We don’t mean sex, drugs and surf babes (sorry, sorry, that’ll be a future post). We mean chicks, as in chickens. If you live Kauai, you gots. And when momma has babies and they make a home in your garden and you’re a bleeding’ heart who can’t help but fall in love with their chirpy poofy fluff, and you want them to stay so they don’t get eaten in the cruel harsh world by the feral cats, well, you need to supplement their diet so you still have some veggies left for yourself. These wild chicks realize they’re not supposed to be doing this, but are so excited about the hemp seeds they can’t help themselves.
Yesterday concluded two day’s worth of testimony to restrict genetically modified organisms on Hawai’i Island. Though ironically the initial impetus in genetically engineered foods began there with the GM papaya, the Big Island – unlike all the other Hawai’i Islands – has not yet been inundated with GMO farms. (For more about the topic, read this recent Huffington Post article “GMO & Pesticide Experiments in Hawai’i: The Poisoning of Paradise” on the precarious situation.) This may be due in part to the lack of soil there, as well as the fact the people have been so diligent in fighting against it, particularly with coffee and taro – but it’s only a matter of time if it’s not stopped now.
A large number of people, from all islands, turned out both pro and con for Bill 79, with lots of informed testimony. This could have some implications on other anti-GMO bills on the table in Hawai’i, including Bill 2491 on Kauai. An overwhelming majority of the public favored the Bill, while pretty much everyone speaking out against it either farms GMOs, works for GMO companies, or are bought for and paid by GMO companies. Opposers to the bill seemed oddly misinformed, not just about GE crops, but about the bill itself, which includes exemptions for existing GMOs – like papaya – already on the island.
Here are a few testimonies that should go viral. Check out Big Island Video News for more of the proceedings.
Kealoha Sugiyama’s testimony was a crowd favorite – see why:
Comedian and organic farmer Aunty Granny Roseanne Barr was front and center. She grabbed her balls (or nuts) a few times at the meeting (symbolically), offering some help to the current GMO farmers on the Big Island, “Everybody here is very giving, and they would bend over backwards to burn those papayas and grow something decent.”
A pretty good timeline of the GMO fight in Hawai’i*, leading up to Bill 79:
The food fight will continue July 30th, Tuesday at 9AM in the Kona Council Chambers (we find this very curious, as the next date for the Kauai Bill 2491 Public Hearing is July 31st, which would obviously make it more difficult for activists, organic farmers, etc. to attend both. Hmmm.)
From Babes Against Biotech:
Hawaii County Bill 79 to ban GMOs is recessed until July 30, 9AM in Kona Council Chambers…. Wille will introduce a stronger draft with less holes and exemptions which biotech could enter below the radar upon. Ilagan stated he plans to introduce an amendment as well, which will be upon the original draft as Willes’ final amend[ed] version will not be available until then…. [After] which case the Council will have to agree upon a version in discussion of multiple proposed amendments. Be on the lookout, reach out to your Hawaii Councilmembers.
One of the perks of living Hawai’i is that even though everything is extra-expensive, the people who visit here are extra rich. They visit year round and often stay in houses or condos. They stock up the fridge and bar, and then leave before they finish it all. You may not find a huge selection of job opportunities here, you may have to live at home with your parents just to survive, but there are perks to being a housecleaner, vacation rental manager, hotel security, even a surf instructor. The last goodie bag, er, box we ended up with included about $300 in alcohol. (Note: Some bottles not shown due to drinking too much. ;P )
Sooo, at the end of your next Hawai’i vacation, if you have any left over booze, we’d love to take care of it for you – drop us a line! We’re here to help.
Coconut Girl Wireless 