The Shaka Movement has organized the folks in Maui County to gather 10,000 signatures for a County initiative to ban GMOs in Maui County until an environmental study can prove their safety.
In response, the GMO-Chemical corporations have created a plethora of astroturf organizations to promulgate their talking points. These GMO industry and front groups include (but are not limited to)
- Hawaii Farmers and Ranchers United (a sneaky name since it confuses people with the Hawaii Farmers Union United which is a real farmer's organization)
- Hawaii Crop Improvement Association
- Farmers 4 Choice
And, of course, we have The Genetic Literacy Project and other national GMO-Chemical companies descending on our state.
According to lead organizer, Mark Sheehan, the 45 day window for the County of Maui Clerk to verify signatures is up this week. During the review, petitioners have continued to gather signatures and hope to have another 4,000 ready if the County invalidates too many.
To go on the ballot the petition must have 20% of the number of voters in the last election - that's 8,500 registered voters.
We should have word next week on whether enough signatures have been certified.
Meanwhile Na Maka o ka `Aina (The Eyes of the Land) which has for many years made films about Hawaiian culture, has made the following video for Earth Justice.