Panel backs GMO taro ban

By ILIMA LOOMIS, Staff Writer
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 Kevin Namahoe-Carvalho.

He noted that taro had a cultural and religious significance to Hawaiians in addition to being a staple food.

“We just don’t see why anyone thinks they can make it better,” he said.

Opponents of the ban say there is no evidence genetically altered foods pose a risk to people. They also say genetic modification could help taro survive pests and diseases that have been threatening crops.

Council Member Danny Mateo, who holds the council’s Molokai seat, acknowledged his home island was “divided” over the issue. But ultimately he agreed there should be a “time out” on experiments with taro.

“It’s about the spirituality, it’s about the religion, it’s about the culture that’s being attacked,” he said.

SB 958 would prohibit research involving recombinant DNA technology and specifies that the moratorium would not prevent traditional methods of breeding and hybridization of taro.

The Maui County Council resolution in support of SB 958 is expected to go to the full council for a vote April 4.

• Ilima Loomis can be reached at iloomis@mauinews.com.