The year is 1976. Gerald Ford is president. George Ariyoshi is governor of Hawai’i. Frank Fasi is mayor of Honolulu. And the residents of Waiahole and Waikane valleys on O’ahu’s windward coast are fighting the battle of their lives to … Continued
For the most part, at the time the great irrigation systems were being developed, scant attention was paid to the effects of the water transfers upon farmers and others relying upon the stream water for their livelihood. In the case … Continued
In an area as remote and relatively undeveloped as Ka’u is, natural resources are abundant. The development of a space launch facility at Palima Point or elsewhere in the district cannot help but have a disruptive impact on the natural … Continued
The proposal to develop a commercial space launch facility in Ka’u, the state has said, depends upon attracting a commercial operator. If no corporation or consortium of corporations can be induced to build and operate the facility the idea will … Continued
If a spaceport is built, will it be used by the military? Despite efforts of the state to portray it as a commercial (and presumably civilian) facility, its use to carry military missions aloft is not only possible, it is … Continued
The Office of Conservation and Environmental Affairs, within the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, has been criticized in the past for its failure to recommend meaningful fines against people who violate Conservation District rules. You’ll not hear any … Continued
The buffalo farm of William Mowry runs along the Hanalei River just before it enters Hanalei town. Most of the land is in the state Agriculture District. As part of its statutorily required five-year boundary review, the Office of State … Continued
When it comes to streams worth protecting, the Hanalei River is without peer among Hawai`i’s streams. The Hawai`i Stream Assessment, prepared by the state Commission on Water Resource Management with the help of the National Park Service’s Rivers and Trails … Continued
In 1986, Michael Miller found himself wanting to build on small (1.66 acre) agricultural lot he purchased in the Wai`oli area. As the deed clearly stated, the property was sold with “no access” — in other words, it was landlocked. … Continued