Big Isle panel wants taro, coffee genes left alone
Associated Press
KAILUA-KONA » A Hawaii County Council committee is unanimously recommending that the county ban genetically modified coffee and taro.
The Council's Environmental Management Committee sent a bill on the issue to the full Council with a positive recommendation.
Council Vice Chairman Angel Pilago represents North Kona and introduced the bill.
It calls for criminal prosecution of anyone who brings in and grows the genetically modified plants.
The Council has already passed a resolution he introduced asking the state Legislature to prohibit genetically modified taro and coffee. That measure failed in the state Legislature earlier this year.
Pilago says the bill protects cultural practices as well as the taro and coffee industries.