From The Garden Island:

Several residents representing a handful of organizations showed up at the Kaua‘i County Council meeting Wednesday morning, asking for support on a bill against biotech companies that grow genetically modified organisms.

“Our current structure of law enables corporations to come into our communities (and) pollute at will,” said Prajna Marcus, of Kaua‘i Rising, adding that the people have no rights to stop them.

“That’s why we are here today — the Kaua‘i Food Bill of Rights represents a change in the law, elevating the citizens’ rights above corporations that are doing genetically engineering testing and experimentations on the island,” she said. Read the full story.

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

Coffee farmers fight troublesome beetle

Gates restrict access to Honokeana Cove

Tsunami debris washing ashore on Garden Isle

Mauna Kea Coin design selected

State legislature appropriates $20 million to save Lipoa Point

Revisiting Kalaupapa history

White’s proposal ‘too Draconian’ — Baisa

Kauai court to decide on million-dollar restitution in ‘unusual case’

Hawaii County Council seeks money sought for lifeguards

Maui Finance head appeals for more workers within DMVL

Photo courtesy pdxjeff.

—Chad Blair