Jeri Di Pietro's Videos (Architects of a New Dawn) - Architects of a New Dawn

GMO Taro at the Ledge

2009-03-26T21:21:57.547Z

In this episode of "The Ledge" you will hear a plea to lawmakers from a kanaka maoli to protect the Hawaiian taro.
HB1663, which proposes to prohibit any kind of testing, development, importation or planting of genetically modified taro in Hawaii. This bill was introduced by the Hawaiian Legislative Caucus, chaired by Rep. Mele Carroll.

SB709, which places a moratorium on genetically modifying any Hawaiian taro in Hawaii and testing, planting, or growing any Hawaiian taro within the State that has been genetically modified outside the State. This bill was introduced by Senator Kalani English.

Cultivating Abundance in Community

2009-01-25T10:48:43.867Z

Untiy in community is a win/win. A pono (righteous) leader does not need a title. We each have the power to transmit mana into the eyes of all beings we encounter. We are born with our full potential. We are the ones we have been waiting for.

Kalo (taro): Our Brother

2009-01-16T21:55:33.269Z

The ancient ways of living in balance with the land, are one of the keys to our future survival. Malama i ka honua, take care of it all. The ancient Hawaiians and the ahupua`a system of resource management, made these islands self sufficient. This model of Aloha (God, light and breath) and malama `aina (taking care of the land) are a beautiful reminder of what it means to live close to the land, to acknowledge spirit in every moment and to know that the presence of our departed ancestors (aumakua) continue to be with us in this life.

Taro: Delicacies of the Land

2009-01-16T20:51:15.261Z

Kanaka Maoli, native Hawaiian people, consider Taro their elder brother, the first born of their creation story. Taro provides the nutrition of protein, startch and leafy greens. Taro is a hypoallergenic food source for people, especially children with severe food allergies. The "Boy in the Bubble" could safely ingest taro for his nutrition. Today, biotech research has genetically altered the taro plant and is moving towards patenting. Traditional varities are at risk for contamination, farmers are unsure of what they are planting, and the Hawaiian people are say a'ole (no) patenting of our ancestors.

Save Haloa the Kalo from genetic engineering

2009-01-15T10:58:22.275Z

Biotech's mana mahele of taro (stealing of lifeforce) is a corporate attempt to control the planting material farmers use to grow taro. UH has altered the genetic make up of taro by inserting gene sequences from unrelated plant species. Taro is considered a sacred plant, and Haloa the taro is considered the first Hawaiian, and elder brother of all kanaka maoli (indigenous Hawaiian people). Citzens in our state have been introducing legislation for 3 years, only to have Monsanto insert pre-emptive language into our bill and alter the true intent. The Hawaiian Islands are the number one place in the world for chemical/biotech corps like Monsanto/DuPont/Dow/ Syngenta to conduct open air field tests of these interspecies and pesticide producing food crops (corn, soy, sunflower, cotton, wheat, papaya) with little to no oversight of the health and environmental degradation. Taro is a hypoallergenic food which is very important for those with food allergies. To insert genes from rice, wheat and grapevine, as well as viral promoters and antibiotic resistance, changes the DNA of this sacred food crop, and contaminates farmers who wish to grow traditional varieties. Featured in this clip is Mr. Walter Ritte from Molokai, a longtime freedom fighter and respected leader. Monsanto refers to our islands as a "sacrificial zone" due to our isolation.