HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0385.097 2012-2014 Page 1 of 1
Murashige, Laura COUNTY CLERK
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From: Honda, Amy[Amy.Honda @boh.com] �. Y ( .r t.]l r ll
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Sent: Tuesday, September 03, 2013 9:10 AM Z0,3 SEP -3 12: 09
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Testimony Against Bills 109 and 113
Hawaii County Council
Committee on Public Safety & Mass Transit
Wednesday September 4, 2013 1:30 p.m.
Testimony Against Bills 109 and 113
Committee Chair Ford and Members of the Committee:
I oppose Bills 109 and 113 because any anti-GMO legislation in Hawaii County will discriminate against our farmers and
ranchers who choose to use approved genetic engineered technology to grow safe and wholesome food and other
agriculture products. These Bills also damage Hawaii's reputation for producing some of the best crops on the planet, harms
our markets, and eventually destroy our agriculture industry.
I am pro-farming and the right to farm in the United States of America, still a free country, under laws of and
regulated by the USA and the State of Hawaii.
Hawaii's farmers and ranchers may need virus resistant GMO crops to protect Hawaii from the next papaya virus strain,
banana bunchy top virus, tomato spotted wilt and other vegetable viruses, or the bacterial citrus greening disease that is
destroying the Florida citrus industry and may soon come to Hawaii. Furthermore, this bill will stop development of GMO
ornamental and floral crops with enhanced horticultural or disease resistant characteristics. These Bills would prohibit
livestock and aquaculture producers from efficiently growing cost effective feed locally, requiring them to import at a higher
price the exact same feeds. How will Hawaii County farmers and ranchers compete when everyone but us has access to GE
technology?
The consensus of independent scientific organizations worldwide is unanimous and can be summed up by this statement
from the American Association for the Advancement of Science, "The science is quite clear: crop improvement by the
modern molecular techniques of biotechnology is safe."
Please vote against Bill 109 and Bill 113
Name: Amy Honda
Occupation: Commercial Banking Officer
City where I live: Hilo, HI
Additional Comments: I believe in every industry there needs to be advancement. GMO is a way for our farmers to
continue to survive and grow vital crops necessary to feed our population. We need to help our farmers in Hawaii in
hopes of making our islands more self sufficient. Without this help we will rely even more heavily on imported food,
some grown in other countries, which have even fewer regulations than the US. As a mother, I would feel better
feeding my child GMO crops grown & regulated in the US than crops grown elsewhere in the world. Please vote
against Bill 109& 113.
Amy Honda
Vice President
Bank of Hawaii-Hawaii Island CBC#153
120 Pauahi Street,Hilo,HI 96720
Ph:(808)854-2028 Fax:(808)935-9043
E-mail:Amy.Honda @boh.com
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