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GMO, telescope
on radar
in Hawai'i County
The race for Hawai'i County mayor has been long and hard-fought. On Sept. 20, the field of nine candidates was narrowed down to two Native Hawaiians: Billy Kenoi and Angel Pilago.
This race is Kalapana-born attorney Billy Kenoi's first run for office. Kenoi, 39, served as a legislative intern in Honolulu and in Washington, D.C., and most recently as Mayor Harry Kim's executive assistant.
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Pilago has familial ties to the island, and has lived in Kona for nearly three decades. A cultural practitioner and activist, the 63-year-old Pilago is in his second term as county councilman for District 8, Kailua to Pu'uanahulu, on the Kona side.
Two environmental issues with specific importance to the island have stirred the community consciousness lately. First, a movement for the state to ban the work of University of Hawai'i scientists to genetically modify kalo was not passed into law, but is expected to make a comeback when the Legislature convenes in January.
Pilago feels strongly that kalo should not be genetically modified, and points to a bill that he introduced at the county level to ban genetic modification experiments of kalo or coffee on the island. “It's an issue of respect,” he said. “Science must have an element of social justice.”
Kenoi, while not supporting the ban of genetic modification of coffee, is opposed to genetic engineering of kalo. “Kalo is Hāloa, not just one plant. People who I deeply respect are vehemently opposed to GE (genetically engineered) taro. I respect those who work in the lo'i. When come to our culture, gotta look to our kūpuna.”
Not only is Hawai'i Island rich with historic sites and places where native traditions are still practiced, but it is experiencing explosive growth particularly in rural subdivisions and in resort areas.
Talking about a recent surf day at Pohoiki, Kenoi said, “the best thing about paddling back in is seeing and feeling the same place that I remember growing up. When my kids surf Pohoiki, I want it to look the same. We can't let it become Kuki'o of Hualalai,” he said, referring to two luxury resorts on the Kohala coast. “There's nothing wrong with them, but (they don't belong) everywhere.”
“One of the points of the Kohanaiki case was that authority must uphold cultural and traditional practices in land use decisions,” Pilago said of a case he was involved in before the Hawai'i Supreme Court that ensured shoreline access on private property. “If we damage our land, mineral and water resources, we damage the genealogy of our people. We cannot approve development that will harm our resources.”
Kenoi added, “The best way to keep open space is to make sure the farmer can farm and the rancher can ranch.”
Another hot-button issue
in Hawai'i Island is the proposed Thirty Meter Telescope. A selection committee has narrowed down prospective sites for the telescope to Mauna Kea or Cerro Armazones, Chile. Community meetings will be held this month around the island and on O'ahu to gather input. (See Briefs section on page 11).
“We gotta mālama Mauna Kea,” Kenoi said, making sure that any development is within the comprehensive master plan, which has yet to be completed.
Kenoi stressed that astronomy pursuits on Mauna Kea must translate into better science and math education for the kids. “Inside every one of our Hawaiian kids is a navigator. An astronomer. It's not just a telescope for visiting scientists. It's to connect our community with the universe,” he said.
Not only is Pilago opposed to the telescope, but he takes issue with the lack of community involvement with the process thus far. Although an environmental impact study, which would also include cultural impacts, has yet to be completed, the site selection committee narrowed it down to the Chile site or Mauna Kea without input, Pilago said. “We are obligated to respect and care for the wao akua.”
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