HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0225.075 2008-2010
To: The Hawaii County Council Dated: April 7, 2009
From: Dr. Joel & Michelle Levey
Malama Kdaina Farm, Kaauhuhu Homesteads, Hawaii
Clinicians working in medicine/health care for over 30 years
Letter of Support for Resolution 81-09- Voicing Strong Opposition to HB 1226
We are Joel & Michelle Levey from Hawi in North Kohola where we have a 12 acre
organic farm. We are here today to express our strong support for the Resolution
introduced by Councilman Pete Hoffman to oppose HB 1226.
As farmers in Hawaii and as clinicians who have worked in medicine and healthcare
for over 30 years, we have witnessed first hand the damages to health caused by eating an
unhealthy diet and ingestion of toxic substances.
Through programs at North Hawaii Community Hospital and the Five Mountains
Hawaii Foundation, we have worked closely with many members of the local community who
suffer from a host of preventable diet and life-style related diseases. From our research
and study, it has become increasingly clear to us that the health threats of GMO foods are
potentially even far greater, adequate substantive research is still in its infancy, and the
prevalence of questionable and unethical practices that have lead to the propagation of
GMO foods is of great concern to us.
House Bill 1226 in an irresponsible and unconscionable piece of legislation. It
reflects appalling ignorance and disregard for potentially severe and long lasting health and
environmental dangers posed by introducing GMO food into our environment, into our
bodies, and into the world in which our future generations will live. The proven and
probable dangers are supported by a wealth of research - while the claims of GMO
advocates are frequently based on fallacious research and unsubstantiated claims.
HR 1226 is undemocratic, heavy-handed, and dangerous, and deserves to be
repealed. To pass a bill that "preempts" any future restrictions on GMOs in Hawaii
"forever" is absolutely unacceptable and no other States in the U.S. have passed similar
legislation.
We honor Councilman Hoffman for introducing Resolution 81-09 to oppose HR1226
and we strongly encourage the Hawaii County Council to join together with a unanimous
voice to support the passing of this resolution in opposition to HS 1226. We urge The
Council and all present here today to take every action possible to stop GMO research on
our island, to assure proper labeling of all GMO foods that are already or may in the future
be on the market, and to watch over and protect the health, safety and well being of the
people and aina of Hawaii now and for generations to come!
Thank you for hearing and considering our testimony in this urgent matter.
Sincerely,
Dr, Joel and Michelle Levey P.O. Box 1298 Kapaau, HI 96755
Comm. No.
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