Wednesday, August 15, 2007

GMO Taro Debate Continues

There are 5 House committees on the island of Kauai today and tomorrow. As soon as the Economic Development/Tourism and Culture/Agriculture committees landed, they were greeted at the Kauai County building by protesters sending a message aimed at Agriculture Chair, Rep. Clift Tsuji. Reminiscent of the demonstration (captured on YouTube) launched in April, they want Chair Tsuji and other House leaders to support the passage of a 10-year moratorium of genetically modified crops in Hawaii, including all varieties of taro. The group will tour taro farms tomorrow to learn more about the GMO issue and talk directly with working farmers. In the case of taro, there is also a cultural perspective to consider--taro is not only the state plant but of historic and cultural significance to native Hawaiians.

In addition to taro farms, the joint committees will visit the closed set of "Tropic Thunder" to discuss film industry tax credits, coqui frog infestation at Lawai, Hawaiian Mahogany biomass project, and Kilohana Plantation Railway as an example of agritourism.

The Health/Human Services and Housing committees are on Kauai to visit Wilcox Hospital and the Kauai County Housing Agency today, and Mahelona Hospital on Thursday as Mahelona celebrates its 90th Anniversary of service to the people of Kauai.

7 comments:

sandwich said...

While I sympathize with those who want to keep taro "pure," I can't really see the harm in doing research that might end up saving local taro if an agricultural blight were to occur. I have a feeling most of the taro farmers would agree.

Anonymous said...

I just want to say that these protesters do not speak for all native Hawaiians. I have a lot of respect for Mr. Tsuji and I was embarrassed by the way these people behaved at the capitol.

Anonymous said...

Well maybe the Kauai protesters were able to get his name right. Just watched that link to You tube and No wonder they didn't hear the bill, the idots were saying the wrong name. "Cliford Tsuji"...Come on if you're going to make a big fuss and embarrass yourself, you might as well do some research and get his name right!

Anonymous said...

I think the GMO taro debate is very critical to our agricultural future, and also to the health of our people. We really don't know how genetically modified crops are going to affect us or our children 20 years from now. Unfortunately, the protesters make themselves look foolish. I hope Rep. Tsuji will keep an open mind and not side with the the GMO supporters because of a few hotheads who just want to see themselves on TV.

Anonymous said...

We Dont know the effects of GMO and how it will affect us and more importrantly our children, grandchildren and their children!

We do know that the EU, Japan, and India will not buy GMO foods, perhaps for a good reason...

The "few hot heads" are obviously "fed up" with government that disregards the voices of the people!

Perehaps it is time for government to LISTEN!

Anonymous said...

It is so fortunate for Hawaii that we have some educated Representatives in government such as Rep. Tsuji. Most of the anti GMO proponents can make claims that it is bad but really have no true proof in what they are saying. If you ask these folks also what exactly is being modified to make it so dangerous for us, they can't tell you. Most of these folks can't even tell you what a gene is let alone what a chromosome is and how. Why should we allow the ignorant minority dominate our laws? No way!

Anonymous said...

Actually, its an ignorant majority. Those opposed to GMO research for taro have done their homework and if the previous poster also searched, he would find thousands of documents of evidence pointing out the inherent risks and growing instability of genetic engineering. To date, no tests have been conducted to assess the potential impacts of inserting wheat, rice and grapevine genes into taro - so its is easy to say "we know of no negative impacts". Taro is relied upon by hospitals to provide a source of hypoallergenic complex carbohydrates for children and adults with super sensitive allergies and digestive wasting diseases. I guess keeping these folks safe isn't a concern. And, as for taro diseases - fix the water, the soil and the diversity of the cultivars in the field, drop the populations of apple snails - then disease rates will drop and crop yields will rise. Any good taro farmer paying attention beyond the edges of the taro patch knows that.