Taro & Ti Pono

In a move that was not unexpected, the mayor of the Big Island, Harry Kim, vetoed the bill that would make GMO kalo and coffee illegal to possess on the Big Island. The question I have is this - regardless of your own personal feelings, how can you justify vetoing a bill that your entire council unanimously approved, and that was overwhelmingly supported via testamony by those who you serve? In democracy, isn’t the constituency to be listened to, rather than the big money of GMO companies? If you think GMO’s are the answer to world hunger and disease problems, you have been spending too much time reading the GMO’s fancy and glossy brochures and spending too little time listening to those who are actually growing. The coffee farmers there don’t want it. The kalo farmers there don’t want it. But you would listen only to those who would become today’s Sanford Dole that would selfishly put you directly against those who voted you into office?

http://www.starbulletin.com/news/20081031_Kim_vetoes_ban_on_gene-modified_taro_coffee.html

A friend asked these questions on a discussion list I run in response so my last article:

• Are there things you and I and other small farmers can actually do better?
• Should we transport taro around as much? Where are the diseases hitting?
• Are there places a taro farmer dare not go or bring taro in from?
• Can we learn more about what kalo needs and take better care of it, and not let it rot and breed disease?

Another friend was kind enough to stress that another source of diseases in kalo has a lot to do with what is poured into their environment - a witches brew of herbicides and pesticides, 16-16-16 fertilizers and whatnot.

So, what’s the solution?

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I was watching a video featuring Jerry Konanui and something he mentioned sparked a thought. He was telling us about the different varieties of kalo and how they were matched to their environments. Some prefer cooler highlands, others the steamy lowlands, some wetland culture, others upland culture and soforth. The kahuna of old would build his kalo patch and plant the kalo that was best matched to the region.

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A friend just sent me this link: http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_7732/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=TWkdPeeX about the 9-0 vote to ban GMO coffee and kalo by the Hawaii County Counsel - yet another step in the right direction to taking back control of our food and the Hawaiian heritage from those who seek to own, corrupt and monopolize it. It’s a veto-proof vote, but it only applies to the Big Island. Let’s hope that the other islands follow suit and this goes all the way up to state legislation. I’ll add to this as I get more information.

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The bill introduced to ban GMO kalo and coffee is getting closer to final approval. After the Council approved the Bill back in September, one more vote is required before it goes before the mayor for signing. This bill is a crucial step in the war against GMO’s. It will prevent people from bringing in and growing GMO coffee and taro in the county of Hawaii.

http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/articles/2008/10/07/local/local04.txt

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The fight continues to keep GMO coffee and kalo out of Hawaii. The latest bill was put forth by the Hawaii County Council’s Environmental Management Committee, submitted by Vice Chairman Angel Pilago, who represents North Kona. This particular bill calls for criminal prosecution against anyone who brings or possesses or grows GMO taro and coffee on the Island - specifically the county of Hawaii.

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