Timeline - GMO Taro research in Hawai'i

In 2002, the University of Hawaii (UH) patented three varieties of hybridized (non-genetically engineered) taro. These were decendents of the Hawaiian-Polynesian taro group, “Lehua.”

Links to Patents on Taro:

• Pa`akala Cultivar
• Pa`lehua Cultivar
• Pauakea Cultivar 

This patenting of the plant required farmers wishing to purchase huli, or breeding stock, to sign a licensing agreement with UH. The licensing agreement stated that "UH owns the taro cultivar..."  It prohibited farmers from selling or breeding the patented plants, and required the payment of a royalty to the University. 
View the University of Hawai'i's Licensing Agreement

In 2003, UH, in conjunction with the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center (HARC), began genetic engineering three varieties of taro. They experimented with inserting rice, wheat, and grapevine genes into the Chinese (Bunlong), Hawaiian (Maui Lehua), and Samoan (Niue) taro. Researchers did this quietly without any permission or input by the Hawaiian people and when locals realized what was happening they became outraged. There were months of protest, letter writing, phone calls and organizing.
See past actions
View the protest letter to the University of Hawai'i

On June 16th, 2006 UH dropped its patents on 3 varieties of taro.  This was a huge step in putting the taro plant back into the hands of the public, creating dialogue between concerned citizens and UH and again raising the important question, “who owns life?”
View UH's Terminal Disclaimer
View Honolulu Star-Bulletin article:  Tearing Up Patents 

Though UH agreed to stop genetic engineering experiments on the Hawaiian varieties, they continue to manipulate the Chinese Bunlong variety of taro under the direction of Dr. Susan Miyasaka and the Dean of CTAHR, Andrew Hashimoto.  Researchers hope to make the taro resistant to a fungus (phytophthora). This overlooks the causes of disease and fungus problems with taro: poor water quality, lack of water, lack of diversity, and the loss of the knowledge about the traditional, organic, healthy growing techniques.  Such GMO research continues to disregard Native Hawaiian cultural concerns and could lead to economic devastation of the taro market.  Native Hawaiians, taro farmers and Hawaii SEED continue to fight back by supporting legislation that places a moratorium on the cultivation and experimentation of GMO taro in the lab and field.  You can too.

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"For Hawaii's indigenous people, the concepts underlying genetic manipulation of life forms are offensive and contrary to the cultural values of ‘aloha `aina’ which means ‘love for the land’ and ‘malama `aina’, care for the land.  Genetic engineering alters the fundamental structure of taro and jeopardizes naturally and selectively bred Hawaiian varieties that have been cultivated for generations.”
- Momi Subiano, Native Hawaiian of Kealakekua