On December 15, 2013, over 1,000 people participated in the Aloha ‘Aina March, and walked through the streets of Haleiwa Town on the North Shore of O‘ahu. Organized by environmental groups and activists, the march centered around one issue: genetically modified organisms. And they are not alone. Whether you know them as GMOs, genetically engineered crops, or biotechnology, they all depict the act of inputting new genes into an organism in order to produce an acquired trait. By definition it sounds harmless, and large corporate farms, such as Monsanto, are actively practicing this method. According to Monsanto, producing GM crops is beneficial to consumers and allows for insect-resistant, and drought and herbicide tolerant plants.
However, as an environmentally concerned society, we are just not buying it. Underneath Monsanto’s polished statements hides a deeper truth, and we want answers. For starters, there have not been conclusive, independent scientific studies done proving the absolute safety of GMOs. Public concern of Monsanto’s action extends beyond the production of GMOs. Their use of pesticides and insecticides on farmlands brings fear of chemical runoff into the earth and oceans that we depend on for life. What will happen if these chemicals flow into our streams, our oceans, marine life, and inevitably into our bodies? In fact, such a risk was seen in Kaua‘i where middle school students found health problems, all created by chemicals carried over from a nearby GMO farm, carried by the wind. However, it does not matter if you are a surfer who loves the ocean, or even just a resident of Hawai‘i; this is an issue that is relevant to anyone who cares for the future of our planet.
All of this represents just a small fraction for why so much of the public is demanding transparency from Monsanto, and other companies practicing such worrisome behavior. The only way to get the answers that we need is to spread the word and bring awareness to others about this important issue. So why not create a pair of boardshorts that just does that! We teamed up with Drew Toonz, an amazing artist based on O‘ahu’s North Shore, who is one of many people supporting the anti-GMO and the Evict Monsanto cause. Each patch of artwork seen on these boardshorts are inspired by the signs carried by protesters during the Aloha ‘Aina March. Anyone wearing or laying their eyes on these protest shorts is reminded of the anti-GMO and the Evict Monsanto movement, and that they can take their stand in this vital cause.
These shorts retail for $60.00 and are available to ship worldwide. Proceeds of the shorts will go to Hawai'i SEED, a non-profit which organizes people and educates on the risks of GMO to humans, ecosystems and Hawaii.