FKW POPs: Since 2012, the Main Hawaiian Islands population of false killer whales has been on the federal endangered species list. For even longer, the whales have been known to suffer serious injury and even death from interactions with fishing gear. Lack … Continued
Finally! An ‘Ohi‘a Rust Rule: In 2005, a new invader to the islands was discovered on trees in the myrtle family, including Hawai‘i’s iconic ‘ohi‘a tree. Some species, especially rose apple, were devastated by Puccinia psidii, a rust-type fungus that appears to … Continued
Grading at Kealakekua: Within the last few weeks, extensive grading has occurred on a 73- acre parcel near Kealakekua Bay and adjacent to land that is part of the Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park. Owner of the parcel is the Kealakekua … Continued
Delay in ‘Ohi‘a Rust Rule: Last August, after many years of delay, the state Department of Agriculture finally approved rules to ban the importation of plants in the Myrtaceae family from other states, in hopes of protecting ohi‘a from a devastating rust. … Continued
‘Aina Le‘a Keeps Whiffing: Since August, ‘Aina Le‘a, Inc., has been attempting to win approval from the Hawai‘i County Planning Department of an environmental impact statement preparation notice, or EISPN. The notice is a necessary first step in moving forward with construction … Continued
Can’t Cool Down: More than a decade ago at the Hawai‘i Conservation Conference, Stephen Miller of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service office in Honolulu expressed his concern about the pace at which nighttime temperatures at high elevations were rising: … Continued
Update I — Kahala : See EH-xtra item. Update II — Wells: Last month, we reported on the ongoing problem the state Commission on Water Resource Management has with well owners and diverters of surface water failing to report their monthly … Continued
Kekaha Violations: A federal judge has found that the state Agribusiness Development Corporation has been violating the Clean Water Act for years, as the century-old drainage system it owns discharges millions of gallons a day into the Pacific Ocean along … Continued
Hu Honua in the News: On June 6, Judge Greg K. Nakamura of the 3rd Circuit Court in Hilo denied several motions to dismiss a lawsuit against Hu Honua and state agencies brought by Claudia Rohr, owner of a Hilo … Continued
Another Whale Death: For the second time this year, a Hawai‘i deep-set longline vessel killed a false killer whale while fishing for bigeye tuna. The first incident occurred in January within the 200-mile exclusive economic zone around the state and … Continued