Author Archives: Leo Azambuja

Chamber Nominates Three Candidates

Wednesday, May 30th, 2007

Lietta Corpus nominated JoAnn Zukeran during the meeting. Zukeran joined Charlene Aquino and Ray Foster, who were already nominated, to the three open positions at the chamber board.

Although the election was on the meeting schedule, it was deferred because only eight members attended the meeting. At least 15 votes are necessary to elect new board members. Voting will be done by mail.  

The newly nominated Zukeran said she intends to get more vocational traits to students. “I want to see what I can do to help the students as well as the young adults,” she said, “so we can make Molokai the friendliest island and we can be the best in the state.”

Monsanto Manager Shares Some Facts

Wednesday, May 30th, 2007

Foster said Monsanto produces genetic modified corn on Molokai with the intent of commercializing its seeds. An environmental impact study hasn’t been done because it’s not required by the government on lands used for agricultural purpose, he said. “Here we only grow corn for commercial sale, to sell the seeds,” he said. “The research is done elsewhere.”

In 1999 Monsanto acquired 700 acres of corn fields from the Holden family and 200 acres from the State, Foster said. Earlier this year, Monsanto expanded its lease hold to 1,650 acres, but only 400 of them will be used as productive lands, he said.

The drip irrigation system that Monsanto plans to use will require only half of the water the overhead irrigation uses. Another major advantage of the drip irrigation system is that it allows fertilizer to be delivered straight to the plants’ roots, rather than spreading it through the air, he said.

Foster also pointed out that the acreage Monsanto acquired won’t need a geological survey because the land had been originally farmed by pineapple plantations for over a hundred years. “There are no known historic sites on the lands,” he said.

Foster said that there is a lot of misinformation and untrue statements about Monsanto. “I’m very proud of what we do,” he said. “Come and ask me, come and see me,” he urged to those who wish to know more about the work Monsanto does here on Molokai.

“Hawaii is America,” Foster said. There are good regulatory agencies here, such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration, which are “involved in what we do,” he said. Nobody in the world has the same quality of environmental regulations that the United States does, said Foster.

Monsanto currently employs 120 Molokai residents on a full-time basis and another 40 to 50 seasonal workers.