The Kalo GMO Debate Part 2-Genetic Science

Written by Sunrise on KGMB9 - sunrise@kgmb9.com

April 17, 2008 08:30 AM

Hawaiian

Aloha kakahiaka kākou.

I loko o kēia mau makahiki i hala iho nei, ua ʻike nō kākou i ke emi ʻana mai o ka ʻoihana mahi kalo. A ma muli hoʻi o kēia, ke ʻimi nei nā kānaka ʻepekema o ke kulanui o Hawaiʻi ma Mānoa i ke kālailai ōewe ʻia o kēia meakanu laʻa loa i ka Hawaiʻi.

He mōʻaukala lōʻihi nō ko ke Kōleke Mahiʻai ma Mānoa ma ke kākoʻo ʻana i ka ʻoihana mahi kalo.

"That is something that is very, very close to us. When I was a kid in Waiheʻe, Maui, my dad had taro fields." [Dr. Andrew Hashimoto, Luna Hoʻokele, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources]

ʻOiai ua ʻaelike nā mea noiʻi i ke kālailai ōewe ʻole ʻia o ke kalo Hawaiʻi, hopohopo nā mahi kalo kuʻuna i ka hoʻohuikau ʻia o nā ehupua.

“Akā, ʻaʻole lākou ʻike. Ke hoʻokuʻu ʻia, pau.” [Kaipoʻi Kelling, Mahi Kalo]

ʻOiai kālele ana nā kānaka noiʻi ma ke kūpale i ka maʻi, nānā ana kekahi o nā mahi kalo i ke kumu i nāwaliwali mua ai.

"Inā hana ʻoe pēlā, kēia makahiki, kēlā makahiki, kēia kau, kēlā kau, ma laila ka pilikia."

"But if you say you cannot work at all in terms of the genetic work of this one plant, then I think you really limit the potential for solutions."

He mea nui nō ke kalo iā kākou ma Hawaiʻi. He ʻai ʻono loa a he mea laʻa kekahi i ka poʻe Hawaiʻi. He mahalo hou kēia iā ʻoukou e ka poʻe e ʻimi ana i ka pono ma kēia pōʻaiapili.

Ke aloha.

English

Aloha kakahiaka kākou.

We have seen a significant decrease in the kalo industry in the recent past. And because of this, researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa are looking to genetic testing as a means to strengthen the plant and increase yield.

The College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources has a long history of researching kalo to support the farming industry and help increase crop yield.

"That is something that is very, very close to us. When I was a kid in Waiheʻe, Maui, my dad had taro fields." [Dr. Andrew Hashimoto, Luna Hoʻokele, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources]

While researchers have agreed to test only non-Hawaiian kalo, the concern from traditional kalo farmers is cross-pollination.

The likelihood is miniscule.

"But do they really know. Once it is released, that's it." [Kaipoʻi Kelling, Mahi Kalo]

While research is focused on changing the makeup of the plant itself, some farmers look instead to reason the plant is weakened in the first place.

"If you continue to plant the same variety, the same way, the same place, every year, every single season, that's the problem. Of course the plant will be weak."

"But if you say you cannot work at all in terms of the genetic work of this one plant, then I think you really limit the potential for solutions."

The kalo is important to us here in Hawaiʻi. It is a delicious food and is very significant to our Hawaiian people and culture. Mahalo again to all who are working to do what is best for the kalo community.

Aloha.