Hawai'i is ground zero for the AgriChemical/GMO corporations like Monsanto, Syngenta, Dow and DuPont. These corporations use our islands to experiment with new pesticides and GMO seeds.
On Moloka'i the situation is complicated by Monsanto being the biggest employer on an island. Moloka'i is 38 by 10 mile island with a population of 7,400. Sixty percent identify themselves as Hawaiian or Part-Hawaiian.
Mercy Ritte, a 29 year old mother living a mile from Monsanto's corn fields, became concerned after her toddler son became ill with a cough after a heavy dust storm blew over her home from Monsanto's fields.
Monsanto refused to disclose to her what chemicals they were spraying and what might have caused her son's illness.
So she became the Moloka'i Mom on a Mission and started protests against Monsanto. More and more concerned moms joined. She joined up with Hawai'i Seed to promote more sustainable farming in Hawai'i.
This gave birth to The Mom Hui and soon there were chapters on Kaua'i, Oahu, Maui, Moloka'i and the Big Island.
"What We Love, We Will Protect!"
The Moms On a Mission Hui (The MOM Hui) is a statewide, grassroots group of proactive mothers and supporters that was established to raise awareness on the potential health and environmental risks of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), to advocate for protecting the health and well being of their children, and to support local, organic food and safe farming practices.
Currently pressing issues include defending the Kaua'i Pesticide Disclosure ordinance from a
lawsuit filed by Syngenta, Dow and DuPont, passing a similar ordinance in
Maui County (Moloka'i island is part of Maui County) and fighting off potential efforts of the Hawai'i State Legislature to pre-empt County ordinances.
Want to support The Mom Hui and Mercy's work? Donate here.
