Balanced Rock Foundation: A Reminder to Raise Awareness, Inspire Change

by Heather Sullivan, Balanced Rock Program Director

"The garden teaches us there is something we are all capable of doing." -Dr. Vandana Shiva

This winter, the highlight of my five-week Hawaiian travel was not swimming and napping with sea turtles, viewing Humpback whales daily with a chance to hear their mating songs, surfing and paddle-boarding beautiful and occasionally terrifying waves, eating insanely delicious local foods and exploring abundant farmer's markets, and being accepted as part of a few loving communities (ohana); it was for sure a talk held on the island of Kauai on food justice and sustainable agriculture.

On January 17th, the Kauai Memorial Convention Hall in Lihue hosted a packed auditorium overflowing into a cafeteria where speakers and a projector were hastily set up to accommodate the huge crowd. Local non-profit organizations, Hawaii Seed, GMO Free Kauai, and Ceres Trust sponsored the evening beginning with a local seed exchange, informational booths, dinner, and networking opportunity. The goal of the evening was to raise awareness to the current situation around food security on the islands and to promote a GMO free Hawaii. As it stands, Hawaii is one of the largest GMO seed test sites and the majority of food sold on the islands is imported. On Kauai, 90% of all food is imported.

The opening blessing consisted of local high school charter school students setting the tone for hope and change as the young generation, barefoot on stage, sang and welcomed the community giving Mahalo (thanks) to the land (aina) and all present.

-taro field

The first speaker, respected and local activist, Walter Ritte, from the island of Molokai, set the tone remembering this year as the 120th Anniversary of Hawaii's "takeover". Ritte is a strong figure in the Hawaiian sovereignty movement. Ritte has also worked to stop genetic engineering of the taro plant, one of Hawaii's biggest and sacred crops. Ritte spoke of the Molokai people who are fiercely protective of the precious natural resources and the dangers and health threats GMO's are bringing to the islands.

Andrew Kimbrall followed Ritte. Kimbrall is Executive Director for International Center for Technology Assessment (ICTA) and Executive Director for the Center for Food Safety. He is one of the country's leading environmental attorneys and has won multiple cases against the mega-power, Monsanto. Kimbrall's hard work and dedication filled me with hope as he successfully works at what can feel like a loosing or insurmountable battle.

Dr. Vandana Shiva (my new heroine), is an Indian philosopher, environmental activist, and physicist. She has started over 100 seed banks in India and has written over 20 books on anti-globalization.
Dr. Shiva began her talk with,

"For a millenium we have lived in natural harmony with the world. In less than 150 years we have become a terminal threat to the planet."

All three speakers, though coming from different angles and backgrounds were unified on the fact that genetically modified food is unhealthy for our planet. They are unified that we should rule by the Higher Laws of Planet--that all creatures are created equal. They are unified on the belief that it is a right for all creatures to have healthy water, healthy food, and that all humans should have the right to save seeds and grow food without chemicals.

The community (ohana) that formed around this evening deeply inspired me. The strong spiritual practice of knowing the land, realizing the connection to everything around us, and being vehicles of positive change through our food choices and practices invigorated me and gave me deep hope.
Ritte used a Hawaiian term in his talk POHO--which is to fill with knowledge but then forget about what was learned. He cautioned us against this.

I do not want to forget the importance of growing even a small kale crop, or even one single plant with a seed. I do not want to forget to fight for clean water and clean food for all. I do not want to forget to BE the change I wish to see in the world. (Ghandi)

The Upanishad reminds us, "Everything is food. Everything is something else's food." By making responsible choices and not being afraid to act for what is right for the planet, we can make positive and healthy change. One of Kimbrall's thoughts that continues to stick with me from the evening is that we can choose to be creators rather than consumers. He says, "Rather than read poetry, write poetry. Rather than listen to music, learn an instrument. Rather than talk about change, act. Rather than eat a vegetable, grow a vegetable."

So today, I write about and share my experience in Hawaii. It is now time to move outside to plant some kale and onions and really remember.

To this earth, my ancestors, this moment, and future generations. Mahalo (thanks). Mahalo.

To hear the talk written about in this blog visit: