Today at 8:30 a.m. at the Historic County Building in Lihu‘e a group will gather to raise attention to the issue of genetically modified taro. Organizers say Kaua‘i’s family farms and especially the kalo growers are not asking for this
Today at 8:30 a.m. at the Historic County Building in Lihu‘e a group will gather to raise attention to the issue of genetically modified taro. Organizers say Kaua‘i’s family farms and especially the kalo growers are not asking for this research and feel that it imposes a serious threat to their market, the cultural practices and their nutritional sustenance.
Participants hope to send the message Kaua‘i does not want GMO taro and will urge representatives to pass a bill calling for a 10-year moratorium on all GMO research, including the laboratory, and on all varieties of taro.
Some 90 percent of all the corn grown in the United States is GMO, states a release describing the event. “We have a chance to prevent this from happening to taro,” the release states.
A group of 10 people from around the state will arrive on Kaua‘i this morning at 8:30 a.m. and plan to meet at the Historic County Building for briefing and introductions. Those interested can help hold signs and ensure that Rep. Cliff Tsuji, D, Hilo-Glenwood, the head of the agriculture committee, and other important decision makers know to consider Kaua‘i opinion on the matter.
