From the Hawaii Tribune-Herald:

Hawaii County Water Supply officials say levels of atrazine in island wells are far below safe thresholds, even as 19 members of the state House on Thursday called for a task force to investigate the effects of the herbicide on human health.

Ten of Hawaii Island’s 22 water wells show traces of atrazine, all below the limits set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, said Water Department deputy manager Keith Okamoto. He said the department tests annually for chemicals and monthly for bacteria.

Atrazine isn’t found in wells in population centers such as Hilo and Kona, but has been detected in wells along the Hamakua coast and Ka‘u, where agriculture is the dominant industry, Okamoto said. The organic chemical was used for decades in the state to fight weeds in sugarcane, pineapple and seed corn crops.

“They are all well below the EPA maximum contaminant level, and it looks like they are on a downward trend,” Okamoto said. Read the full story.

And here’s the latest in other neighbor isle gov’t and politics:

Rep. Carroll speaks out against wind turbines and cables

Census: Big Island getting five new residents daily

Counties risk losing revenue from public utility franchise tax

KIUC candidates wrap up discussions, voting deadline approaches 

Mauna Kea scientists celebrate discoveries, look to future

Moths, ‘eating machines,’ defense against Maui fireweed

Former Kauai doc sentenced in prescription drug case

Kauai Humane Society names new executive director

Puna Geothermal operations back to normal

Photo courtesy j neuberger.

—Chad Blair