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Despite pressure from its supporters, the Hawaii senator refuses to call a hearing for a bill to require buffer zones around schools.

The governor sent a letter to senators listing reasons to support his controversial nominee, ranging from his executive experience to the fact that he grew up in Hawaii.

UPDATED: Similar measures are advancing in the Senate and await hearings involving senators Jill Tokuda and Rosalyn Baker.

Babes Against Biotech and other Maui County groups are risking undermining the environmental cause with unfair attacks on opponents.

Three Senate committees approved a bill to require large agricultural companies to abide by buffer zones for spraying restricted-use pesticides around schools and other sensitive areas.

Important issues are ahead for the Department of Land and Natural Resources, and some of them are likely to involve the company that currently employs the nominee to head the agency.

Anti-GMO advocates are drumming up support for the measure to limit where large ag companies like Monsanto can spray pesticides.

A Maui County spokesman said that it’s up to the SHAKA Movement to defend the bill now that the group has intervened in a lawsuit.

A MoveOn.org petition urges the state Senate to reject the appointment of Carleton Ching to chair the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Sen. Josh Green wants to require more disclosure of chemical use by farmers and impose buffer zones around schools, but it will be an uphill battle.