REP HSEDC 010 11/06/2008 2006-2008

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Councilman Pete Hoffmann said he understands Councilwoman Ford's reservations on the resolution. He thinks the resolution is in response to an initiative the mayor made in his message a month ago. He is pleased to think the Council is willing to follow up and try to do something, even if some of his colleagues think it is late and should have happened beforehand. He heard Ms. Ley say Research and Development supports the intent of the resolution, that it is a step in the right direction. He thinks that is true. Under any circumstances, this is an issue that needs to be addressed by the people of this island, Councilman Hoffmann said. While he has some reservations about the appointment of individuals to this particular commission, he feels it is important for the Council and the Mayor to make an effort to move forward on this issue that impacts the agricultural community. He wanted to point out to his colleagues that there are some issues that are not contained in the body of the resolution that could be addressed during commission hearings. One is the lack of labeling of GMO products. He also believes that it is necessary to discuss safeguards to GMO testing. He does not believe there should be an outright ban on GMO testing. He believes testing can be done with safeguards, although he doesn't know at this point what those safeguards will be. Councilman Hoffmann believes that in using this particular resolution, there is a need to discuss the rights of the county in protecting, safeguarding and establishing different regulations for agriculture within the county boundaries. This clearly is an issue that can be partially addressed by a commission. Councilman Hoffmann sees this resolution as being complementary with the efforts taken by the Council to ban GMO coffee and taro. He doesn't see them as contradictory. He doesn't think that one needs to wait for the effort. He supports Councilman Pilago's initiative in this case and will be voting in favor of the resolution. Councilwoman Ford said she agreed with all the comments thus far. Her concern is that there may be some conflict in the minds of the council members between the establishment of the commission and the GMO ban on coffee and taro. Her thinking is if there is that concern, she wants them to be aware that if they override the mayor's veto, that law can be changed. Some people may think that by starting this commission, it is safe to go ahead with GMO research on coffee and taro. She moved to postpone Communication 1559 and Resolution 809-08 until after there is a vote on overriding the mayor's veto on the ban of GMO taro and coffee. Councilman Jacobson seconded the postponement motion. Councilman Ikeda spoke against the postponement. He said by the discussion it is clear that most council members support the resolution and the establishment of the commission. Councilman Pilago also spoke against the postponement, noting the ordinance, the veto, and the commission are all separate issues. The resolution is simply asking the mayor to form a commission. It is the option of the mayor to organize these types of council, commissions and discussions. Councilman Hoffmann spoke against a postponement, as well. When the mayor made this suggestion in his letter--after the GMO ban ordinance passed--Councilman Hoffmann contacted Managing Director Dixie Kaestu with the idea of being concerned as to whether the mayor wished to proceed with the formulation of this resolution, or whether the Council should do it. The Mayor's Office got back to him a couple days later to indicate it would be perfectly fine if the Council wished to proceed. He sees them as two separate items. Clearly, the resolution calls for the new mayor, which means it would have to be after Dec. 1 anyway, to go ahead with this