GMO Taro bill update

Aloha Friends!  What follows is a very thorough explanation of the status of the taro bills, from Penny of Hui Kalo, the statewide taro farmers' association. 

THERE IS A CALL TO ACTION BELOW.  PLEASE READ!
Mahalo!
Bonnie, GMO-Free Maui

The legislature takes a two recess days March 5th and 7th so we will need to work fast this week to ensure the bills get to the floor as early as possible.

GMO Moratorium (SB958/704)

B958 has passed through all Senate committees and is waiting to be heard in its last cross-over committee in the House - the Ag Committee.  This bill has maintained the 10 year moratorium and is the one we are focusing on now to push through.  In order to get to the floor for a full final vote on each side the hurdle to be crossed this week is to make sure it gets scheduled to be heard in the House AG Committee.

We've learned that not scheduling a bill for discussion is a backdoor way of killing a bill (see below regarding the Taro Recognition bill).  Our opposition on the bill isn't just UH, HARC and DOA but Monsanto as well - the silent partner driving these institutions.

It's worth noting also that a number of articles and letters to the editor have gone out to all the major papers in the State; all have been squashed and in their place, pro-GMO articles and opinions have been printed; particularly in the Honolulu Advertiser.

On March 1st, SB958 was re-referred to the EEP Committee (Energy and Environmental Protection) and referred on to the House Ag Committee.  The EEP has already passed two readings of the bill.  It is the Ag Committee that will be the tough one.

We need you to call or email the following committee members and tell them at least these things -
1) schedule the bill to be heard;
2) you are a consituent from their island/district and want them to support SB958;
3) you are a ...taro farmer, educator, cultural practitioner, entreprenuer, etc.

Maui folks speak out to these Committee members!
Toll free from Maui - dial toll free 984-2400 + 6 and last 4 digits of phone#
Kyle Yamashita (Pukalani, Makawao, Olinda, Pulehu, Kula, Ulupalakua)
586-6330; fax 586-6331; repyamashita@Capitol.hawaii.gov

As soon as we know the date/time for the AG Committee we will send out a kahea for testimony - we will need every person to stand up and speak out in support of SB958; especially if you haven't yet done so yet.  New voices each time are really important.  Hui members who haven't yet testified but support the Moratorium your voice will be critical now!

In addition, once the bill hits the floor, we won't be able to testify anymore.  When it goes to the floor, we will need every brother, mother, father, sister, uncle, auntie, cousin to call your individual Representatives and Senators and tell them - vote in favor of SB958!

Don't know who they are?  Go to:
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/house/members/members.asp?press1=house&press2=members