HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0882.058 2006-2008
Aloha my is Ikua Purdy I am 16 years old and in the 11`h grade. My parents are Leslie
Derego, Calvin Derego and Richard Watai. My grand parents are Tamara Purdy and
Leslie Purdy. To me there is no reason for this G.M.O experiment to happen.
This experiment will affect us as Hawaiian people and the Native Americans with their
corn. For us as Hawaiians the kalo is a main food source and in Hawaiian culture kalo is
considered our older brother. So the way I look at it, by doing this G.M.O experiment on
the kalo the result is affecting all mankind. I go to school at Kann o ka `Aina and we have
a project we call Waipi'o Water Study where we go down to Waipi'o Valley every other
week of school. We work directly with the kalo. When I think of the future as far as I
understand; my kids and grand kids will have to buy kalo if they want to plant and grow
it. This isn't right. As Hawaiian people we have been plating and raising kalo for over
2000 years. To me when I think about our ancestors and our kupuna who are probably
listening right now; doing this to the kalo is disrespect to them. So as a student of the
water study and Kanu o ka'Aina and as a cultural practitioner I would like to say mahalo
and thank you for listening to my testimony.
" qj-ky - (j, ,ate
Comm. No. 4 0 ,R..7 sp
Ref. To: 10"0106 UN4*/
Ref. Date