The Kaua`i Island Utility Cooperative has lost its “priority position” to generate hydropower using irrigation systems and land in west Kaua`i managed by the state Agribusiness Development Corporation. Last month, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued an order dismissing the … Continued
Some of them leak like sieves, losing (or wasting, some might say) millions of gallons a day of diverted stream water into the ground. But achieving greater food security without the 130 or so earthen reservoirs throughout the state would, … Continued
The National Park Service is worried about water. More specifically, it fears that the underground flows that feed the fishponds and anchialine pools at Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park will be interrupted or polluted if areas mauka of the park are … Continued
Black-footed Albatross Not Endangered: That’s the final determination of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in response to a petition to list the species Phoebastria nigripes as endangered. The petition was filed seven years ago by Turtle Island Restoration Network … Continued
The challenges of dealing with invasive species can seem daunting, whether on a local or a global scale. But at a meeting last month in Waikoloa, the scientists, researchers, and natural-resource managers who are on the front lines in the … Continued
It was a day of extremes. One of the largest areas subject to a Land Use Commission petition – roughly 57,000 contiguous acres – was disposed of in one of the shortest LUC meetings in recent memory – less than … Continued
Robert Lu`uwai, for one, was glad to see it finally happening, but others seemed to think it was not only a waste of money, but a hassle and an abortion of due process. Last month in the Kihei Elementary School … Continued
It was practically a secret for months. But in late August, state Department of Land and Natural Resources staff and members of the public (including Environment Hawai`i and Carroll Cox of Envirowatch) were starting to ask about the elusive emergency … Continued
The Enemy of my Enemy…: Ants are relative newcomers to Hawai`i, and generally not welcome ones at that. But in an article published in the July issue of Pacific Science, three German scientists discuss an unusual case of mutualism involving … Continued
Changes to Conservation District Rules Have Natural Resource Managers Worried “We’re all adults here. What are they really concerned with?” Sam Lemmo said. Then, answering his own question: “They don’t want to be subject to an EA.” Under the proposed … Continued