Voters adopt GMO ban

o Full election results

A controversial Maui County Charter amendment temporarily banning genetically engineered crops passed Tuesday night, but just barely.

About 50.2 percent of voters — the minimum needed to pass the initiative — voted in favor, while 47.9 percent voted against. Supporters are expecting a lawsuit by corporations opposed to the bill.

The voter initiative divided the community after the group SHAKA Movement collected enough signatures to place the proposal on the ballot. The charter amendment bans the use of genetically modified organisms unless the companies’ practices are tested and deemed safe.

A crowd of supporters cheered when the results were announced at the Akaku community TV station.

"It’s the triumph of the people over the corporations," said Mark Sheehan, spokesman for SHAKA Movement, who was at the station. "We’re surprised and delighted and thrilled."

Tom Blackburn-Rodriguez, spokesman for the pro-GMO group Citizens Against the Maui County Farming Ban, said in an emailed statement that the group was disappointed by the results, calling the proposal "scientifically unjustified, deeply flawed and irresponsible."

"We are deeply concerned for the 600-plus workers and their families, local businesses, farmers and taxpayers that will be negatively impacted (by its passage)," the statement said. The group said it represents 6,000 local farmers, scientists, parents, and civic and business groups.

The statement thanked the thousands of supporters, volunteers and agricultural advocates "who over the past months tirelessly spread the word about the initiative’s devastating consequences to their friends and neighbors in the community."

Opponents of the bill claim federal regulatory agencies have deemed GMOs safe. Supporters, however, worry that chemical companies developing seed in Hawaii are spraying chemicals near neighborhoods, schools and waterways, posing health risks to neighboring communities. 

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa said earlier Tuesday night, when results showed the initiative faltering, that the bill was "put together badly." He could not be reached comment later.

Sheehan, of the SHAKA Movement, said the vote shows that hard work matters more than money.

Sheehan said opponents outspent supporters by about 130-to-1 in campaign money, or about $8 million compared to the $60,000 spent by SHAKA Movement.