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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0385.147 2012-2014 COUNTY CLERK Beth Leeds 2013 SEP -4 PM 12: 57 Citizen In Action * Ombudswoman Post Office Box 25 * Papa'aloa HI 96780 949-306-1339 * bethleeds @gmail.com September 4, 2013 TO: Hawaii County Council, Public Safety and Mass Transit RE: Bills 109 and 113 and the ad hoc committee task force Aloha, my name is Beth Leeds, my Council Member is Valerie Poindexter and I support the BAN on harmful GMO. I admire your courage, Councilwoman Ford and Councilwoman Wiley for bringing these two bills before the people, banning the use of harmful GMOs on Hawaii Island. I oppose any exemptions. I heard that when our Governor was in Hilo last month he stated that he wants to expand the Big Island Dairy's GMO cornfields on the Hamakua Coast in O'okala. And I was thinking, any expansion should go to expanding non-GMOs! Exemptions and 30 month delays should not be an option in a BAN GMO Bill. That means that a child has to drink GMO milk for 30 months until it has transitioned and that is too long for that child, too long for us, too long for the aina. The transitioning must begin now. I know you have been lobbied by big multi-national corporate lobbyists who are getting paid. It's really about the major multinational corporation that supplies the GMOs, wielding their power over our island, gaining more of our land for their huge profits.I want to identify myself. I am an advocate and Ombudswoman for the people and the aina. You see, we all speak with one voice, with our heart. With the aloha spirit. we need to curb the toxics on our land. There is a very important law on the books that addresses an issue such as this. It is Hawaii Revised Statute, section 5-7.5, THE ALOHA SPIRIT LAW! This is a law that can be followed, can be championed, can set the precedent for protection of our island. Comm. No. 3S5 /47 Ref. To: P I P01'16 PC. . Dote SEP 2013 Ref I offer my expertise to you on your ad hoc committee task force. The switch from GMO to non-GMO will save the farmers money and bring the spirit of aloha back to you, our decision makers, where it belongs. I want to assist those agri-farmers to transition to non-GMO. Banning GMO is a win-win for every person on this island. The papaya industry will make more money, the Big Island Dairy will be delivering safe milk. Thank you for your action, it's the right thing to do. Beth Leeds C �J� '