GMO Kalo protest Friday

Update on the GMO Kalo moratorium bill, protest...

From: Chris Kobayashi [mailto:waioli2(at)hawaiiantel.net]
Sent: Sunday, March 25, 2007 4:30 PM

Subject: Friday, March 30, 10 am at the state capitol
Importance: High

Hui Kalo,
If I am missing anyone, please spread the word far and wide.

We have been at the capitol since January, nearly week after week, fighting to see that Senate Bill, SB 958 (and HB 704 which died) passes each of its committees. The bill provides a 10 year moratorium on the research, development, cultivating and growing of GMO taro (all varieties) in Hawaii. Now we are at the last committee, the House Agriculture committee led by Rep Clift Tsuji, Chair (586-8480, rm 403) and Tom Brower, Vice Chair (586-8520, rm 310).
Other representatives on that committee are: Lyla Berg (586-6510, Rm 324), Jerry Chang (586-6120, rm 435), Faye Hanohano (586-6530, rm 303), Robert Herkes (586-8400, rm 320), Joey Manahan (586-6010, rm 421), Glenn Wakai (586-6220, rm 316), Ryan Yamane (586-6150, rm 419), Kyle Yamashita (586-6330, rm 402), Corinne Ching (586-9415, rm 330), Colleen Meyer (586-8540, rm 333)

At this point, Tsuji has not scheduled our bill to be heard. (The last day for bills to be heard is April 5, I think). Jerry Konanui and I last met with him on Mar 16. At that meeting he indicated that what would work for him is a compromise of allowing the current research on the non-Hawaiian variety to continue. That is no compromise. That would not change anything. We told him that if they continue to research they need to have protocol and a guaranteed "safety net" in place which of course, they don't have and cannot guarantee. In a previous meeting with him in February, he said how sensitive he was to Hawaiian issues.

Now, it appears, it is not a Hawaiian issue to him, but that of science and allowing research to go forward. Biotech and others are working on him. The other person who is probably key to getting the bill heard is Speaker of the House Calvin Say (586-6100, rm 431).

If any of you know any of these reps or have the time to call all of them, please do. Tell them to hear the bill and to listen to what we are all saying.

To demonstrate our point, Walter is calling all of us to meet at the state capitol this coming Friday, March 30 at 10:00 am. Bring your signs, passion and mana`o. This seems to be the only option in getting public awareness out as our letters and viewpoints have not been printed by the newspapers.

Whoever is able, please come. Bring the kids, too. Because this is why we are fighting for this bill.

The genetic modification and contamination of 1 variety is only the beginning of contaminating all the varieties that we grow.

On my part, I wish I could, but will not be able to be there physically.

Mahalo and Blessings to everyone on this journey.

Chris

Posted: Mon - March 26, 2007 at 09:18 AM

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GMO Kalo protest Friday

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