Supporters of legislation that would prevent scientists from genetically modifying the taro plant showed up at the state Capitol today for the opening day of the Legislature. GREGORY YAMAMOTO | The Honolulu Advertiser

Genetic engineering of any plant has been controversial, but some native Hawaiians take particular issue with inserting unrelated genes into the culturally significant taro plant.

Experts in taro, plant pathology and genetic engineering, meanwhile, are across the street at the YWCA explaining how research in creating disease-resistant strains of taro could protect against devastating blights and fungi and could provide enough protection for traditional Hawaiian and organic strains of taro.