By ILIMA LOOMIS, Staff Writer, March 14, 2008
WAILUKU — A resolution urging a hold on research involving genetic modification of taro was advanced Wednesday by the County Council Public Works and Facilities Committee.
The resolution supports a bill pending before the state Legislature that would put a 10-year moratorium on developing, testing and growing genetically modified taro plants. Supporters in the audience, many of them taro farmers from East Maui, applauded as the committee voted to recommend the resolution with a 5-0 vote.
“It is time for us to put the brakes on,” said Council Member Mike Victorino, co-chairman of the Public Works Committee.
The moratorium proposal, Senate Bill 958, was approved by the Senate and is pending in the House Agriculture Committee, which has scheduled a hearing at 9 a.m. Wednesday in the State Capitol auditorium.
At the council committee session, taro farmer Steve Hookano said a lack of flowing water and other environmental challenges were the causes of disease and parasites affecting crops.
“It’s not the taro’s fault,” he said.
Waving a petition supporting the ban signed by other East Maui residents, he feared experimentation could threaten the genetic diversity of the plant.
“We don’t know the risks and the benefits,” he said.
“We’re living in Hawaii — not a science lab,” said...
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