Video above shows a portion of the July 2, 2014 U.S. Senate candidate forum held at Sangha Hall in Hilo, Hawaii. Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa is challenging incumbent Senator Brian Schatz for the position.

Video by Tim Bryan, Forum Moderated by Sherry Bracken

HILO, Hawaii – U.S. Senate candidates Brian Schatz and Colleen Hanabusa debate the divisive issue of GMO foods, and the discussion turns to home rule.

The role of the federal government in terms of labeling is something that they are dealing with now. As many of you know the Organic Production Protection Act and the Food Protection Act are things that have looked at ‘what’s to be labeled’. Organic, as you know, go through a very stringent type up investigation and qualification before you can put the word ‘organic’ on it. What the federal government has done is look at the issue and asked the question, ‘can something that is organic be then called GMO-free or no GMO’. And the answer to that has been that until they understand better as to what percentage is in the environment they have not made that decision.”Rep. Colleen Hanabusa – July 2, 2014

My view is very simple: Home rule.

I think communities have to make their own choices about what kind of disclosures, what kinda of consumer’s right-to-know, that we should move forward with.

There was a provisional bill called the Monsanto Protection Act – which is what it sounds like – and I worked very hard with Senator Tester and Senator Mikulski to repeal the Monsanto Protection Act. Ive also introduced legislation with Bernie Sanders and Barbara Boxer to clarify that it is not the federal
government’s role to interfere with the county’s legislative body or state legislative body that wants to do what it sees fit for its community.”Sen. Brian Schatz – July 2, 2014

SPECIAL VIDEO SECTION: Schatz vs. Hanabusa (July 2, 2014)

1. Introduction
2. Social Security
3. Economy
4. Kona Airport Customs
5. Fish & Wildlife Designations
6. Lending Restrictions
7. Native Hawaiian Education
8. Jones Act
9. Healthcare and Medicare
10. Pohakuloa Training Area, Saddle Road
11. Hawaii’s High Energy Rates
12. GMO
13. Closing

The event was sponsored by the Hawai‘i Island Chamber of Commerce, Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Hawaii, Hawaii Island REALTORS®, Hawaii Island Contractors’ Association, Kanoelehua Industrial Area Association and the Hawaii Island Portuguese Chamber of Commerce. It was open to the community free of charge.