Hawaii groups plant coconut trees, protest against Monsanto

By CATHY BUSSEWITZ

Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) — Demonstrators spent Saturday planting coconut trees and waving signs in rallies across the Hawaiian Islands as part of an international day of protests against agriculture business Monsanto.

The protesters complained about the impacts that companies like Monsanto have on the community when they spray fields with chemical pesticides. They say they want agribusiness companies to stop using Hawaii as a testing ground for pesticides and genetically modified foods.

“Get off the island,” said Diane Marshall, a Honolulu teacher. “I would like to see them close up shop.”

In Waikiki, a man wore a gas mask in front of a statue of surfer Duke Kahanamoku to demonstrate the dangers of pesticides. Others in bikinis talked with tourists about why they don’t want genetically modified goods to be grown in Hawaii.

“What’s cool about doing it in Waikiki with the tourists is it’s kind of giving them a light on what the issues are in Hawaii — that it’s more than just paradise,” said Nathaniel Whittaker, 28, of Honolulu.

On Maui, a group spent the day sowing fields with crops to encourage local farming. An estimated 200 demonstrators planted two acres of sweet potatoes, banana starts and more than 100 coconut trees, said Courtney Bruch of GMO Free Maui.

“We know that we have the power in our hands to become self-sustainable, growing our own healthy food,” Bruch said.

The Maui group was joined by Neil Young, who performed a song from his upcoming album called “The Monsanto Years,” Bruch said.

“It’s pretty amazing he came out to this farm for this event,” Bruch said.

Pake Salmon lives on Oahu but flew to Maui to take part in the planting event.

“We have all these chemical companies poisoning the land, poisoning the reef and the sea and the fishes,” Bruch said.

A spokesman from Monsanto was not immediately available for comment.