“Climate change poses a serious threat to the economic well-being, public health, natural resources, and the environment of Hawai`i.” That statement, included in the preamble to Act 234, passed by the Legislature last year and signed by the governor on … Continued
Act 234 itemizes 12 separate areas of concern or charges that the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Task Force is to report on in the work plan deliverable to the Legislature before December 1, 2009. They are: Consultation with all state … Continued
In comparison to other states, Hawai`i’s total greenhouse gas emissions are low (43rd among 50 states and the District of Columbia). As measured in terms of per-capita emissions, it loses ground somewhat: still, at 18 tons of greenhouse gases a … Continued
Maybe it’s imprecise or flawed. But the report on greenhouse gas emissions in 1990 published by the Hawai`i Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and the Department of Health still represents the best source of information on what, and … Continued
Under a draft work plan for the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Task Force, the first order of business once funds are released is to select a contractor to update the state’s 1990 greenhouse gas emissions inventory and assist with other … Continued
In the search for alternatives to fossil fuels, Hawai`i has looked to a wide range of renewable energy sources, including geothermal, wind power, solar generating systems and solar water-heaters, hydroelectric power, wave energy, ocean thermal energy conversion, biofuels (ethanol and … Continued
1. Ranking of residents of Hawai`i among all U.S. states in per-capita emissions of carbon dioxide in 2003: 32nd 2. Per-capita annual carbon dioxide emissions for Hawai`i for that same year: 17.78 tons 3. Ranking of Hawai`i in 2003 among … Continued
Imperium Renewables, LLC, a company based in Washington state, has been granted a 35-year lease at O`ahu’s Kalaeloa Harbor, where it plans to produce some 100 million gallons of biodiesel each year. Once it completes its processing facility in 2009, … Continued
No Permits for Vacation Rentals in Conservation District To young Leah Suesen, the thought of her hometown becoming a “horizontal hotel” scares her. Suesen, one of more than 100 Ha`ena residents opposed to the proliferation of vacation rentals there, asked … Continued
Among the measures passed by the 2008 Legislature are ones to increase fines for violations of the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ land use regulations and to beef up the Department of Agriculture’s powers to control noxious plants. By … Continued