The Ledge: GMO Taro

In this episode of "The Ledge" you will hear a plea to lawmakers from a kanaka maoli to protect the Hawaiian taro.

The issue of genetically modified taro comes up again this legislative session. Three bills that you should keep an eye on include:

HB1663, which proposes to prohibit any kind of testing, development, importation or planting of genetically modified taro in Hawaii. This bill was introduced by the Hawaiian Legislative Caucus, chaired by Rep. Mele Carroll.

SB709, which places a moratorium on genetically modifying any Hawaiian taro in Hawaii and testing, planting, or growing any Hawaiian taro within the State that has been genetically modified outside the State. This bill was introduced by Senator Kalani English.

HB904, which appropriates funds for the taro security and purity task force to guide policy and prioritize research for the protection of taro in Hawaii. This bill was introduced by Rep. Calvin Say by request. It is part of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs' legislative package.

None of these bills have yet to be scheduled for a hearing.

Hawaii County Considers Ban on GMO Taro and Coffee

We're watching to see what the Hawaii County Council does this week with a bill proposing to ban genetically modified taro and coffee on the Big Island. Here's the link to the latest draft of Bill 361.

The Hawaii Tribune-Herald opposes the bill in Sunday's editorial.

The bill passed unanimously in the Environmental Management Committee in early September. According to this article in the Hawaii Tribune-Herald on the committee's action, if the bill becomes county law, and if the legislature next session passed a bill to allow GMO taro and coffee, the state law would trump the county law.

South Kona Councilmember Brenda Ford was quoted as saying,"We all know if this goes to the state legislature, they're not going to do anything as a body."

The bill went to the full Council on September 24th, where it passed second reading by a vote of 6-3. Councilmembers Pilago (introducer), Ford, Jacobson, Hoffmann, Yagong, Naeole voted for, and councilmembers Higa, Ikeda and Yoshimoto voted against.

Should the bill become Hawaii County law, what will the other neighbor island councils do?

No 5-year moratorium on taro

The Honolulu Star-Bulletin yesterday carried an op-ed by Don Blakeley, a retired professor of philosophy on the "Many meanings of taro", which inaccurately stated that a 5-year moratorium on genetically modified taro began on July 1. For the record, there is no 5-year moratorium. The bill, SB958 was recommitted back to the Committee on Agriculture where it died.

It's official

Hawaii now has an official state plant, effective on July 1, 2008. Kalo (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott), the Hawaiian word for taro, is adopted, established, and designated as the official plant of the State. As you may recall, the legislation was passed and adopted last year as Act 36, but with a defective date. This year, Act 71 corrects the date.

We also have an official state mammal, the Hawaiian monk seal, through Act 72. The Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi) is the only marine mammal whose entire species range lies within the United States.

Agriculture Committee passes GMO Taro bill with amendments

Rep. Clift Tsuji, Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, announced today the committee passed out SB958, in an amended form, to include a five-year moratorium on genetically modifying any Hawaiian taro within the state. The moratorium does not include non-Hawaiian varieties of taro.

In his opening statement to the committee, Rep. Tsuji emphasized that the bill does not prohibit or discourage the research, testing and planting of genetically modified non-Hawaiian taro. Further, the bill does not prohibit or discourage the genetic modification of any plant organism other than Hawaiian taro.

"The day-long hearing on this bill was very informative, and I think our members were appreciative of the thoughtful and well-researched points from testifiers on both sides," said Rep. Tsuji. "As a result of that day, we worked very hard to reach a fair compromise, and one that is respectful of both the Hawaiian culture and scientific research."

The measure passed the committee with a vote of seven (7) ayes, two (2) ayes with reservations, and three (3) noes. The ayes were: Brower, Chang, Herkes, Manahan, Tsuji, Yamane, Yamashita. The WR's were: Ching, Wakai. The noes were: Berg, Hanohano, Meyer.

The effective date of the bill is July 1, 2008. The bill now goes to the entire House for a floor vote. If passed by the House, the bill goes back to the Senate. If the Senate does not agree with the House amendments, the bill will head to a conference committee.

Decision Making Scheduled on GMO Taro bill

WHAT: The House Committee on Agriculture will hold decision making to vote on SB958, SD1, HD1 Relating to Genetically Modified Organisms. The bill was heard on March 19th. The current draft imposes a 10-year moratorium on developing, testing, propagating, cultivating, growing and raising genetically engineered taro in the State of Hawaii. Click here to see the bill status and history.

WHEN: Thursday, April 3, 2008 - 11:00 a.m.

WHERE: State Capitol, Room 325

WHO: Rep. Clift Tsuji, Chair, Committee on Agriculture

Speak up on GMO Taro

As previously posted, the House will hold a hearing on SB958 which proposes a 10-year moratorium on genetically modified taro. Click here to read the hearing notice. If you care to testify, in person or in writing only, here's how to submit your testimony on this measure.

Please submit testimony at least 24 hours prior to the hearing, which starts at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 19th, State Capitol Auditorium. On your testimony, place your name, position, organization, the name of the Committee, the Room Number and time of the hearing, and the number of the Measure.

Remember that testimony is now posted online after the hearing, so you may want to consider this before placing personal information in your testimony.

Submit testimony in ONE of the following ways:

By PAPER: Send or drop off 1 original to Room 403 in the State Capitol.

By FAX: For comments less than 5 pages in length, you may fax to 586-8524 (Oahu) or 1-800-535-3859 (Neighbor Islands).

By EMAIL: For comments less than 5 pages in length.

For those who plan to testify in-person, email to: SB958InPersonTaro@Capitol.hawaii.gov.

For those who do NOT plan to testify in-person, but would like to insert written comments into the official record only, email to: SB958WrittenOnlyTaro@Capitol.hawaii.gov

GMO Taro Gets a Hearing

WHAT: The House Agriculture Committee will hear a bill proposing a moratorium on genetically modified taro. SB958,SD1,HD1 imposes a 10-year moratorium on developing, testing, propagating, cultivating, growing and raising genetically engineered taro in Hawaii.

WHEN: Wednesday, March 19, 2008- 9:00 a.m.

WHERE: State Capitol - Auditorium

WHO: Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture - Rep. Clift Tsuji

ISSUE: Native Hawaiians believe that taro, or kalo, is a revered ancestor of the Hawaiian people and should not be genetically altered. Researchers believe that in order to protect the taro from disease, we must modify its structure with resistant genes from other plants.

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.