HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0271.402 2012-2014 Page 1 of 1
Murashige, Laura CpUNTY l. tl AR'A11
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From: Yeshuah Kauhane [beethechangehawaii @gmaiemlitL r 9:
Sent: Saturday, June 29, 2013 12:03 AM
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Support for Bill 79
I am writing to voice my STRONG support for Bill 79.
My position is based on evidence that GMO crops may endanger our soil, our seed supply, and our
health. The evidence is so compelling that many countries around the world have banned them outright.
The argument for GMO technology is undermined by the threat it presents (e.g. soil sterility, unintended
and irreversible cross pollination, super bugs, and super weeds associated with the chemicals used to
support GMO production, etc. ) . GMO's are not necessary to grow enough food for everyonee, and
there are many other methods to organically produce comparable amounts of food. When you take away
the chemical agriculture subsidies associated with GMO production, and take into account the organic
ag penalties, GMO production actually ends up costing more. The papaya farmer that grows next door to
us (literally on the other side of our fence) told me the GMO papaya wasn't growing so good anyway,
but he couldn't afford to grow a more successful crop, let alone organic, of something else, because even
with so many diseased papaya, the subsidies would make it worth it for him to grow it!
Hawaii also has the unique opportunity to present itself as a GMO free haven, making it ideal for seed
propagation, hybrid research, and a source of non-gmo staples, like soybeans and, now, alfalfa. Even
tourism could get a boost as there is a movement across the planet rejecting GMO's.
A vote for bill 79 is a vote for public safety. A vote against it is a vote for private interests and an
industry that is destroying our environment. Please take the position that so many other nations around
the world have and ban GMO's.
Thank you,
Yeshuah Kauhane
Comm.No, cP 7/' 17/44°Z
Ref.To:, PJU MTG
Ref.Date, JUL a 2 21113
7/1/2013