Research into genetically modified taro — or kalo in the Hawaiian language — has been conducted in a laboratory setting for about three years. That research initially involved work on the Maui Lehua variety of taro, but now is limited to the Chinese Bun Long taro, said C.Y. Hu, associate dean and associate director for research at the UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources UH has no plans to to proceed with genetic research on local taro, but won't rule out the possibility.

"We're not going to support a moratorium, but we do need to take into consideration their feelings," Hu said. "So we are proposing to form a forum.

"We did some work (on Hawaiian taro), but we stopped because it was scientifically unfeasible."

Genetic crop research has increasingly become a controversial topic. Since 1995 UH also has conducted research on genetically modified pineapples intended to be resistant to nematodes and mealybugs while flowering uniformly.

However, research into taro has touched a nerve among some as being disrespectful to Native Hawaiian culture.

The debate about taro research occurs at a time when taro for poi production ran 24 percent below five-year averages through the first quarter, according to the Hawaii Agricultural Statistics Service. Production during the first quarter was 7 percent below the year-ago period, mainly because of unfavorable weather. However growers also periodically face lower yields caused by fungal diseases and apple snails.

The university's current taro project involves inserting genes from grapevine and wheat into Chinese taro to improve fungal disease resistance.

Sen. Clayton Hee, D-23rd (Kane'ohe, Kahuku), said the university has legitimate reasons to pursue such research, but also needs to be sensitive to public concerns.

"The university wants the research and academic freedom to pursue science and that is one of the reasons for the university," said Hee, chairman of the Higher Education Committee. "The staple of Hawai'i is poi and we go through these stages in the year (when there are poi shortages). In fact, we're in one now (because of demand from graduation parties)."

As the university proceeds with research, it needs to collect community input through groups such as the proposed forum on genetic taro research, Hee said.

"To me it's a real victory for both the university ... and the community," he said.