Workers wearing shirts representing Syngenta, Monsanto and other GMO seed companies packed a House Finance hearing this morning at the Capitol. 

Undeterred, although many voted with reservations, committee members passed House Bill 174, which would impose labeling requirements and restrictions on imported genetically engineered produce.

House reps noted their concerns over the economic implications and desire to have the federal government handle the issue instead. But other lawmakers, like Rep. Kobayashi, asked why Hawaii seems to be thousands of years behind other countries that passed GMO laws fairly easily. 

The bill heads to a vote before the full House next.

The effective date, which is currently 2112, will need to be fixed later this session if the legislation is to have any effect. Finance Chair Sylvia Luke said it’s important to keep the discussion alive and see if a workable solution can be found.

Read more about the bill here.

— Nathan Eagle