REP HSEDC 010 11/06/2008 2006-2008

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a follow-up to Mayor Harry Kim's request in opening up the process to the public and have the discussions done in a legitimate and transparent way. The recommendation is a very important initiative that the mayor recommends and shows a partnership between the County Council and the Administration on an issue that is very important to the well-being of our whole island and toward the stabilization of our economy. He asked for all council members' support of the commission. Councilman Jacobson expressed support for the resolution and he is pleased Councilman Pilago came forward with it. He is just hoping it will produce the desired effects, because all the people who opposed the GMO ban bill--he talked with them and asked if they had any sympathy for the people who have been put out of business by GMO contamination ofcrops--did not express any sympathy for farmers with GMO contaminated crops. Councilman Ikeda said he supports the resolution, but he wonders if the commission is after-the- fact, because the Council already passed a GMO ban on coffee and taro. The mayor vetoed the ban, but Councilman Ikeda would like to know how the commission affects the ban, the subsequent veto, etc. Councilman Pilago said the GMO commission does not affect the GMO ban ordinance as it stands, and the issue of the veto is something that will be addressed later. Everyone agrees the commission issue could have come up earlier, and the discussion format and public debate could have occurred in a different way. Councilman Pilago said it's unfortunate the GMO ban veto/commission came about in this fashion, but everyone needs to understand that there was always the opportunity for this commission to be formed at an earlier time at an earlier period. Councilman Pilago said he supports the mayor's desire for a commission, although it comes up late for everyone. It should re-enforce the discussion for taro, coffee and papaya. Bringing the discussion up in the public format is important for all of us, Councilman Pilago said. He does not see a conflict between the commission and the GMO ban bill. Councilwoman Brenda Ford supports the resolution with reservations since there are two groups of people, one who wants GMO everything and a group led by the farming community who say they don't want the ban on two products only. There doesn't seem to be a middle ground on this, she noted. You have GMO coffee and taro, or you don't. The question Councilwoman Ford has is who will decide who sits on the commission. Councilwoman Ford had a piece of testimony, which all council members received, that she described as "extremely rude." The testimony mentions the commission as "a place to discuss and understand the pros and cons of agricultural biotechnology outside the rude and misinformed maelstrom of mainland funded activist community." Councilwoman Ford doesn't believe there is anyone on the Council who voted for the ban receiving any money on this issue. If so, she would like them to speak up because she didn't receive any such money. It is that kind of person who shouldn't serve on the commission because their mind is set in concrete, Councilwoman Ford said. They aren't willing to at least sit down and have a rational discussion about the concerns of the farming community. Councilwoman Ford is concerned about who selects the commission. Chairwoman Naeole said it would be the mayor who would appoint members to the commission. Councilwoman Ford expressed concern that it would be the mayor making the choice, when he has come out opposed to the issue.