HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0393.141 2012-2014 Murashige, Laura
From: nancy redfeather[nredfeather @kohalacenter.org]
Sent: Monday, October 14, 2013 9:43 AM
To: Nancy Redfeather; Counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Testimony for Bill 113 - FYI
Attachments: Final Bill 113 Testimony October 2013.doc; ATT00200.txt; earth.gif
Final Bill 113 ATf00200.txt(99 earth.gif(36 KB)
Testimony Octob... B)
Aloha,
After much consideration of the work done by Councilwoman Wille and the Hawaii County
Council, the healthy dialogue of the community process, and the future sustainability of
agriculture on Hawaii Island, I share my Testimony for the Hearing on Bill 113, Tuesday
October 15.
All Districts deserve the same protections. We can connect the dots (scientifically)
between the health of the soil, the health of the people and animals that eat from that
soil, and the health of our communities. We can begin now to mitigate future health
problems, encourage our farmers to move toward agroecology (Identified in the IAASTD
Report as the direction for future world agriculture) , create greater food sustainability,
and attract our young and beginning farmers who support the building of local community
food systems, one of the true drivers of a successful future economy.
"Culture Follows Agriculture" - Sir Albert Howard (the father of modern organic
agriculture) .
Mahalo,
Nancy Redfeather and Gerry Herbert
Kawanui Farm - Honalo
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1 Ref. Date Ur T 15 2013
Testimony: Bill 113
Hearing—Tuesday October 15, 2013
Hawai'i County Council Meeting—Kona
Nancy Redfeather and Gerry Herbert
Kawanui Farm—Honalo
Aloha Chair and Members of the Council,
I Support Bill 113 only with the following Amendment:
"All genetically engineered corn currently being cultivated by any grower on Hawaii
Island, will "sunset" 2 years from the date of passage of this Bill. During that time the
University of Hawai'i at Manoa (Hawaii Seed Foundation—Dr. James Brewbaker, UHM
Extension Services Hawai'i Island (Dr. Russell Nagata, Mealani and Komohana
Extension Services), and University of Hawai'i at Hilo School of Agriculture (Dean
Bruce Mathews, and Professor Eric Cleveland) work with Hawaii's growers to create
non-GE, sustainable/ecological systems for cattle and animal feed. All growers of GE
corn shall register during the 2 year period, and no additional lands will put under
cultivation."
Note: ALL Districts of Hawaii Island should be protected from GE corn varieties. I
don't see a need for a Council Ad Hoc Committee at this time (unless one or more of the
Council wished to join in these Sustainability Talks with our Public Land Grant
University Resources). The outcome of these talks would support and further a common
need on Hawai'i Island among Farmers, Ranchers, and Animal Producers to create more
affordable, sustainable, nutritious, and ecosystem friendly agricultural feed systems. This
direction supports the County of Hawai'i Agricultural Plan Update, and the University of
Hawai'i public agriculture and seed/plant breeding resources.
The "lens" we use as trusted and sovereign (Ke Ea) Council and community members are
the words Kau'ikeaouli (Kamehameha III) spoke upon return of the Hawaiian Kingdom
from King George of England, now the Motto of Hawai'i.
"Ua Mau Ke Ea 0 Ka ',Nina I Ka Pono"—For all time, those who hold sovereign
responsibility, will always consider the deeper relationship, preservation and protection
for the Lands of Hawai'i with what is "pono."
Mahalo,
Nancy Redfeather and Gerry Herbert
Kawanui Farm - Honalo