Kauai Rising will host a concert and rally Saturday in support of a charter amendment petition that seeks to regulate pesticides and genetically modified organisms on the island. “I’ve been a longtime supporter of the movement to regulate agrochemical operations
Kauai Rising will host a concert and rally Saturday in support of a charter amendment petition that seeks to regulate pesticides and genetically modified organisms on the island.
“I’ve been a longtime supporter of the movement to regulate agrochemical operations in Hawaii,” said Hawaiian musician Makana, who will perform and serve as emcee. “I often donate my time and my music to causes involving that.”
The free event begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall in Lihue.
Makana will be joined by musical guests Sashamon, Liko Martin and the Sacred Earth Choir. Speakers at the event will include professional surfer Dustin Barca, Hawaiian rights activist Walter Ritte, Kauai County Councilman Gary Hooser, Dr. Lorrin Pang and Don Heacock.
Michael Shooltz of Kauai Rising, the nonprofit behind the proposed charter amendment, said the evening will be full of terrific music and informative speeches, meant to serve as a kick off for the citizens’ initiative as well as a thank you to the people who have put in time and effort.
“We want it to be kind of a celebration as well as having the support of the community to get the charter amendment on the ballot,” he said.
Those behind the measure, including Shooltz, say it is the next step beyond Ordinance 960, a new county law governing pesticide use and GMOs, which is slated to go into effect in August.
To get the charter amendment on the Nov. 4 ballot, Kauai Rising must collect 2,037 signatures — 5 percent of the county’s registered voters — by May 21.
Makana said the event will be both fun and informative, and hopes to bring concerned community members together.
“I really love the people and the aina over there,” he said of Kauai. “Even though I don’t live there I feel it’s my kuleana to participate — use my music and my voice to let people know they have options and choices, and to inform and inspire them.”
For more information about the Kauai Next Step Concert Rally, visit www.kauairising.org or call Paul Kromer at (541) 921-1401.
