A “Good Sign” for Maui… 11-4-14…”Proposal to ban GMO crops on Maui passes”

This is great news for Maui. And it indicates that, despite being outspent 133 to 1, the people found their way. Thanks to the SHAKA Movement.

What I also see here is the “oft used phrase by corporations and businesses that are not interested in protecting the environment and practicing Aloha ‘Aina”… “We are deeply concerned for the 600-plus workers and their families, local businesses, farmers and taxpayers that will be negatively impacted”.

Honestly, those types of statements are just smokescreens to try to fool the people into keeping these criminal (to the people and the ‘aina) corporations and businesses going.

As the Kingdom restores itself, these types of companies will leave. They will not have any support to stay here.

“”It’s the triumph of the people over the corporations,” said Mark Sheehan, spokesman for SHAKA Movement, who was at the station. “We’re surprised and delighted and thrilled.”

“Tom Blackburn-Rodriguez, spokesman for the pro-GMO group Citizens Against the Maui County Farming Ban, said in an emailed statement that the group was disappointed by the results, calling the proposal “scientifically unjustified, deeply flawed and irresponsible… We are deeply concerned for the 600-plus workers and their families, local businesses, farmers and taxpayers that will be negatively impacted (by its passage),” the statement said. The group said it represents 6,000 local farmers, scientists, parents, and civic and business groups.

“Sheehan, of the SHAKA Movement, said the vote shows that hard work matters more than money [and] said the opponents outspent supporters by about 130-to-1 in campaign money or about $8 million compared to the $60,000 spent by SHAKA Movement.

“When you have $8 million coming in via corporations, suppressing the vote, confusing people, and you even have the mayor and county officials trying to avoid dealing with this issue — still people were not confused,” Sheehan said. “The people have spoken, and we’re very gratified because of all the hardwork we put into it.””

——————————————————————–

Proposal to ban GMO crops on Maui passes

from SHAKA Movement

A controversial Maui County Charter amendment temporarily banning genetically engineered crops passed Tuesday night, but just barely.

About 50.2 percent of voters — the minimum needed to pass the initiative — voted in favor, while 47.9 percent voted against. Supporters are expecting a lawsuit by corporations opposed to the bill.

The voter initiative divided the community after the group SHAKA Movement collected enough signatures to place the proposal on the ballot. The Charter amendment bans the use of genetically modified organisms unless the companies’ practices are tested and deemed safe.

A crowd of supporters cheered when the results were announced at the Akaku community TV station.

“It’s the triumph of the people over the corporations,” said Mark Sheehan, spokesman for SHAKA Movement, who was at the station. “We’re surprised and delighted and thrilled.”

Tom Blackburn-Rodriguez, spokesman for the pro-GMO group Citizens Against the Maui County Farming Ban, said in an emailed statement that the group was disappointed by the results, calling the proposal “scientifically unjustified, deeply flawed and irresponsible.”

“We are deeply concerned for the 600-plus workers and their families, local businesses, farmers and taxpayers that will be negatively impacted (by its passage),” the statement said. The group said it represents 6,000 local farmers, scientists, parents, and civic and business groups.

The statement thanked the thousands of supporters, volunteers and agricultural advocates “who over the past months tirelessly spread the word about the initiative’s devastating consequences to their friends and neighbors in the community.”

Opponents of the bill claim federal regulatory agencies have deemed GMOs safe. Supporters, however, worry that chemical companies developing seed in Hawaii are spraying chemicals near neighborhoods, schools and waterways, posing health risks to neighboring communities.

Only 840 votes separated the opposing sides out of 44,454 votes. About the same number of voters — 857 — left the question blank on their ballot.

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa said Tuesday night when results showed the initiative faltering that the bill was “put together badly.” He could not be reached comment later.

Sheehan, of the SHAKA Movement, said the vote shows that hard work matters more than money.

Sheehan said the opponents outspent supporters by about 130-to-1 in campaign money or about $8 million compared to the $60,000 spent by SHAKA Movement.

“When you have $8 million coming in via corporations, suppressing the vote, confusing people, and you even have the mayor and county officials trying to avoid dealing with this issue — still people were not confused,” Sheehan said. “The people have spoken, and we’re very gratified because of all the hardwork we put into it.”