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Harry Kim <br />Mayor <br />~ountp of ~aiu~i`i <br />891 Ululani Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553 <br />KONA: 75-5706 Kuakini Highway, Suite 103 • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 <br />(808) 329-5226 • Fax (808) 326-5663 <br />October 30, 2008 <br />The Honorable Pete Hoffmann, Chairperson, <br />and Members <br />Hawaii County Council <br />333 Kilauea Avenue <br />Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br />Re: Veto Message - Bi11361 Draft 2 <br />Restriction of Genetically Engineered Taro (Kalo) and Coffee <br />Dear Chairperson Hoffmann and Council Members: <br />Dixie Kaetsu <br />Managing Director <br />Barbara Kossow <br />Deputy Managing Director <br />r~ <br /> ~, <br />_ _ <br />C ) ,_ <br />.-; <br />G_.{_- W I <br /> O <br />_, 'V <br /> <br /> <br />""~ r/ <br /> <br />Pursuant to Section 3-12 of the Hawaii County charter, I am disapproving Bi11361 Draft 2 <br />and returning it to you. The major points of concern which led to the veto of this bill follow. <br />Enforcement <br />In the pa-sage of any piece of legislation that calls for enforcement, careful consideration <br />must be given to the enforceability of that law. Without the ability to enforce, the effect of the <br />legislation would be questionable. Bi11361 Draft 2 directs the enforcement of this law to the <br />Hawaii County Police Department and the Prosecuting Attorney. Quoted below are <br />comments from Police Chief Lawrence Mahuna: <br />"Although the purpose of the bill is to protect the taro (kalo) and coffee <br />industry from genetic engineering and preserve agriculturally-based <br />practices and cultural tradition associated with tazo (kalo) and coffee <br />within the County of Hawaii, which seems like a viable proposition, the <br />Police Department would be at a clear disadvantage to enforce this bill <br />because we have no crime lab individuals nor do we have the suitable <br />test equipment to conduct analysis for genetically (transgenic) or <br />recombinant DNA of taro or kalo or coffee. <br />"Secondly and most importantly how would the Police Department <br />make a determination on which tazo or coffee has been genetically <br />engineered? <br />Comm: Ao.- ~ ~~-2-~•, ~~ Z-~ <br />Ref. Tor +ett~ .I'tu <br />Ref. Date OCT 31 2t111R <br />Hawaii County is an equal opportunity provider and employer. <br />