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Hawaii’s Spike In Birth Defects Puts Focus On GM Crops

August 24, 2015 Christopher Pala, www.theguardian.com , , ,
By Christopher Pala in The Guardian - In Kauai, chemical companies Dow, BASF, Syngenta and DuPont spray 17 times more pesticide per acre (mostly herbicides, along with insecticides and fungicides) than on ordinary cornfields in the US mainland, according to the most detailed study of the sector, by the Center for Food Safety. That’s because they are precisely testing the strain’s resistance to herbicides that kill other plants. About a fourth of the total are called Restricted Use Pesticidesbecause of their harmfulness. Just in Kauai, 18 tons – mostly atrazine, paraquat (both banned in Europe) and chlorpyrifos – were applied in 2012. The World Health Organization this year announced that glyphosate, sold as Roundup, the most common of the non-restricted herbicides, is “probably carcinogenic in humans”.

Protests To Stop TPP By Land And Sea

July 28, 2015 Flush The TPP!, www.flushthetpp.org , , ,
By Flush The TPP! - Hundreds of local residents and representatives from international advocacy groups are gathering on the shore of Kā‘anapali Coast to express their opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) because it would sacrifice fundamental protections for public health, the environment, local jobs, and indigenous rights in order to enrich a few major corporations. “The TPP is a threat to our sovereignty as Native Hawaiians, and as human beings,” said Kaleikoa Ka‘eo, professor of Hawaiian Studies at the University of Hawai‘i. “This secret trade agreement would allow corporations to control decisions about how we live without any accountability to us, the people of this land. We call on everyone who cares about the environment, public health, jobs, and basic human rights for Hawaiians and all people to join us on Wednesday for a gathering on Kā‘anapali Beach.”

Corporate Trojan Horse Comes To Hawaii

July 19, 2015 Andrea Bower, www.hawaiiindependent.net ,
By Andrea Bower, for the Hawaii Independent - The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is a massive international treaty being negotiated, in secret, by 12 Pacific Rim countries, side-by-side with 500 corporate advisers. After five years, they are aiming to wrap-up the deal on Maui at the end of this month. Meetings with Chief Negotiators begin July 24, followed by what they hope will be the final Trade Ministers meeting from July 28-31. Both the Westin and Hyatt Regency in Lahaina are reportedly hosting the meetings. Hawaii has been a favorite location for several of these high-security meetings because it is geographically isolated, seemingly far away from mass protests that might disrupt their agenda.

Protests Planned For TPP Ministerial Meeting In Hawaii

July 18, 2015 Mackenzie McDonald Wilkins, www.flushthetpp.org , , , ,
By Mackenzie McDonald Wilkins in Flush the TPP - In less than two weeks, from July 28-31, “the United States will host a meeting of Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Trade Ministers in Maui, Hawaii, preceded by a meeting of TPP Chief Negotiators from July 24-27” (USTR). People in Hawaii are leading the charge to organize protests in opposition to the meetings. The protests will educate and unite people on Hawaii against corporate imperial “trade” deals that will threaten indigenous sovereignty on the island, increase the use of GMO crops, diminish worker rights, and reward multinationals that pollute the environment on the islands and around the world. There will also be solidarity actions across the country. Many of the countries involved in the TPP negotiations are ready to close the deal, despite major concerns from other countries.

Hawaii’s GMO Ban Struck Down

July 2, 2015 Chelsea Davis, www.hawaiinewsnow.com , ,
By Chelsea Davis in Hawaii News Now - Anti-GMO activists, who celebrated when the moratorium passed in November, are now vowing to keep fighting after a judge invalidated the ban on Tuesday. The ruling means the county law does not supersede state and federal laws that allow genetically engineered crops. "This is really an unprecedented event that just happened and the people of Maui should be outraged over what's going on," said Michael Carroll, lawyer for the anti-GMO group The SHAKA Movement. Carroll says big agriculture companies spent millions to beat the 23,000 people who voted for the moratorium. "I think it sends a message to the Maui voters that they're vote does not mean anything," Carroll said.

Workers Turn Around Due To Protesters On Mauna Kea

June 25, 2015 Mileka Lincoln, www.hawaiinewsnow.com , , ,
By Mileka Lincoln in Hawaii News Now - After a seven-hour demonstration, Hawaii DLNR (Department of Land and Natural Resources) agents just informed the hundreds of protesters on Mauna Kea that officers and TMT workers will turn around and no longer ask anyone to leave. No further arrests will be made today, they say. Protesters began lining up early Wednesday morning to prevent construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on the on the summit of Mauna Kea. A total of eleven people were arrested, and the TMT crew made it about 1.5 miles up the seven-mile road. In all, more than 700 people gathered to stand in what they say is protection of a sacred Native Hawaiian space.

Hawaii Groups Plant Coconut Trees, Protest Against Monsanto

May 25, 2015 Cathy Bussewitz, www.utsandiego.com , , ,
Demonstrators spent Saturday planting coconut trees and waving signs in rallies across the Hawaiian Islands as part of an international day of protests against agriculture business Monsanto. The protesters complained about the impacts that companies like Monsanto have on the community when they spray fields with chemical pesticides. They say they want agribusiness companies to stop using Hawaii as a testing ground for pesticides and genetically modified foods. "Get off the island," said Diane Marshall, a Honolulu teacher. "I would like to see them close up shop." In Waikiki, a man wore a gas mask in front of a statue of surfer Duke Kahanamoku to demonstrate the dangers of pesticides. Others in bikinis talked with tourists about why they don't want genetically modified goods to be grown in Hawaii.

Hawaiians Protest Chemical Poisons Sprayed In Their Communities

May 18, 2015 Mike Ludwig, www.truth-out.org , , ,
For the past three years, a growing coalition of activists and civic leaders on Kaua'i has been battling Syngenta and three other agrichemical companies - BASF, DuPont Pioneer and Dow AgroSciences - over toxic pesticides the companies spray as they field test and produce genetically engineered seeds, which are also known as genetically modified organisms or GMOs. The four companies spray thousands of gallons of pesticides labeled "restricted use" by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at their farms and test plots on Kaua'i each year. At least five of the 22 restricted-use pesticide formulas used on the island contain chemicals that have been banned in Switzerland due to environmental and human health concerns, but are perfectly legal in the United States as long as they are applied by licensed workers.

31 Arrested On Mauna Kea, Mauna Kea Hui Responds

May 7, 2015 Big Island Video News, www.bigislandvideonews.com , , ,
There are no words… we are deeply deeply saddened by the arrests today of our Hawaiian brothers and sisters and other citizens who were peacefully protecting Mauna Kea from further desecration while we wait for Hawaiʻi’s courts to hear our appeal. In aloha we’ve directly sought the help of Governor Ige, Hawaiʻi Island Mayor Kenoi, University of Hawaiʻi President Lassner and Hawaiʻi County Prosecutor Roth. But so far none of them have stepped forward to intervene on our behalf. Last night we were informed by the Governor’s Chief of Staff that there was ‘too much construction company money at stake” for us to expect Governor Ige to use his executive authority to hold off construction until our appeal can be heard by the State Supreme Court.

Mauna Kea Telescope Protest

April 3, 2015 Kamahana Kealoha, www.islandbreath.blogspot.com , ,
Today marked the sixth day and sixth night since a group of Kanaka Maoli warriors representing several islands in the Hawaiian Islands and a multi-ethnic group of supporters formed a blockade at 9,000 feet above sea level at Mauna Kea also known as Mauna A Wakea on Hawaiʻi Island. They are protesting the construction of a 30-meter telescope (TMT), which they say is a desecration of the most sacred place in the Hawaiian Islands. The peaceful protest has been ongoing for several years but in the past several months has gathered more momentum and support from Hawaiians and other non-Hawaiians around the world. Today also marked the first day that TMT workers showed up since the protest began six days and six nights ago.

Hawaiian Activists Block Illegal Construction On Sacred Mountain

February 16, 2015 Christina Rose, www.indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com , ,
On Tuesday, October 7, at the base of Mauna Kea, the world's tallest mountain, close to 200 activists joined in prayer, to preserve Hawai’i’ s most sacred place. The groundbreaking ceremony came to a dead halt when Joshua Lanakila Mangauil, a Native Hawaiian cultural practitioner, and other supporters made their way to the top of the mountain. Mangauil, who can be seen in the video below, stormed the ceremony unexpectedly and denounced the actions taking place. Mangauil’s impassioned pleas, among others, halted the events. Later, Mangauil said he wished it had gone differently. “It got to a boiling point that led to shutting the whole thing down. I hope we did the right thing, there were a lot of words,” he said.

Maui Votes To Ban GMO Farming

November 7, 2014 Anitea Hofschneider, www.civilbeat.com , , ,
A Maui County ballot initiative to temporarily ban genetically engineered crops narrowly passed Tuesday following one of the most heavily financed political campaigns in state history. The controversial measure pulled ahead late Tuesday, passing 50 percent to 48 percent — a difference of just 1,077 votes. It was a stunning turnaround after the measure was initially losing by 19 percent when the first results rolled in. The county’s first-ever ballot initiative targeting global agriculture companies Monsanto and Dow AgroSciences attracted nearly $8 million from opponents, making it the most expensive campaign in Hawaii’s history. Opponents outspent advocates more than 87 to 1, according to the latest campaign spending reports available Tuesday. That amounts to more than $300 for every “no” vote.

Liberate Hawai’i! Asserts Claim To Sovereignty

June 11, 2014 Rivera Sun, www.PopularResistance.org
Jon Olsen's book, Liberate Hawai'i!, is a slender volume that packs a strong punch. Repudiating the grade school assumptions of the average American citizen, he dispels myths about how the geographic area of Hawai'i came to be considered a part of the United States. A compelling read for activists, organizers, and ordinary citizens alike, Liberate Hawai'i! proposes that the islands of Hawai'i became a territory of the United States not by choice, treaty or negotiation, but at the gunpoint of an Anglo coup d’état, and that the sovereign nation of the Kingdom of Hawai'i remains, to this day, in existence.

Does Kingdom Of Hawaii Still Exist?

May 29, 2014 Australia Network News, www.abc.net.au , ,
The CEO of the Hawaiian Affairs Office (OHA) has retained his job and gained public support to challenge the US on whether the Kingdom of Hawaii still exists as a sovereign country. Kamanaopono Crabbe sparked an internal crisis when he sent a letter to US Secretary of State John Kerry, asking for a ruling on whether the Kingdom of Hawaii still legally exists. The letter, which was quickly rescinded by the OHA's trustees, was prompted by the US Government's acknowledgment that the overthrow of the kingdom in 1893 was illegal. Political scientist Dr Keanu Sai, from Windward Communtiy College in Honolulu, told Pacific Beat the OHA board thought Dr Crabbe had violated their policy by sending the letter without approval, but later realised they were mistaken. "[Dr Crabbe] was not in violation of any policy of the board but rather was operating on his diligence and risk management," Dr Sai said. Mr Crabbe has now won the support of the OHA trustees, who have moved to send the letter again and retain him in his role as CEO. "They're in full support and they say that his questions definitely do have merit."

Hawaii Protest Declares Anti-GMO ‘Tsunami’ Is Here

December 17, 2013 Lauren McCauley, www.commondreams.org , ,
Braving heavy rains, roughly one thousand Hawaiians traveled to the town of Hale‘iwa on the North Shore of Oahu Sunday to take part in a march against Monsanto, adding their support to the growing "tsunami" against genetically modified (GM) crops. The Aloha Aina (or "Love of the Land") March, organized by a number of environmental and community groups, was called to celebrate some regional successes against the biotech industry and to raise awareness of the fight, calling on Hawaiian landowners to join the movement and "evict Monsanto." "For over 20 years, Hawaii has been the global center for the open-field testing of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)," writes the group Hawaii GMO Justice. Oahu's North Shore, more commonly recognized for its international surfing competitions, is also where biotech companies farm thousands of acres of crop land. World-renowned surfers Kelly Slater and John John Florence joined the Sunday protest along with notable actress and environmental activist Daryl Hannah.
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