KAUAI, HI - U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry Kurren has overturned a Hawaii GMO regulatory law, Ordinance 960, on the grounds that it was preempted by state laws. The law which would have gone into effect in early October would have required farming and seed companies to disclose the pesticides used in their operations and created a buffer zone between the fields and homes, medical facilities, schools, parks, public roadways, shorelines and waterways.

Many Hawaiian growers who argued that the Ordinance placed "burdensome and baseless restrictions" on business are applauding this decision. Not all parties are as happy about this turn of events however.

"This issue is far from over," said Gary Hooser, the Kauai Council Member who co-introduced Ordinance 960. "One opinion from one federal magistrate does not settle the issue."

"By denying Kauai's law, the judge undermined efforts to create more transparency and more protections for farmers, workers and families from hazardous pesticides," agreed Paul Towers, Spokesman for the Pesticide Action Network.

According to the Wall Street Journal, over 11,000 acres of farmland have been leased by agribusiness companies for test farms and research facilities on the island of Kauai due to it's excellent year-round growing conditions.

As of this point, no appeal of Judge Kurren's ruling has yet been filed.