STAND. COM. REP. NO. 736

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 709

       S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 709, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to prohibit the development, testing, propagation, release, importation, planting, or growing of genetically modified taro in the State of Hawaii.

 

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by one state agency, six organizations, and nearly one thousand public citizens.  Testimony in opposition was submitted by three state agencies, seven organizations, and eleven public citizens.  Written testimony presented to your Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

 

     Your Committee finds that taro, or kalo, is integral to the identity of native Hawaiians, and the State of Hawaii as a whole.  The traditional moolelo of Wakea and Papahanaumoku explains that the first kalo plant, Haloanakalaukapalili, is the elder brother of native Hawaiians.  As the elder sibling, Haloa provides sustenance to native Hawaiians, and in return, the younger siblings care for him and ensure that he flourishes.  The bond that connects native Hawaiians to kalo remains a sacred one, and kuleana dictates that bond is preserved and protected.

 

     Your Committee understands that taro faces many challenges including disease, invasive species, and environmental changes.  However, your Committee believes that there are natural alternatives to genetic modification or engineering, such as fallowing loi, restoring stream flows, and improving the overall health of the environment.  Scientists should work with taro farmers and the native Hawaiian community to conduct a comprehensive examination of traditional and natural methods which are neither intrusive nor offensive to native Hawaiian culture.  Research and development of non-Hawaiian taro varieties can be conducted outside of the State, which will ensure that these varieties will not be released into the environment of Hawaii. 

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Adopting the recommendation of the University of Hawaii and amending the definition of "genetically modified" to read "genetically engineered" to be more scientifically accurate;

 

     (2)  Amending the purpose section to reflect these changes;

 

     (3)  Amending the purpose clause to clarify that this measure is not intended to prevent the University of Hawaii from conducting field testing and commercial propagation of successful new varieties of taro outside of the State; and

 

     (4)  Amending the effective date to July 1, 2050 for the purpose of encouraging further discussion.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 709, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 709, S.D. 2.

 


Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs,

 

 

 

____________________________

CLAYTON HEE, Chair