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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> N51ei Pate-Kahakalau <br /> P.O. Box 1764 <br /> Honoka'a, Hawai'I 968727 <br /> (808) 775-0867 <br /> haloa@kalo.onz <br /> <br /> Jan 18, 2008 <br /> Aloha mai esteemed Hawai'i Council Members <br /> <br /> <br /> My name is Nalei Pate-Kahakalau and I am an educator and a taro planter in Waipi'o <br /> <br /> Valley. This testimony is in strong support of Resolution 462-08, which urges the <br /> Hawai'i State Legislature to pass S.B. 958 S.D.1H.D.I., which imposes a ten year <br /> <br /> moratorium on developing, testing, propagating, cultivating, growing, and raising of <br /> genetically modified taro in the State of Hawai'i. <br /> <br /> <br /> As a native Hawaiian practitioner, who views taro as a kinolau of the god Kane, the <br /> creator, god of freshwater, sunlight and new beginnings, I feel it is imperative that <br /> <br /> absolutely no experiments occur in the State of Hawai'i, which may cause harm to our <br /> most important plant, the taro. According to one of our cosmogonic genealogies, taro is <br /> <br /> also our older sibling Haloanakalaukapalili. As our older sibling kalo is responsible for <br /> taking care of us kanaka, while at the same time, we younger siblings are responsible for <br /> <br /> taking care of the taro. This reciprocal relationship has existed since the beginning of <br /> time. <br /> <br /> <br /> Please pass Resolution 462-08, so that taro can be protected until we find out more about <br /> genetic engineering and the potential hazards it may have not just for taro, but for the <br /> <br /> soil, the freshwater that runs through our valleys, and all who consume taro and poi as <br /> part of our everyday diet. <br /> <br /> <br /> Me ke aloha pumehana, <br /> <br /> <br /> e/Vd~el ~aEe-~~a~a~au <br />