HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0271.135 2012-2014 Page 1 of 1
Murashige, Laura COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF HAWAII
From: nikolaus Koenig [wnkoenig @yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, May 13, 2013 8:40 AM 2013 NAY 13 AN 0 08
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Please BAN GMOs on Big Island!
Dear Council Members-
The papaya on this Island is the perfect example why we need a ban on GMOs. We can no
longer grow our strawberry papaya without cross pollination, removing the right to grow what
we want (natural, safe, genetically pure, sustainable. Some may argue that the virus will also
compromise papaya production; our fruit isn't getting the virus, only GMO pollen.
Study after study shows that health problems are directly connected to the genetic
modification of our food, including: cancer, diabetes, asthma, hypertension, autism,
fybermyalsia, red blood cell destruction, immune system breakdown, hormone disruption. These
crops are engineered for profit through the patent process, yet show low nutritional value, higher
pesticide use, lower yields and compromise our genetic integrity. The Big Island is in a unique
position of not having a GMO industry yet, so no impact would occur, except for Big Island
Dairy who is willing to try non-GMO again. If the corn those cows eat is GMO, why wouldn't
the milk be required to be labeled GMO? Pesticides and herbicides are in every cell of that
GMO plant and all studies done on rodents get cancerous tumors. Our health is in jeopardy with
this fake food being allowed to pollinate our safe plants. Our agricultural future will only be
enhanced by the consumer knowing that Big Island doesn't mess with genetic genocide. This is
the bill, bill 79, that will secure our genetic sovereignty, more environmental quality due to high
chemical inputs required for GMO production, On Kauai, the reefs are being killed from the
run-off from toxic GMO fields. The GMO banana and pineapple have just been approved by
the govt. We have to pass our own county or state laws to protect the genetic codes of both
plants and human, or there will be a point of no return where every plant is patented GMO
contaminating all natural varities. This is the issue and action that can secure the future
generations from modified, dangerous food. Thank you for introducing this timely and
important bill to protect the future and health of this Great island. Nikolaus Koenig 76-6356
Leone Way Kailua-Kona 808-331-1121
Comm. No. oZ
Ref. rp: P M
Ref. Date 4 3
5/13/2013