Above photo: Deputy DAB director Dean Matsukawa, DAB director Sharon Hurd, and DAB legislative liaison Cedric Gates meet with Rep. Mike Gabbard in this photo from April 2025. Credit: Gabbard Instagram Until Cedric Gates ran for state Senate in 2024, … Continued
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The 2025 legislative session did not pass many measures that addressed environmental issues. But of the several that did pass, and which Governor Green signed into law, probably the most significant is Act 96 (Senate Bill 1396). This, proponents say, … Continued
Above photo: On the leeward coast of the Big Island, wildfire last month burned the parched grasslands along Akoni Pule Highway. Credit: DLNR The 2023 Legislature considered – and rejected – a bill that would have established a community fuels … Continued
Above photo: The scene in front of the Royal Hawaiian last January. CREDIT: DOUGLAS MELLER Among the bills that made it across the finish line in this year’s legislative session, several are designed to make enforcement of shoreline rules easier and … Continued
Last month, the Environmental Court opened the door to the Board of Land and Natural Resources considering up to seven permits for aquarium species collection in the West Hawaiʻi Regional Fishery Management Area. When it does, opponents will be there. … Continued
When it comes to meaningful environmental legislation, the 2022 Legislature managed to push several bills across the finish line that were then signed into law by Gov. David Ige. Here is a synopsis of a few of them. Pupukea: Act … Continued
Senate Bill 2070 (now Act 197) calls for the issuance of up to $50 million in special purpose revenue bonds to the Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative, LLC. The purpose is to assist the company in a host of worthy endeavors, … Continued
Hawai‘i County’s affordable housing policy is a disaster. Other counties have their problems as well when it comes to addressing the shelter needs of households who are priced out of market-rate rentals. But on the Big Island, the insanely complicated … Continued
“He knew what he was doing,” Land Board member Tommy Oi said in support of his motion to approve a $17,000 fine against Lanikai residents Donald and Julianne King for unauthorized work in the Conservation District. The couple, who own … Continued