Friday, November 9, 2012

Musings: Biotech Boosters

As I reported in the current issue of Honolulu Weekly, the Hawaii biotech industry is gearing up for the legislative session with an essay contest that aims to enlist the support of American farmers who believe they have benefitted from genetically modified crops.

The contest is sponsored by the Hawaii Crop Improvement Assn., which noted on its website:

[T]he greatest risk to the viability of seed operations in Hawaii is an anti-GMO climate of extremism by activists who have a philosophical and religious opposition to the science.

To counter that opposition, which thus far has gained little traction in a state Legislature already well-padded with biotech campaign contributions, HCIA is sponsoring the essay contest. Five winners will get a free, one-week trip to Hawaii for two.

The farmers must take their trips, valued at $5,000 each, in late February, which just so happens to be when the legislative session is in full swing. The farmers must also agree to “spend some of their time in the islands speaking personally about their stories to business leaders, lawmakers and the media.”

So what, exactly, is the HCIA? According to its website, its members include Dow AgroScience, Monsanto, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Syngenta and BASF.

With a line up like that, it's not surprising to find such “breaking news” nuggets as “Genetically Modified Crops are Safe and Environmentally Friendly” posted on the website.

Of course, not everyone agrees with that assessment, including the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, which recently ordered the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to halt the planting of all genetically engineered crops on refuges in the Southeast Region. The court found the agency's finding of no significant impact (FONSI) was "capricious and arbitrary."

Additionally, the FWS must monitor all planted areas for three years to eradicate any “volunteers,” and provide the public with information on what crops were planted where, and which pesticides were used.

As a press release from the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), Center for Food Safety (CFS) and Beyond Pesticides notes:

This latest decision caps a series of lawsuits rolling back approvals for GE crops on 75 national wildlife refuges across 30 states.  In March 2009, the same groups won a similar lawsuit against GE plantings on Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Delaware.  In 2011, the groups forced a legal settlement ending GE planting on refuges throughout the 12-state Northeast Region.  Litigation over GE crops on refuges in the Midwest Region is still ongoing.  The same groups have petitioned the Secretary of the Interior to prohibit the practice on refuges nationwide.

In other news, I'm hearing from political insiders that KipuKai Kualii lost the Council race because of his vocal support for repealing Act 55, which created the Public Land Development Corp. (PLDC).

Word is that powerful forces in the Democratic Party are stifling calls for a repeal because the state is in desperate need of cash. Further, since much of the Neighbor Island political opposition focuses on the issue of home rule, the first projects likely to be advanced will be on Oahu, around the rail stations, as Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz initially proposed, and in Kakaako, where Gov. Abercrombie has development plans and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs now owns land.

Interestingly, westside Rep. Dee Morikawa was quoted in The Garden Island's post-election coverage saying she plans to work for the repeal of Act 55. She voted for the bill in the last session:

It’s too broad,” Morikawa said. “I’m not going to support it as is.”

Will Dee be punished for that position when the House leadership — as in Speaker Calvin Say, who opposes a repeal — makes Committee appointments? Not that the West Kauai rep wields any power in the state Lege....

Meanwhile, as The Garden Island reports today, Mayor Bernard Carvalho does not support a repeal of Act 55. Instead, he advocates amending the law to remove some of the kinks.

His rationale, as articulated by County Managing Director Gary Heu:

By having additional funding source for the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, he said, it takes some pressure off the state General Fund and reduces the chance of the state taking away the counties’ share of the Transient Accommodation Tax. For the county of Kaua‘i, the TAT is its second largest source of revenue after real property taxes.

Sen. President Shan Tsutsui said in September he will introduce two bills, one to repeal Act 55 and another to narrow its scope. Given House Speaker Say's resistance, it's unlikely that a bill to repeal will advance.

Because although there has been some public outcry against the PLDC, it's not exactly the kind of groundswell that will sway lawmakers recently returned to office. It's more likely that opposition will coalesce around a particular project, rather than the law itself. So the PLDC board may be able to diffuse some critics by starting with proposals that the population base on Oahu finds palatable.

Meanwhile, I'm hearing that a court challenge is planned by the Sierra Club.

35 comments:

Anonymous said...

Kipu Kai, the advocate for our Hawaiian culture and people, did not make the Council because of you and your messages and this blog! You hurt him badly! You associated him with the people who care about OUR people, the people you personally don't like and don't agree with. It's really sad that so many local citizens choose not to vote! We need to get them to the polls. Too many outsiders trying to create a new Kauai.

Anonymous said...

Too many angry people visit this website, makes me worry about this island and its people! Let's live pono!

Anonymous said...

No registered voter on Kauai is an "outsider"!

Anonymous said...

Kipu Kai did not make the Council because of Kipu Kai. His obvious favoritism toward the witch dragged him down on his own. And, sure, let's just let the "insiders" decide who our leaders are -- they've done such a fabulous job so far.

Anonymous said...

It's hypocritical to say so many outsiders are embarking on creating a new Kauai and yet as we read the garden island newspaper and read that the Mayor and his admin does not support repealing act 55. So who I selling out who and who is going to pocket a boat load I cash and whose unqualified family members are gonna get jobs with hefty pays.

Anonymous said...

This blog, with many untrue comments, has done a lot of harm, sadness and injury for several people i know. i was told to check out this blog to discover things that are being said about others here on the island.
For those of you who have not gone out to find facts and turn out hurtful words by way of rumor, don't forget about karma-----you already have been checked out by the Great Mystery! Live pono!
And watch the "witch", keep up with what she does, the truth will set you on a new path!

Anonymous said...

Yo 12:02, the truth will set you (and yours)free. Can't handle the truth? Aue.

Anonymous said...

I was right! Read what anonymous said at 11:33--this blog has a lot to do with the results of the Council's new members and the prosecutor. I believe that the intent of this blog was to slander people as a means to an end! By the way, check the facts on Mel too, he isn't what this blog says he is.

Anonymous said...

Mel is exactly what this blog has said he is -- a double dipper who was getting $ from the OPA while voting favorably for Shay and her office.

Don't try to distort the truth. The truth will set YOU on a new path.

Anonymous said...

what is the truth?

Anonymous said...

Justin's in; Shay's out. Good riddance Shay. Let's give Justin a chance same as we gave Shay a chance when she started as Prosecutor.

Anonymous said...

Joan Conrow has done more for native Hawaiians than Shaylene ever did by putting them in jail.

Anonymous said...

Kipukai should have voted independently on the council - instead of just following Mel and backing Shaylene.

Anonymous said...

Yeah Melvin Rapozo is a lot worse than anyone would believe him to be. The dirty little secrets will eventually be revealed just like that protect a criminal program called pohaku.

Anonymous said...

You're right, we will give Kollar a chance, but you didn't have to say good riddance to Shaylene----this is what i mean, you people are so nasty, mean spirited, not good for me---i will not revisit this blog again!

Live pono, Bless you, open your heart and feel what you are capable of doing----you will get what you give!

Anonymous said...

I agree. The vindictive, suspicious, name-calling, downright nasty stuff is appalling. That often seems to be the nature of this blog. Sad. Very sad.

Anonymous said...

It's the nature of life on Kauai ESPECIALLY in politics.

Anonymous said...

Kipukai should have been given a chance. He was learning and took good stands on many issues. I hope he runs again.

Anonymous said...

I'm so damn glad I chose another island in Hawaii to live!!

Anonymous said...

We are too!!!

Anonymous said...

This blog is nasty if you're a corrupt politician or an okole kissing minion of a corrupt politician or a deputy blogger who gets max full time pay for doing who knows what or a first deputy who lacks the fortitude to tell his boss that she's making some serious errors in judgment. Other than that, it's very pleasant. Mahalo, Joan.

Anonymous said...

Kipukai may not have gotten in because he is Hawaiian.

These islands do not like Hawaiians. Especially that thing that calls himself a governor does NOT like Hawaiians.

Anonymous said...

Seems to me the "good ole boys" club has been running this island for awhile allowing big developments to thrive while communities like Koloa are dying. Look at all the "rich" farms at Kealia!

Its always easy to blame the "outsiders" and "haoles" when you cannot look in the mirror and say.....I voted for these corrupt local politicians.

Blame yourselves!

Ignorance is bliss. Mis-information about the safety of GM foods is fueled by lots of MONEY and not the grass roots people, nor good for the people...nor real science. GM soy produced sterile pigs. Eat up, it might be cheaper than birth control or abortions.

These companies want to control the worlds food. They only care to make us dependent upon the chemicals (which they sell) to control weeds and parasites and make more MONEY. Where do those chemicals go when it rains?
Into our streams and oceans....and the fish, shell fish, and lobster we catch and eat. Like eat?

Yes, its time for some ho opono pono.

Dr Shibai

Anonymous said...

It's not the end of the world for Shay. She will comeback. Same goes for Kipukai. We can't deny that. 2014 is just around the corner.

Anonymous said...

Bernard is a big fool. ALWAYS thought that.

Never did an ounce of thinking on his own.

Anonymous said...

Well Dr Shibai, do you or did you have any substitute candidates in mind that we should or should have voted for?

Is there any choice?

Hawaii has had a history of extremely illiterate governors.
Lingle has no qualifications to speak of.

Yukimura, nakamura, kagawa, on and on and on and I am sick of it.
Only reason Kualii didnʻt get back in becasue he is Hawaiian.

Period.

Anonymous said...

Gee Anonymous said...
I'm so damn glad I chose another island in Hawaii to live!!
November 10, 2012 8:22 AM
Anonymous Anonymous said...
We are too!!!
November 10, 2012 9:26 AM

Must be so much fun over there what are you doing trolling all over Joanʻs kauai blog.
Get a life. Jacket.

Anonymous said...

The Labyrinth is where the sun rises and the stoned ape rests. This is where you will find what you are looking for and who you seek.

One Nation One Law 50 said...

I voted for seven candidates including some with native Hawaiian ancestry. Kipu Kai did not get my vote because he was Hawaiian but because he supported a corrupt and racist prosecutor. It was a hard choice because on other issues he was spot on. My support for any candidate is not made on the basis of their race or heritage but on what I believe they will do once in office for all the citizens of Kauai. It would be nice if we had a large slate of candidates to choose from in the next election and some fresh faces.

Anonymous said...

In this mornings TGI letters to the editor our Mayor says "It is my belief that we should first attempt to collaborate and find a compromise solution for the PLDC that meets the needs and addresses the concerns of all involved. We are actively working with our State delegation and others on options to consider in order to reach that goal."

Anonymous said...

"Actively working with our state delegation..." says the Mayor. Hell, these are the same guys that created the PLDC in the first place. Tokioka and Kouchi sat on the final conference committee that approved taking out neighbor-island representation on the board and exempting all pldc projects from all county land use laws. Yep. I gotta lot of confidence that these guys will do the right thing.

Anonymous said...

Compromise is not acceptable.
If the Mayor does not understand the legal ramifications of what he is entertaining, heʻs dangerous.

Analogy, let someone live just long enough to say their last words before you murder them.

Anonymous said...

I tried to told you about Kouchi, Tokioka, and Kawakami as sell outs and not good for Kauai. We need moral men and women to represent Kauai. These guys are the worst possible human beings to be in office for Kauai. They are reflections of Shayme the FORMER corrupt PA of Kauai!

Anonymous said...

Well then should we take them out one at a time? Shayme is out now who is next to go in 2014?

Anonymous said...

To go next in 2014? Tokioka - a must.