HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0883.032 2006-2008 Page 1 of 1
Murashige, Laura
From: Elisha Goodman [elishagoodman@hotmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 10:24 PM
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
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Subject: HOFA's Testimony for Thurs. Res. Res. 463-08 regarding coffee
Attachments: Testimony08CountyCouncilCoffee.doc On ~
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Please see attached and if possible, print for the council members. .!3 tV
Thank you. s '
Elisha Goodman i-;r. ~ _
HOFA Board Member T r,= ~
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1 /24/2008
HAWAII ORGANIC FARMERS ASSOCIATION
Address: P.O. Box 6863, Hilo, H/ 96720-8935
Ph: (808) 969-7789 Fax: (808) 969-7759
Email: hofa@hawaiiorganicfarmers.org
www. ha waiiorganicfarmers. org
HOFA 2007
eoard.ofDireceors: ~ To: Hawaii County Council
Frani Weber
President From: Elisha Goodman, on behalf of HOFA
Micnael aims - Date: Thursda Janu 23, 2008
Vice President Y~
Dave Gelher ~ o t
TfeasUfef .SUb)CCt: In SUppOrt Of Res. 4fi3-OB: "Suppons H. B. 1577 H. D. 1 to Temporarily Prohibit the Growing of Genetically
^ - Motlifetl Coffee for a Period o(Five Years, and at the Same Time, Permit Research in an Environmentally Secure Facility. (Urges the
Elisha GOOdman Hawaii State Legislature to pass H. B. 1577 H. D. 1, however, does not support locating the research facility within the County of
SBCfetafy ' . ~ ' , Hawai'i.F; and EMC-12."
Curtis F~Itstram - - ~ ,
oanu Director-at-Large Members of the Council, thank you for hearing this testimony. I am Elisha
Patti vaieniiiie Goodman and am here to testify on behalf of the Hawaii Organic Farmers
Kauai'Diri:aor.at-Large ~ ' Association (HOFA) in strong support of Res. 463-08.
Rosa Russell
Kauai Director=at-t:arge The beginning of HOFA's official policy on GMOs reads as follows:
cenincartomcomm>tree: The Hawaii Organic Farmers Association believes that the life of the land and
Alfred Wylie-chair ~ a sustainable economy will both improve without the implementation of
saran Greenbaum: ' genetic engineering, provided that, more research and education are put forth
for organic, ecologically sustainable land care practices. Therefore, we
Terri Langiey~-~~ ~ enerall o ose the use o enetic en ineerin in a riculture. Ours eci zc
Louisa Wboton g y pp f g g g g p f
directives on the use of genetically modified organisms are as follows:
eoard of Trustees." 1. Impose a moratorium on the release of genetically modified organisms
Luy Boerner (GMO) into the environment until a regulatory regime has been adopted
David Bourgom ~ that includes extensive evaluation of environmental consequences and
Dlana Dam secondary ecological effects, as well as pre-market safety testing of
Vincent Mina genetically modified foods and ingredients.
Damian Pam The livelihoods of HOFA's organic farmers and all coffee farmers throughout the
Bob snaffer state are directly threatened by the prospect of GMO coffee being grown in
Hawaii. Hawaii's Coffee farmers, especially our 600 and some Kona Coffee
Admlalsrraeors: farmers, command one of the highest price points in the world for their coffee
Kelly ~ang~.- because it is specialty, gourmet coffee. The Specialty Coffee Association of
Education Program Dlrector
cenification coordinator' America has stated that GMO coffee is not considered Gourmet. As such it
"Haire" Susan B. Sanford would never command a high price point. Should GMO coffee be grown here, it
office Administrator. _ would contaminate our specialty crop and be devastating to our coffee farmers
Deboran ward ' ~ whose contaminated product would only get a fraction of the price that our
Duality contra or6cer.' gotrrmet coffee can command.
Thank you for your time.
Elisha Goodman,
HOFA Board Member
HOFA MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to protect the life of the land and the health of our communities
through education about organic land care practices. We believe that developing
and strengthening certified organic farms would enhance Hawaii's many fragile
ecosystems and be a base for a local sustainable economy.