Farms kept secret in GMO registry on Hawaii island
Fellow Big Island papaya farmers and an Oahu distributor are pitching in to help Laureto Julian recover from an estimated $100,000 loss after an estimated 8,500 papaya trees, some of which are shown above, were cut down by vandals.
HILO >> A judge is allowing Hawaii County to maintain a registry of genetically modified crops while preventing public disclosure of farmers’ identities and specific farm locations.
Hilo Circuit Court Judge Greg Nakamura granted a preliminary injunction Tuesday in response to papaya farmers who argued the Big Island’s registry requirement would expose them to vandalism or theft of trade secrets.
The registry is part of the county’s ban on open-air planting and testing of GMO crops. Papaya farmers are exempt from the ban but were required to participate in the registry.
The judge previously granted a temporary restraining order in favor of the papaya farmers, which put a hold on the registry requirements.
Kohala Councilwoman Margaret Wille tells Hawaii Tribune-Herald the ruling is an acceptable compromise.
