HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0271.520 2012-2014 COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF HAWAII I
RECEIVED
Chairman/Chairwoman, Time By Q(%�/�
Date
Hi, my name is Gabriel Nagtalon. I am 17 years old. I am a senior, attending Roosevelt
High school. I live on the island of Oahu and I have been coming to the Big Island ever since I
was 5 years old every summer. I have been watching my uncle and auntie do their job as farmers
and I have seen and experienced the hard work that my family and I have put into this business. I
also have become more known to the types of seeds that we plant,the 2 different types of papaya
that we grow and harvest, and the tools that got us this far. Only now I learned that there was a
virus that hit the papaya industry in 92' and biotech had saved it from becoming completely
demolished. The rainbow papaya was introduced as the biotech result of over 10 years of
research from the virus. I also have come to find out that this county is now banning the rainbow
papaya and any biotech GMO used in crops. I want to become a farmer and as a young man in
this age and time I feel that we need the knowledge of biotech and technology to move forward
in the agriculture industry.
I have 1 more year to decide what I want to do with my life. I have decided that I want to
become a farmer and take over my family's business. I want to be able to continue the work on
this island,the Big Island because of the scarcity of land on Oahu and I want the tools to help me
along the way. This bill: Bill#79, is basically excluding the use of biotech, an essential tool to
the farm life that makes life much easier. But before I become a fanner, I want to and need to go
to college so that I can get more knowledge about agriculture. College is essential for young
adults to succeed in the future. My life right now is being based on the future because now that I
am an upcoming senior, I need the knowledge,the education to move forward and become a
successful man. With this bill, I won't be able to succeed. It will be difficult. This bill is taking
away an important tool that I need in the next chapter in my life. P2 Cal°
Comm. No. -11
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