Searching for a balance between cultural tradition and science, the state House Agriculture Committee yesterday approved a bill that would impose a five-year moratorium on genetic experimentation with Hawaiian taro but would allow research into other varieties of the tropical plant.

Many farmers who consider taro a sacred part of Hawaiian culture want at least a 10-year moratorium, if not an outright ban, because of the potential threat of cross-pollination with genetically modified varieties. But scientists argue that genetic experimentation could eventually prevent diseases and help preserve taro as a crop.

State Rep. Clifton Tsuji, D-3rd (S. Hilo, Puna, Kea'au), the committee's chairman, described the bill as a compromise that recognizes the cultural significance of taro and the importance of scientific advancement.

"This bill illustrates that we really recognize the importance of the cultural relationship between taro and the Native Hawaiian community, while also assuring that, here in Hawai'i, we recognize the agriculture industry and that we can still pursue and utilize biotechnology as an alternative method, and that we continue what we consider valuable scientific research," he said after the committee vote.

The House is expected to approve the bill. It would be sent back to the state Senate, which agreed to a 10-year moratorium last session. House and Senate lawmakers could meet in conference committee on a final version, but that may depend on the reaction among taro farmers and scientists.

Several taro farmers yesterday said the House version is unacceptable and that they would urge lawmakers to adopt a 10-year moratorium.

"This bill is no good for the farmers. It doesn't protect us. It doesn't protect our Hawaiian varieties because you'll be contaminating them with the other varieties," said Jerry Konanui, a taro farmer and cultural practitioner in Puna on the Big Island. "They should kill this bill and face the consequences and the wrath of the people.

"It's ridiculous. They don't want to listen. But this is not the end. This is just the beginning."

FEELINGS RUN STRONG

Last session, taro farmers and Hawaiian activists cornered Tsuji and state House Speaker Calvin Say, D-20th (St. Louis Heights, Palolo Valley, Wilhelmina Rise), at a protest at the state Capitol after Tsuji declined to hear the Senate bill. Hundreds of Hawaiian activists demonstrated in favor of a moratorium on opening day of this session in January, and many testified at a committee hearing on the bill last month.

Say, House Majority Leader Kirk Caldwell, D-24th (Manoa), and House Vice Speaker Pono Chong, D-49th (Maunawili, Olomana, Enchanted Lake), sat behind Tsuji in the committee hearing room yesterday, a sign that Tsuji had the full backing of House leadership.

Jim Cain, a taro farmer and poi maker from Waipi'o Valley on the Big Island, said the 10-year moratorium is already a compromise for those farmers who want a permanent ban. He described the moratorium as a "time out" so farmers and scientists can assess the issues surrounding genetic engineering.

"The issues aren't going to go away in 10 years. They're not going to go away in a hundred years. So to further compromise it just waters it down and completely takes away any effective means to resolve this issue," he said.

Cain said the debate has awakened many Hawaiians to issues of cultural preservation and sustainability, and their activism may extend beyond whatever happens with the bill.

"The beautiful part about it is that it's awakening people, it's awakening the Hawaiian community and reconnecting people to their roots, so it's a very positive thing," he said.

The University of Hawai'i-Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources has promised not to genetically experiment with Hawaiian taro and has no immediate plans to field-test Chinese bun long or other varieties of taro.

"We are not in favor of any kind of a moratorium on science and research, but we understand the cultural significance of Hawaiian taro, and therefore, we have voluntarily made a commitment not to do any research on that," said Andrew Hashimoto, the college's dean. "So in a sense, it's not needed — a moratorium or legislation.

"I think it's just not good public policy to have these kinds of things when it's not necessarily needed. But I think legislators were in a position where you have very strong feelings on both sides."

Paul Koehler, manager for scientific and community affairs for Monsanto Hawai'i, the agriculture and biotechnology company, praised the committee's work on the bill.

"The legislators did a yeoman's job of trying to recognize the cultural significance of a crop like taro here in Hawai'i as well as the need for ongoing scientific research to be protected and preserved as well," he said.

The bill the committee approved yesterday would place a five-year moratorium on genetically modifying taro within the state and from testing or planting Hawaiian taro that was modified on the Mainland or in a foreign country. The bill would allow genetic experimentation on other varieties of taro with a valid federal permit.

The bill would also prohibit any county from banning or otherwise regulating the genetic modification of any plant or discriminating against genetically modified plants in zoning ordinances or land use permits.

State Sen. Jill Tokuda, D-24th (Kailua, Kane'ohe), the chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture and Hawaiian Affairs Committee, said lawmakers have tried this session to expand the discussion on taro beyond the moratorium. Lawmakers may provide money to fight pests such as the apple snail, create a taro purity and security task force, and follow up on a state strategic plan from a few years ago.

"I think the House did a good job under some very difficult circumstances to try and reach a compromise," Tokuda said. "It's a very emotional issue as well as one that deals with scientific impacts and economic impacts as well.

"So whenever you have all of these forces coming together it's very difficult to come to some kind of resolution. I think this issue will continue to go forward."

Tokuda said she could not predict what might happen in a possible conference committee without hearing from other senators. "It's a little more complicated than when it left the Senate," she said.

State Sen. Clayton Hee, D-23rd (Kane'ohe, Kahuku), the chairman of the Senate Water and Land Committee, said he personally does not agree with a shorter moratorium but wants to speak to taro farmers about their thoughts and options if the bill goes to conference committee.

"The risk is they may lose everything, the entire bill, and that's always a concern," Hee said.