Resolution supports 10-year moratorium

A deeply rooted community debate over the future of a culturally important crop on Kaua‘i climaxed late Thursday night at the Historic County Building.

After hearing hours of heartfelt pleas and hopeful comments from farmers and scientists, keiki and kupuna, the County Council passed a resolution supporting a bill pending in the state Legislature that would place a 10-year moratorium on growing or developing genetically modified taro.

Councilmembers Mel Rapozo, Shaylene Iseri-Carvalho, Tim Bynum and Jay Furfaro cast votes in favor of the resolution; JoAnn Yukimura, Ron Kouchi and Bill “Kaipo” Asing against it. The split 4-3 vote reflected a torn community.

Supporters want taro, or kalo in Hawaiian, to remain pure. Generations of Native Hawaiians consider it disrespectful to even consider messing with the genetic make-up of the sacred plant.

Legend has it Kalo sprouted from Haloa, the stillborn child of Wakea, the sky father, and Ho‘ohokukalani, the star mother, to become the first taro plant thousands of years ago.

Kalo provides the kanaka maoli’s life-giving sustenance, poi, and is seen as the older brother of mankind, according to Senate Bill 958, which would impose the temporary ban on genetically modified taro.

Bynum, a first-term councilman, said he was pulled in by the cultural arguments.

“I’m a transplant here. I was embraced with aloha by a whole lot of people who live here,” he said yesterday. “They’re saying it’s sacred and are asking to honor the culture. That’s what wooed me. It was my toughest decision yet.”

While the vast majority of oral testimony pushed for the resolution’s passage, some residents argued that genetic engineering research could uncover ways to produce a disease-resistant plant — securing its future.

“All the taro farmers understand and are sensitive to the cultural significance of taro to the Hawaiian community and also have reservations about GMO taro,” Kaua‘i Taro Growers Association President Rodney Haraguchi said in his written testimony. “However, they are opposed to have a law passed for 10 years restricting research which may be necessary.”

Kaua‘i farmers produce roughly 75 percent of the state’s taro, Bynum said.

The crop comprises less than 1 percent of all agricultural lands in cultivation in Hawai‘i, according to state legislation.

The public hearing spanned some nine hours with the final roll call vote around 11:30 p.m., Bynum said. The council had to wade through this testimony in addition to input from another public hearing two weeks ago and a steady stream of written remarks.

Yukimura released a written statement yesterday explaining why she voted against the resolution.

“I do not believe it is pono to pass a law instituting a 10-year moratorium without taking the time to understand the objections, reservations and concerns of those who produce the majority of the taro in the state — most of whom are Kaua‘i farmers, our neighbors and friends who for generations have been keeping poi on all of our tables,” she says. “This doesn’t mean that I don’t believe a moratorium might or should be eventually instituted, but I think that decision should be made by the stakeholders, not county councils or legislators — at least not until after those with a stake in taro have gone through a process and come to a consensus or an agreement to disagree.”

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(Source: Nathan Eagle, Kauai Garden Island News)