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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, November 10, 2008

COMMENTARY
Genetic engineering ban must not pass

By Lisa H. Gibson

Big Island Mayor Harry Kim recently decided to veto the County Council's bill that would outlaw research or cultivation of genetically engineered coffee or taro on the Big Island. It's a move that the Hawai'i Science & Technology Council supports wholeheartedly.

Native Hawaiians have been among the most innovative people on earth. What is going on now is the emergence of the 21st Century Ahupua'a, a new era with new innovations. The convergence of culture, economic development and science requires civic leadership willing to present clear and credible information to engage communities in discussions on the science, the opportunities and consequences of policy positions. Mayor Kim has demonstrated this caliber leadership in his decision to veto Bill 361.

At the core of growing a science- and tech-based economy is a supportive environment for research, discovery and innovation. HISciTech opposes Bill 361 because this bill is essentially an anti-science bill that does not value innovation and sends a chilling message to any company seeking to do business here. The council's vote is disturbing because it is based on misinformation and it bans all facets of genetic engineering research and development for taro and coffee on Hawai'i Island when, according to many, the issues have been addressed and legislation is not needed.

Never before have science and technology been more important. These are the technologies that will address the sustainability challenges we face with the production of food and fuel and challenges in healthcare while providing Hawai'i's citizens with the opportunity to earn a living wage. A number of studies confirm that these issues are clearly top of mind for Hawai'i residents. According to the winter 2007 and fall 2008 issues of People's Pulse, a study conducted by Ominitrak Research for the Hawai'i Business Roundtable and the Pacific Resource Partnership:

  • Big Island residents had the highest percentage of respondents of any island —35 percent — who cited the economy as the most important issue.

  • 77 percent see technology as a source of higher-paying jobs.

  • 84 percent mention a marketable workforce through education and training as a key to future prosperity.

    If the County Council votes to override the veto of Bill 361 on Thursday it will send a negative message about Hawai'i Island and the state at a time when data tell us that science and tech growth is outperforming the overall economy.

    Here are a few highlights from our recently released report, Innovation and Technology in Hawai'i: An Economic and Workforce Profile:

  • Science and technology companies account for 3.6 percent of the state's employment, or 31,106 jobs.

  • Science and tech contribute approximately $3 billion to the state's economy, or 5 percent of the overall $61 billion economy.

  • However, our tourism sector declined by more than 17 percent in August alone while Hawai'i's science and tech sectors have outperformed growth for the overall economy by nearly 32 percent. It is projected that in the future science and tech will outperform the overall economy by more than 50 percent.

  • The average tech job pays approximately $1,500 more per month than the average non-tech job, or $63,613 per year.

  • On the Big Island, tech jobs comprise 2 percent of the workforce, with the largest opportunities in diversified agriculture, astronomy, energy and aquaculture. These sectors contributed $97.8 million in earnings, or 2.7 percent of the island's total earnings.

  • Last year the average tech working on Hawai'i island earned $51,585 annually, almost 34 percent more than the average worker.

  • The astronomy sector pays the second highest average salary of any tech sector, with salaries averaging nearly $71,000 per year.

    If the County Council decides not to follow the wisdom and leadership of Mayor Kim, it will bode poorly for Hawai'i Island. If passed and enacted, Bill 361 will send a clear signal well beyond the Big Island that the state of Hawai'i is not interested in growing its technology economy, not seeking investment in new companies, not concerned about the flight of kama'aina to the affordable Mainland and doesn't care about a sustainable future for its keiki.

    Lisa H. Gibson is president of the Hawai'i Science & Technology Council and a former member of The Advertiser's Community Editorial Board. She wrote this commentary for The Advertiser.