HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0271.032 2012-2014 Page 1 of 1
p1 Pt5MTc
Murashige, Laura UN NY OF HAWAII auk. 21
From: Orchid Plantation, Inc. 1111-3 HAY ' 3 08
Sent: Monday, May 13, 2013 12:01 PM
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: bill 79
Attachments: OGOH Bill 79.doc
Comm. Ni °2'7/ 32►
Ref. To: r/ro m re,
Ref. Date MAY 1.4 2013
5/13/2013
LI
erc &ropers
OF HAWAII Orchid Growers Of Hawaii
P.O. Box 4153 Hilo Hawaii 96720
Email : info @ogoh.org Website : www.ogoh.org
May 13,2013
To: The Hawaii County Council Committee on Public Safety and Mass Transit
Re: Bill 79 - OPPOSED
My name is Elton Mow and I am the current President of the Orchid Growers of Hawaii
(000H) a Statewide Association of 100 commercial orchid growers.
I would like to state that the Orchid Growers of Hawaii are against Bill 79 which would
prohibit genetically modified organisms.
The Association is currently awaiting final stages of Research and testing of virus resistant
orchid plants that were developed by the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture
and Human Resources (CTAHR). A virus in orchids causes a brown discoloration especially on
white Dendrobium orchid flowers the main product of cutflower orchid growers in Hawaii. Once the
plants are infected with the virus there is no cure and the plants must be discarded. The infected plants
causes loss of productivity and revenue for the growers.
If Bill 79 is passed the Orchid Growers of Hawaii may never be able to use this valuable
Tool or any future tools that involve genetic modification. We urge to vote against Bill 79.
Elton Mow, President OGOH