HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0385.183 2012-2014 Murashige, Laura
From: okamotod003@hawaii.rr.com
Sent: Tuesday, September 03, 2013 5:47 PM
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Testimony for Committee on Public Safety& Mass Transit
Attachments: Testimony in Opposition to County of Hawaii Bills No.doc
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Testimony in
Opposition to Cou...
Please find attached my testimony for the committee meeting scheduled on
September 4, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. Thanks
Duane Okamoto
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1 Ref. Date SEP 2 3 ZO13
Testimony in Opposition to County of Hawaii Bills No. 109 and 113.
My name is Duane K. Okamoto and I am writing in strong opposition to these two bills, which if
passed, will cause irreparable harm to the agricultural industry and have an extremely negative
effect on the social fabric of the Big Island and its economy. I do not believe that either of these
bills will accomplish what they purport to do, and in fact, will result in lower tax revenue for the
County, increased administrative expenses, litigation and incidents of vandalism, less respect for
authority, and an exodus of farmers or closure of farms and ranches across the Big Island,
without any objectively measurable improvement in the health and safety of the residents and
visitors to the Big Island.
In my prior positions as Deputy Director of the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and the
Agricultural Liaison for the City and County of Honolulu, I heard many of the same arguments
against GMO that are being presented as justification for these and other proposed laws. What I
haven't heard or seen then or now is any scientific evidence emanating from a recognized,
science based organization that provides justification for such anti-GMO bills as are being
proposed. There are many anti-GMO advocacy groups that include scientists but none with
reputation of the World Health Organization, National Academy of Sciences, American
Association for the Advancement of Science. American Medical Association, European
Commission. French Academy of Science, and Union of German Academics and Scientists, all
of whom have concluded that GMO's do not pose a threat to human health.
Please do not pass these bills. All forms of agriculture in Hawaii need your continuing support.
For decades, conventional, organic and farmers using biotechnology have co-existed because of
common interests and statewide-support. Please do not drive apart or drive away the industry
when all of the evidence, in Hawaii, on the Mainland, and around the world is clear that there is
no reason to take this action. Thank you for the opportunity to present my testimony.
Name: Duane K. Okamoto
Occupation: Small business owner. Former Deputy Director, Hawaii Department of Agriculture.
Former Agriculture Liaison, City & County of Honolulu.
City where I live: Honolulu, Hawaii