From The Garden Island:

Five days after the official announcement, Kauai County Councilman Gary Hooser will introduce House Bill 2491 related to pesticides and genetically modified organisms to his colleagues.

A large crowd, including representatives of the major agricultural companies, the Center for Food Safety and local groups, is expected at today’s council meeting, beginning at 9 a.m. in the Historic County Building in Lihue.

Jerry Ornellas, president of the Kauai County Farm Bureau, said the bill could be a “game changer — from a local debate to one between hired guns.”

“The debate may take on a new dimension,” he said, “in which you now have large national groups battling it out here on Kauai.” Read the full story.

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

Battle over GMO heads back to Hawaii Council

Man hospitalized after jumping off Rainbow Falls

County may have to pay $395K more for Queen K project

Pan-STARRS finds 10,000th near-Earth object

Central Maui landfill shut down due to high winds

Kohanaiki park blessed

Mala ramp, docks repairs to start Oct. 14

Big Isle hospital, Queen’s exploring affiliation

Final environmental assessment issued for proposed Maui park

Kauai residents reminded of fireworks laws for 4th of July

Kauai taro courtesy USDAgov.

—Chad Blair