Contemplating the future of Hawaiian agriculture

One environmental blog site has raised the issue of biotech crops in Hawaii. Here is how the issue was framed by the site:

At a staff meeting yesterday, we threw out this idea: How amazing would it be if “grown in Hawaii” was known world-wide to mean “organic and GMO free”?

As the most remote archipelago in the world–we are at the crossroads of the future of agriculture. We can either choose to become a haven for pure, high-quality, high-value organic and GMO-free food, or an isolated testing ground for corporate biotech to try out their genetically modified pharmaceutical and mcfood crops. What’s it going to be?

To remain silent on this issue, is the same thing as choosing. Unless we raise our hand to say “NO”, the future for Hawaii IS unrestricted, unmitigated, unlimited biotech. From last year’s Star Bulletin:

Pineapple will give way to biotech seed crops in Kunia as Monsanto Co. expands its acreage in the state by purchasing lands once tended by Del Monte Fresh Produce Hawaii.

Monsanto has entered an agreement to acquire 2,300 acres of agriculture-zoned land from the James Campbell Co.

See full article at: http://starbulletin.com/2007/04/05/news/story02.html

TK: By the way, the blog said it is a a project of KAHEA: the Hawaiian-Environmental Alliance, a non-profit 501(c)3 working to protect the unique natural and cultural resources of the Hawaiian islands. If Hawaii wants a vibrant agriculture economy, it obviously can no longer lean on the pineapple trade or the sugar business. While KAHEA may dream of a Hawaii that is "organic and GMO free," the reality is that well regulated biotech development makes economic sense for the islands.