From The Garden Island:

A controversial bill proposing to regulate biotech companies on Kauai and demanding more transparency on pesticide use and the presence of genetically modified crops drew approximately 1,000 people to the Historic County Building Wednesday morning.

“This is clearly a very important issue that we’re dealing with,” said Kauai County Councilman Gary Hooser, who co-introduced Bill 2491 along with Councilman Tim Bynum.

In addition to establishing a 500-foot pesticide-free buffer zone around public areas and waterways, the bill would make it mandatory for large agricultural operations to make records of pesticide use available, ban open-air testing of experimental pesticides and crops, and place a moratorium on the commercial production of GMOs.

“We all like to believe the EPA protects us from pesticide harm, but sadly that is not always the case,” said Bill Freese, a science policy analyst at the Center for Food Safety. Read the full story.

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

Anahola Green Energy project decision due Friday

Former Rep. Sagum sentenced to community service

Kenoi says incinerator will be built

Kauai officials ask witnesses in Polihale incident to come forward

Leilani Estates man shot in the chest by a spear gun

Tree removal sparks dissent in South Kona

Big Isle LGBT community reacts to rulings

Circuit Court asked to dissolve WMSA and appoint receiver

Maui supporters hope rulings boost same-sex unions

Kauai residents react to SCOTUS gay-marriage rulings

High cost of low-income Maui housing reviewed

Central Maui landfill closes early over excessive debris

Organizers say Hilo fireworks show will go on

New Maui County auditor wins unanimous OK

State to discuss Hana Pier improvements

Old Kauai sugar mill.

—Chad Blair