The following is an edited excerpt.
A group comprised of a number of agricultural businesses, united in their opposition to a bill that would prohibit genetically modified organisms on the Big Island, made their presence known in Hilo on Friday afternoon.
Numerous papaya farmers, holding signs that framed GMOs as “Great Miracle Opportunities” and depicted the transgenic Rainbow Papaya as a friendly cartoon character, cheered along Aupuni Street outside of the county building.
At the same time, several trucks with signs that read “Save Our Farmer and Ranchers” and “Science Helps Farmers” drove in circles around the Aupuni-Kilauea-Pauahi loop that surrounds the state judiciary building and other county facilities.
During Friday’s event, we spoke to Eric Weinert, the general manager of Calavo Growers, the largest exporter of papaya to the mainland. Weinert says his business grows all Rainbow papaya. Also participating: The Hawaii Papaya Industry Association, Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association, Big Island Banana Growers Association, Hawaii Dairy, and Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council.
Read the full story here: Pro-GMO rally encircles Hilo government buildings
