Would you like your food genetically modified, or would you like a choice? By Mark Fergusson (Down to Earth)
POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Feb 21, 2012
This legislative session, elected officials are considering Senate Bill 2279, a bill requiring the mandatory labeling of genetically modified fruits and vegetables grown in Hawaii, for sale in Hawaii. Known as genetically modified organisms (GMOs), these foods have been altered at the molecular level by scientists using crude technology with limited government oversight.
Down to Earth is opposed to the development of products containing GMOs because we believe they pose health and safety risks and are a potentially dangerous interference in Mother Nature's arrangement. The people of Hawaii and the nation are currently unknowing and unwilling participants in a high stakes and vast scientific experiment. We can only hope that unforeseen consequences will not result from the unnatural genetic manipulation of the nation's and the world's food supply. And that we, the unknowing guinea pigs in this experiment, will not be stricken with new forms of disease, be subjected to new carcinogens, adverse environmental impacts, etc.
We are unknowing participants in this experiment as there are currently no government requirements that foods containing GMOs be labeled. Very few people are aware that they are almost certainly consuming significant amounts of GMOs. As of 2011, 88 percent of U.S. corn is genetically engineered as are 94 percent of soy, 95 percent of sugar beets, 90 percent of canola oil, 90 percent of cotton, and about 80 percent of Hawaiian papaya (Rainbow papayas). Also, this spring marked the first planting of GMO alfalfa.
In 2003 the Grocery Manufacturers Association estimated that GMOs were present in 70 percent to 75 percent of conventional processed food on supermarket shelves. That number is even higher today. Everything including bread, cereal, frozen pizza, soup, soda — all sorts of processed foods — now contain genetically engineered ingredients. Another common source of GMO food is dairy products from cows injected with the genetically modified hormone Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH).
Down to Earth strongly advocates GMO labeling so that individuals can choose whether or not to eat GMOs. The general public when surveyed, repeatedly supports the labeling of GMOs In a poll last year by CBS/NYT, 87 percent of those surveyed wants foods containing GMOs labeled. In a 2007 University of Hawaii survey, Hawaii residents' indicated that they also want to be able to choose whether or not to eat GMOs. More than 90 percent of those surveyed supported the labeling of GM foods, 68 percent indicated that such labeling was needed, and 50 percent felt that not labeling GM food products was a violation of consumers' rights.
Few choices in our daily lives are as important as the foods we choose to buy for ourselves and our families. We believe it is wrong for the government, on the urging of, and in the interests of the large agri-business corporations, to deny consumers the right to know what is in our food. Down to Earth urges the people of Hawaii to support the labeling of foods containing GMOs. The state Legislature should require labeling on foods intentionally produced using genetic engineering, which are grown in Hawaii, for sale in Hawaii.
Hnl Star Adv 2-22-12 oped aalto local food
Show politicians we care about locally grown food Anthony Aalto, Sierra Club Oahu
POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Feb 22, 2012 Share The popularity of locally grown food in Hawaii is booming. Foodland, Whole Foods Market, Kyo-ya Hotels, Subway restaurants all complain that they can't get hold of enough of the stuff our farmers grow. Top restaurateurs like Alan Wong and Ed Kenney and smaller, upcoming places like the Honolulu Burger Co. happily boast about their local ingredients. It's attracted the attention of TV foodies like Andrew Zimmern on the Travel Channel. And two weeks ago, the premiere of the movie "Ingredients," about the Hawaii food farm renaissance and the burgeoning grow-it-at-home movement, attracted nearly 500 people, at $45 a pop.
A December 2011 survey by the Ulupono Initiative concluded that "Consumers across Oahu strongly believe local food is important, they don't think there's enough available; and they are willing to pay more for local food." Indeed a new farmers market seems to open every month. But this boom can't be sustained if we continue to lose our best farmland. In fact, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says we now grow only 8 percent to 10 percent of everything we eat. And that's because since statehood we've paved 53 percent of our prime ag land and development continues apace. People instinctively get the connection. Polls consistently show large majorities want to preserve our remaining prime farmlands and halt urban sprawl — most voters list it as one of their top political concerns. In response, politicians mouth the right words. But in practice they continue to sabotage the public will.
The most recent example: the "purple spot," a proposed industrial complex in the heart of Lualualei Valley, a concept so egregious and unpopular that neither the Land Use Commission nor the Planning Commission would countenance it. But last week six members of the City Council chose to ignore the 433 pieces of testimony sent in a 24-hour period and the 1,327 signatures in opposition and voted to approve the project. All six Council members had received campaign contributions from the three wealthy investors pushing the project. In coming months the Land Use Commission will decide whether to approve billionaire developer Donald Horton's Ho‘opili scheme to plant 11,750 homes on the best food-growing farmland in the state. The commission will also decide whether to approve billionaire David Murdock's scheme to put 5,000 homes on the farmlands of Koa Ridge. Between them, these two projects would pave lands where we currently grow some 40 percent of all the produce grown in the state. This is insanity.
It doesn't have to be this way. Opposition to the developments is growing fast and efforts are mounting to encourage the state and developers to move new housing projects back into the urban core where they belong. Also in coming weeks, a bill introduced by the Ag Hui — proposing to commit the state to double our food production by 2020 and temporarily halt reclassification of ag land if we don't meet that goal — will face vital votes at the state Capitol. But the message from the politicians is clear: They want proof that we care.
So if we really are committed to healthy local food, we need to show our support in a large and significant way. If we can demonstrate that support, we can make sure the right decisions are made for Hawaii. This week we have a chance. Yesterday, a farm tractor convoy through downtown Honolulu coincided with a farmer and anti-GMO rally at the state Capitol. On Saturday, there will be a rally and festival at Kakaako Waterfront Park, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., to celebrate our food and farm revolution and to protest against Ho‘opili. There will be a farmers and artisans market with about 100 booths plus entertainment, hay rides and other activities. Come on down and show you care.