From the Hawaii Tribune-Herald:

Hawaii Island’s food fight is about to get even more messy.

After sitting on the sidelines during the last three months, South Kona/Ka‘u Councilwoman Brenda Ford has entered the debate over genetically modified organisms with her own bill that would ban all transgenic crops, including modified papaya.

Her legislation will compete with a new anti-GMO bill introduced by Kohala Councilwoman Margaret Wille, who first sparked the debate over modified crops last May when she brought forward Bill 79. Wille withdrew that bill, which banned GMO crops except for papaya, Aug. 6 in anticipation of drafting a new version. Read more.

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

Injured sea turtle euthanized

Salary Commission member resigns over disclosure concerns

County demolishes pavilions at the end of Lydgate

Maui mayor says sharks nets, hunting not ideal

Seven public schools welcome new principals

Big Island researcher studying tiger shark movements

Lawmakers say the effects of sequestration are not immediate

Kauai commission considering dividing council elections

Gabbard takes turn teaching at Kealakehe High School

Haleakala Ranch celebrates 125th anniversary

Pahoa pool reopened after eight months

Photo: Hamakua Coast. (aksynth)

—Chad Blair