TO AGRICULTURE. Do not Support / Amends Hawaii's Right to Farm Act to ensure that counties cannot enact laws, ordinances, or resolutions to limit the rights of farmers and ranchers to engage in modern farming and ranching practices.No hearing scheduled as of yet. SB590 RELATING TO AGRICULTURE  ???? This one is weird, it looks like preemption yet Ruderman is a signer  Clarifies the State's policy to promote and foster an atmosphere of acceptance for agricultural practices. Guarantees the rights of farmers and ranchers to engage in farming and ranching practices. Passed 1st Reading.  Carried over to Regular Session.  No Hearing Scheduled.  SB727 RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. Is it dead yet? This is the preemption bill carried over from last session. Do not support. No hearing scheduled yet  SB2454 RELATING TO AGRICULTURE. Do not support / Establishes a task force to determine whether a state-established regulatory regime should be established to address agricultural use of genetically modified organisms.  Please submit testimony opposing.

** Bills that we strongly support.

Hawai`i State House & Senate Leadership and Members

An eight page pdf document is available form the Hawaii.Gov website, which can be downloaded and printed for your convenience. The guide includes contact information for leadership and members for the House and Senate.

DOWNLOAD PDF:
http://capitol.hawaii.gov/session2011/docs/citizensguide/HouseandSenateDirectories.pdf

Mahalo for your continued support and action.

GMO-Free Hawaii Island GMOFreeHawaiiIsland.org 

Visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GMOFreeHawaiiIsland 

Email: GMOFreeHawaiiIsland@gmail.com

Hawai`i Island State House Representatives and Senators

Representative
Creagan, Richard (D)
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 317
Phone 808-586-9605
Fax 808-586-9608
E-Mail: repcreagan@capitol.hawaii.gov
H District 5
Na'alehu, Ocean View, Capt. Cook, Kealakekua, Kailua-Kona


Representative
Evans, Cindy (D)
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 425
Phone 808-586-8510
Fax
E-Mail: repevans@capitol.hawaii.gov
H District 7
North Kona, North Kohala, South Kohala


Representative
Hanohano , Faye P. (D)
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 418
Phone 808-586-6530
Fax 808-586-6531
E-Mail: rephanohano@capitol.hawaii.gov
H District 4
Puna


Representative
Lowen, Nicole E. (D)
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 328
Phone 808-586-8400
Fax
E-Mail: replowen@capitol.hawaii.gov
H District 6
Kailua-Kona, Holualoa, Kalaoa, Honokohau


Representative
Nakashima , Mark M. (D)
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 406
Phone 808-586-6680
Fax
E-Mail: repnakashima@capitol.hawaii.gov
H District 1
Hamakua, North Hilo, South Hilo


Representative
Onishi , Richard H.K. (D)
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 313
Phone 808-586-6120
Fax 808-586-6121
E-Mail: reponishi@capitol.hawaii.gov
H District 3
Hilo, Keaau, Kurtistown, Volcano


Representative
Tsuji , Clift (D)
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 402
Phone 808-586-8480
Fax 808-586-8484
E-Mail: reptsuji@capitol.hawaii.gov
H District 2
Keaukaha, parts of Hilo, Panaewa, Waiakea

  

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Senator
Green, Josh (D)
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 215
Phone 808-586-9385
Fax 808-586-9391
E-Mail:sengreen@capitol.hawaii.gov
S District 3
Kona, Ka‘u


Senator
Kahele, Gilbert (D)
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 213
Phone 808-586-6760
Fax 808-586-6689
E-Mail: senkahele@capitol.hawaii.gov
S District 1
Hilo


Senator
Ruderman, Russell E. (D)
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 217
Phone 808-586-6890
Fax 808-586-6899
E-Mail: senruderman@capitol.hawaii.gov
S District 2
Puna, Ka‘u


Senator
Solomon, Malama (D)
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 210
Phone 808-586-7335
Fax 808-586-7339
E-Mail: sensolomon@capitol.hawaii.gov
S District 4
Hilo, Hamakua, Kohala, Waimea, Waikoloa, Kona


Mahalo for your continued support and action.

GMO-Free Hawaii Island GMOFreeHawaiiIsland.org 

Visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GMOFreeHawaiiIsland 

Email: GMOFreeHawaiiIsland@gmail.com

Office of Mayor Billy Kenoi

Hilo: Hawai’i County Building
25 Aupuni St., Hilo, Hawai’i 96720
Tel: (808) 961-8211
Fax: (808) 961-6553
TDD: (808) 961-8521

Kona: West Hawai’i Civic Center
74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Hwy., Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i 96740
Tel: (808) 323-4444
Fax: (808) 323-4440
TDD: (808) 327-6003

Email: cohmayor@co.hawaii.hi.us
Facebook: MayorKenoi
Twitter: @MayorKenoi

Official County Page: http://hawaiicountymayor.com/about-the-office-of-the-mayor/ 

Mahalo for your continued support and action.

GMO-Free Hawaii Island GMOFreeHawaiiIsland.org 

Visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GMOFreeHawaiiIsland 

Email: GMOFreeHawaiiIsland@gmail.com

Hawaii County Council Contacts

District 1 - Valerie Poindexter 

(808) 961-8018
Fax: (808) 961-8912
Email: vpoindexter@co.hawaii.hi.us

District 2 - J Yoshimoto 

(808) 961-8272 

Fax: (808) 961-8912 

Email: jyoshimoto@co.hawaii.hi.us

District 3 - Dennis “Fresh” Onishi 

(808) 961-8396 

Fax: (808) 961-8912 

Email: donishi@co.hawaii.hi.us

District 4 - Greggor Ilagan 

 (808) 965-2712 

Fax: (808) 965-2707 

Email: gilagan@co.hawaii.hi.us

District 5 - Zendo Kern 

(808) 961-8263
Fax: (808) 961-8912 

Email: zkern@co.hawaii.hi.us

District 6 Brenda Ford 

(808) 323-4277 

Fax: (808) 329-4786 

Email: bford@co.hawaii.hi.us

District 7 - Dru Mamo Kanuha 

(808) 323-4267
Fax: (808) 329-4786 

Email: dkanuha@co.hawaii.hi.us

District 8 - Karen Eoff 

(808) 323-4280 

Fax: (808) 329-4786 

Email: keoff@co.hawaii.hi.us

District 9 - Margaret Wille 

(808) 887-2069
Fax: (808) 887-2072 

Email: mwille@co.hawaii.hi.us

Mahalo for your continued support and action.

GMO-Free Hawaii Island GMOFreeHawaiiIsland.org 

Visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GMOFreeHawaiiIsland 

Email: GMOFreeHawaiiIsland@gmail.com

Response to Amy Harmon’s Story in the New York Times: Sunday January 5, 2014

“A Lonely Quest for Facts on Genetically Modified Crops”

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/05/us/on-hawaii-a-lonely-quest-for-facts-about-gmos.html?pagewanted=1&src=mb&_r=0

Amy… you spent 7 days on Hawai’i Island and you didn’t get it.  You portrayed us as emotional and reactionary. Our concerns about the consequences of GE crops in our home communities were portrayed as emotional, uneducated and unable to fully comprehend the scientific facts of genetically engineered crops.   Your story implied that we were insensitive to the difficulties facing our papaya farmers, which is inaccurate. We understand fully how hard it is to grow papaya in a tropical environment with little or no soil. We have respect for Councilman Ilagan, but your narrow focus on only his perspective, when you had talked and heard from so many other informed farmers, educators and individuals, gave an intentionally narrow and inaccurate focus on what Bill 113 was truly about and the reasons why Hawai’i Councilwoman Willie felt the need to introduce it.

Hawaii is ground zero for the world for development and testing of experimental GE field trials by most large biotech companies.  It is important to keep in mind that Hawai‘i is the most isolated landmass in in the world. It has an inherently fragile ecosystem and our island communities depend on the ability to continue to grow food, have access to safe and clean water and maintain a healthy reef system and environment for future generations.

The Hawai‘i Revised Statutes, Section 46-1.5(13) states that, “Each County shall have the power to enact ordinances necessary to protect health, life and property.” The Hawai ‘i State Constitution, Article XI Section 9, states,  “Each person has the right to clean and healthful environment.”  It is therefore the responsibility of our County Council to protect the long-term health of the people and the land. This is an important responsibility, as we know that APHIS, USDA, EPA and FDA cannot protect us from the biotech companies that are growing here. We recently learned, with the passing of Kauai’s Bill 2491, that there are no state mandated pesticide free buffer zones around our most sensitive areas; schools, hospitals and parks.  Nor are there any requirements to disclose chemicals used, including restricted-use and permit only chemicals. The Kauai Bill 2491 written by Councilman Gary Hooser and passed creates restrictions, buffer zones, and accountability for the biotech companies.

For the past decades, the soils, ground water and health of Hawaii’s lands and communities have been negatively impacted through industrial-style farming and related contamination of the soils by the pineapple and sugarcane industries. Still persistent today in many of our old sugar cane lands are toxic, health-threatening contaminants such as arsenic, dioxin, atrazine, and in some cases mercury.  Our State Public Health officials have been concerned with residual levels of DBCP, EDB (soil fumigants used by the pineapple industry), and TCP, found in wells and the ground waters on Oahu, Maui, and Kauai. Councilwoman Willies’ Bill 113 on Hawai’i Island was designed to take a pro-active stance to protect our land, water, local communities and the people of Hawai‘i island until more is known and understood about the environmental and health consequences of GE crops and their related chemical use.  

We were hoping Amy, that you would be objective enough to see us for who we really are, we treated you with respect, we took you in, we introduced you to everyone you needed to talk to and what we get in return was a biased and distorted story that does not reflect the depth of the true situation Hawai‘i is facing.

We invite you to come back and visit us again, spend more time here and get to know us in a deeper way, without an agenda.  It is important to understand the struggle we are having at this moment in time to protect our future and report it objectively, and understand the importance of self-reliance in this uniquely, sensitive and isolated location.  As caring citizens, we must be pro-active, heartfelt, watchful and fearlessly outspoken to do what we can to avoid any further impacts from GE industrial agriculture.

GMO Free Hawai‘i Island

As an Addendum:

Our Mayor, Billie Kenoi signed bill 113 on December 5, 2013. He states in his press release after signing this bill; “Our community has a deep connection and respect for our land, and we all understand we must protect our island and preserve our precious natural resources. We are determined to do what is right for the land because this place is unlike any other in the world.  With this new ordinance we are conveying that instead of global agribusiness corporations, we want to encourage and support community-based farming and ranching.” He also stated; “Today our communities expect that government will be cautious as possible in protecting our food and water supplies.  We all want to minimize impacts to the environment while also producing abundant, affordable food for local consumption.  This ordinance expresses the desires and demands of our community for a safe, sustainable agricultural sector that con help feed our people while keeping our precious island productive and healthy”.