HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 463 Draft 01 2006-2008 „SY os h4
COUNTY OF HAWAII STATE OF HAWAII
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RESOLUTION NO. 463 OS
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING H.B.1577 H.D.1 TO TEMPORARILY PROHIBIT THE
GROWING OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED COFFEE FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE
YEARS AND, AT THE SAME TIME, PERMIT RESEARCH IN AN
ENVIRONMENTALLY SECURE FACILITY.
WHEREAS, coffee is of vital importance to the agricultural economy and cultural
vitality of Hawaii Island; and
WHEREAS, coffees grown in Hawaii are considered specialty coffees by the Specialty
Coffee Association of America (SCAA), however, genetically modified coffee is not considered
a specialty coffee by the SCAA; and
WHEREAS, there is a desire to maintain the unique status and market prices for coffee
grown in Hawaii; and
WHEREAS, cross pollination with genetically modified coffee would contaminate and
affect the immediate first-generation crop, as we consume the seed of the plant; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of H.B.1577 H.D.1 is to prohibit the introduction of genetically
modified coffee in the Hawaii market and, at the same time, permit research on genetically
modified coffee in an environmentally secure facility to protect Hawai`i's coffees from
contamination caused by genetically modified organisms; and
WHEREAS, the major Hawaii coffee organizations, including the Hawaii Coffee
Association; Kona Coffee Council; Kona Coffee Farmer's Association; Kona Farmer's Alliance;
and the Kona Pacific Farmers Cooperative, all support H.B. 1577 H.D1; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that the
Hawaii State Legislature pass H.B. 1577 H.D.l to temporarily prohibit the growing of
genetically modified coffee for a period of five years and, at the same time, permit research only
in an environmentally secure facility; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Hawaii County Council does not support the
locating of any such research facility within the County of Hawaii; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the County Clerk shall forward copies of this
resolution to Mayor Harry Kim; Governor Linda Lingle; Sandra Kunimoto, Director, State
Department of Agriculture; Andrew Hashimoto, Dean, U.H. Manoa C.T.A.H.R.; Dr. William
Steiner, Dean, U.H. Hilo C.A.F.R.M.; and all members of the Hawaii State Legislature.
Dated at Hilo ,Hawaii, this 24th day of January , 2008.
INTRODUCED BY:
COUNCIL ME ER, COUNTY O HAWAII
COUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL voTE
County of Hawaii nves NOES ABS i:z
Hilo, Hawaii EOR~ X
HIGA X
I hereby certify [hat [he foregoing RESOLUTION was by HOFFMANN X
the ~~ote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the
CouuN Of llawai'i on JflRUary 24, 208 IKEDA
X_ _I
JACOBSON X
NABOLE g
ATTEST: PILAGO X
YAGONG X
„ YOSHIMOTO X
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nA eference: C-883/II~7C -12 -
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~OIYNTY CLERK CHAIRMAN & ING OFF ER RESOLUTION NO. 463 L} S _
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