HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0882.062 2006-2008
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Ka'iulani Pahjo
From: Ku Kahakalau [kukahakalau@kalo.org]
Sent: Monday, January 21, 2008 4:33 PM
To: 'Kaiulani'
Subject: FW: Strong Support of Resolution 462-08
Attachments: iini.doc; ku.doc; Ndlei Pate.doc; polani.doc; iini.rtf; ku.rtf; NAlei Pate.rtf; polani.rtf
FYI, ku
From: Ku Kahakalau (mailto:kukahakalau@kalo.org]
Sent: Monday, January 21, 2008 2:32 PM
To: 'counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us'
Subject: Strong Support of Resolution 462-08
The attached testimonies are in strong support of Resolution 462-08, which urges the Hawai'i
State Legislature to pass S.B. 958 S.D.1H.D.1., which imposes a ten year moratorium on
developing, testing, propagating, cultivating, growing, and raising of genetically modified taro in
the State of Hawai'i.
Ku Kahakalau, Ph.D.
President
Kann o ka Aina Leaming 'Ohara
(808) 887-1117
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Verdean Ka'iulani Pahi'o
P.O. Box 1232
Honoka'a, Hawai'i 96727
(808) 775-7470
kaiulani@kalo.org
Jan 21, 2008
Aloha Council Members
My name is Ka'iulani Pahi'o and I reside in the district of Hamakua and my
family still resides and work in Waipi'o Valley.
I am writing to ask for your wholehearted support of Resolution 462-08.
Resolution 462-08 urges the Hawai'i State Legislature to pass S.B. 958 S.D.1H.D.1. This
bill imposes a moratorium on developing, testing, propagating, cultivating, growing, and
the raising of genetically modified taro in the State of Hawai'i.
In all cultures, kupuna (elders) have been held in high acclaim and revered and
respected throughout the family and community. Kupuna is regarded as keepers of our
language, history, culture, traditions, etc... Our kupuna is the source of knowledge that
feeds us. In Hawai'i and other parts of the world, KALO (taro) has been an important
source that has kept us fed, not only by nourishing our bodies, but our spirit as well.
Haloanakalaukapalili (KALO) is this source of nourishment. Haloanakalaukapalili is my
kupuna.
It is my responsibility to care for my kupuna, as they have cared for me.
Haloanakalaukapalili doesn't have a voice to express the concerns and arrogance of
GMO testing on itself and the impacts this will have on our people. But I do! KALO has
been a part of my life since the day I was born. It is who we are as a people and it is who
we will continue to be. KALO is sacred to the Hawaiian nation. Help keep KALO
sacred!
Please pass Resolution 462-08 and help us protect KALO for our future
generations.
Mahalo no,
MZ ~
Ka'iulani Pahi'o
Ku Kahakalau, Ph.D.
P.O. Box 1764
Honoka'a, Hawai'i 968727
(808) 775-0867
Kukahakalau@kalo.org
Jan 18, 2008
Aloha Council Members
My name is Dr. Ku Kahakalau and I strongly implore you to please support
Resolution 462-08, which urges the Hawai'i State Legislature to pass S.B. 958
S.D.IH.D.1.. This bill imposes a moratorium on developing, testing, propagating,
cultivating, growing, and raising of genetically modified taro in the State of Hawai'i.
As Hawaiian practitioners, we practice a familial relationship between our `ohana
and the taro. We take care of the taro, like our kupuna have done for countless
generations, and in turn the taro takes care of us, like it has done from the beginning of
time. This reciprocity is essential for both to survive. Since the taro can't speak, we his
`ohana have a kuleana to speak up and protect our older sibling Haloanakalaukapalili
from being altered in any way.
Taro is sacred. It is the bodyform of one of our major gods, the god Kane, whose
other bodyforms sunlight and freshwater are essential for growing taro. For us taro is
much more than just a plant. It is our `ohana. This cannot be emphasized enough to an
industry that is strictly out to make profits. This is not about producing a better taro. We
don't need a better taro. Our taro is just fine. While there are diseases that are affecting
our taro, these diseases can and have been controlled by conventional methods, not by
blasting foreign materials into the nuclei of our beloved older sibling.
Please pass Resolution 462-08 and help us protect taro for future generations.
Me ke aloha pumehana,
Ku Kahakalau, Ph.D.
N51ei Pate-Kahakalau
P.O. Box 1764
Honoka'a, Hawai'I 968727
(808) 775-0867
haloa@kalo.onz
Jan 18, 2008
Aloha mai esteemed Hawai'i Council Members
My name is Nalei Pate-Kahakalau and I am an educator and a taro planter in Waipi'o
Valley. This testimony is in strong support of Resolution 462-08, which urges the
Hawai'i State Legislature to pass S.B. 958 S.D.1H.D.I., which imposes a ten year
moratorium on developing, testing, propagating, cultivating, growing, and raising of
genetically modified taro in the State of Hawai'i.
As a native Hawaiian practitioner, who views taro as a kinolau of the god Kane, the
creator, god of freshwater, sunlight and new beginnings, I feel it is imperative that
absolutely no experiments occur in the State of Hawai'i, which may cause harm to our
most important plant, the taro. According to one of our cosmogonic genealogies, taro is
also our older sibling Haloanakalaukapalili. As our older sibling kalo is responsible for
taking care of us kanaka, while at the same time, we younger siblings are responsible for
taking care of the taro. This reciprocal relationship has existed since the beginning of
time.
Please pass Resolution 462-08, so that taro can be protected until we find out more about
genetic engineering and the potential hazards it may have not just for taro, but for the
soil, the freshwater that runs through our valleys, and all who consume taro and poi as
part of our everyday diet.
Me ke aloha pumehana,
e/Vd~el ~aEe-~~a~a~au
`Pinimaikalani Kealilkua'aina Kahakalau
P.O. Box 1764
Honoka'a, Hawai'I 968727
(808) 775-0867
iniluvzubu@yahoo.com
Jan 18, 2008
Aloha Council Members
My name is `I' ini Kahakalau and I am in 9 s grade at Kanu o ka `Aina New Century
Public School. I live in Kukuihaele above Waipi'o Valley and love to spend time in the
valley helping my `ohana plant taro. I ask you to please support of Resolution 462-08,
which urges the Hawai'i State Legislature to pass S.B. 958 S.D.IH.D.L, which imposes a
ten year moratorium on developing, testing, propagating, cultivating, growing, and
raising of genetically modified taro in the State of Hawai'i.
I love to eat taro and poi and I am really worried that if we don't put a stop to taro testing
and genetically engineering taro something horrible could go wrong and we will forever
be unable to eat taro and poi as we know it.
Please pass Resolution 462-08. We need to protect the taro so it can continue to take care
of us light it has for countless generations. For me taro is `ohana and I would not want
any one of may `ohana to be raped, which is what genetic engineering does, by forcing
the cells to accept foreign materials. Genetic engineering is not natural and I like natural.
Sincerely,
Mani Ka'oakaokalani Kahakalau
P.O. Box 1764
Honoka'a, Hawai'I 968727
(808) 775-0867
polanishake@yahoo.com
Jan 18, 2008
Aloha Council Members
My name is Polani Kahakalau. I go to Kann o ka `Aina New Century Public School and
I am in 7ch grade. I live in Kukuihaele. Every other week my project goes to Waipi'o
Valley where we take care of taro patches so we can eat taro and poi.
Please support Resolution 462-08, which urges the Hawai'i State Legislature to pass S.B.
958 S.D.1H.D.L. We need a moratorium on developing, testing, propagating,
cultivating, growing, and raising of genetically modified taro in the State of Hawai'i until
we know for sure that it is safe. Personally, I don't think that will ever happen. GMO is
very risky and so much stuff could go wrong.
I have eaten taro and poi since I was a baby and I hope I can enjoy taro and poi until I am
a kupuna and that my children and grandchildren will also be able to eat taro and poi like
me. If we experiment with taro and something goes wrong that may never happen. So I
say NO to GMO.
Please pass Resolution 462-08 and protect taro so that future generations can enjoy this
very `ono food without having to worry about their health. Right now taro is very good
for us, for example if babies are allergic they can only eat poi and when kupuna can't eat
meat anymore because of their teeth they can still eat poi.
Mahalo nui,
;VX&1 4G J~~