Changing the basic structure of the sacred Hawaiian taro plant would become a crime under a compromise approved by a key legislative committee yesterday.

But some taro farmers said the ban on genetic modification of Hawaiian taro doesn't go far enough. Alterations of non-Hawaiian taro varieties would still be allowed in laboratory environments, which they say means the plant's seed could potentially escape and contaminate Hawaiian taro.

The House Agriculture Committee unanimously passed the bill, and it now heads to a vote before the full House.

This is the third straight year that lawmakers have tried to pass a law protecting Hawaiian taro, which is revered as an ancestor of the Hawaiian people.

During the nearly six-hour debate yesterday, researchers said science could shield taro from devastating diseases while Native Hawaiians sought to keep taro pure and safe from tampering.

"When the disease comes in here, it's going to wipe you out and you'll have nothing left," said Ching Yuan Hu, associate dean for the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.

Taro farmers, some of whom brought their plants with them to the Capitol, told legislators they're concerned that genetically modified taro varieties could cross-pollinate with Hawaiian varieties.

"If these kinds of crossings can happen, how can we protect the Hawaiian taro?" asked Hanalei taro farmer Chris Kobayashi.

A similar compromise passed the same House committee last year, but it was never brought to a vote of the full House after taro farmers said it was too weak. The year before, activists surrounded the offices of legislators and shouted "Hear our bill!" in an effort to force the issue.

This year's measure is different because open-field research within the state is prohibited, said committee chairman Rep. Clift Tsuji, D-Hilo-Glenwood.

"Hawaiian taro should not be considered like any other plant crop in Hawaii. Doing so would be an insult to the Hawaiian people and to the ancient and sacred role of kalo," Tsuji said. "Kalo deserves to be protected in its natural form."

Taro farmers didn't all agree on how to best protect their livelihood.

Some, like Kauai farmer Rodney Haraguchi, said he wants research to continue so that the plant can be saved if deadly diseases arrive in the Islands.

"The taro farmers need help," Haraguchi said. "This issue has divided farmers, families and communities."

The proposed law would make development, testing, planting or importation of genetically modified Hawaiian taro a misdemeanor, punishable by up to $1,000 in fines or 30 days in jail, Tsuji said.

The University of Hawaii is not currently researching genetic modification of taro, but it has in the past.

No other state has banned genetic modification of any plant, but some areas of California have placed regional moratoriums on field tests of genetically modified rice.