The Board of Land and Natural Resources has approved a mediated settlement to resolve several issues surrounding Conservation District violations at the Hawai`i Tropical Botanical Garden, near Hilo. But within days of the board’s action, the garden was accused once … Continued
Big Island rancher and Water Commissioner Herbert “Monty” Richards has not yet responded to the request for a statement of no financial conflict made by the attorneys for the windward parties in the contested case over Waiahole water. Nor had … Continued
In Geology and Ground-Water Resources of the Island of Hawai`i, H.T. Stearns and G.A. MacDonald describe the formation of Waipi`o Valley and its neighbor to the west, Waimanu Valley: “The spectacular canyons of Waimanu and Waipi`o, cut deep into the … Continued
Has the Lower Hamakua Ditch outlived its purpose? Since 1910, the ditch delivered on average some 30 million gallons a day to the sugar plantations along the Big Island’s Hamakua Coast. Last October, however, the last harvest of sugar took … Continued
When the Lower Hamakua Ditch was formally opened on July 1, 1910, it was the occasion of two days of banquets, speeches, and merry-making for investors and plantation owners. Newspapers in Hilo and Honolulu reported the occasion extensively. Coverage in … Continued
The time is late April 1989. The place is the face of the cliff behind Waipi`o Valley’s Hakalaoa Falls, which, dropping some 1,200 feet to the valley floor, is one of the highest waterfalls in Hawai`i. Weakened after centuries of … Continued
Water Commission Is Poised to Vote On Proposal to Tap Makaleha Springs The state Commission on Water Resource Management has scheduled a meeting on August 2, at which time it is to vote on a proposal to divert water from … Continued
At Del Monte Superfund Site, More Contaminated Areas Are Found On December 16, 1994, the Del Monte pineapple plantation on O`ahu was formally added to the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Priorities List — otherwise known as the Superfund sites. The … Continued
On February 16, 1993, the state of Hawai`i cut a check for $13 million payable to two parties: Blue Point Land Development, Inc., and its attorneys, Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel. The check was the second of two payments totaling … Continued