In 1995, the Hawai`i-based longline fishing fleet caught 101,773 sharks. Roughly a third of them were finned — a process that often involves cutting fins off sharks and then returning the animals, still alive, to the ocean. Unable to navigate, … Continued
A lawsuit brought by the owners of a Hanalei boatyard against several private citizens and the county of Kaua`i has been dismissed by a federal judge. The lawsuit, which had asked for $35 million in damages, probably is the largest … Continued
A reader asks: What is happening with the state’s desalination plant at the Campbell Industrial Park on O`ahu? Construction of the plant was completed in August 1990 at a cost of $6.2 million. Campbell Estate contributed $2 million and land. … Continued
Boating Division, Lana`i Tour Company Ignore Conservation District Rules Trilogy Corporation, a firm that takes visitors on day trips from Lahaina to Lana`i, is planning to build a picnic pavilion, convenience store and snack shop, all to be housed in … Continued
State Water Division Contracts Are Issued Before Permits Received The state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Water and Land Development has routinely signed contracts for water development projects without assurance that permits for them will be issued … Continued
Since the second decade of the 20th century, the volume of fresh water flowing into Kane`ohe Bay has steadily dropped. Most scientists studying the bay agree that total freshwater input from streams and springs has dropped about 47 percent overall. … Continued
The Board of Land and Natural Resources has approved a mediated settlement to resolve several issues surrounding Conservation District violations at the Hawai`i Tropical Botanical Garden, near Hilo. But within days of the board’s action, the garden was accused once … Continued
Big Island rancher and Water Commissioner Herbert “Monty” Richards has not yet responded to the request for a statement of no financial conflict made by the attorneys for the windward parties in the contested case over Waiahole water. Nor had … Continued
In Geology and Ground-Water Resources of the Island of Hawai`i, H.T. Stearns and G.A. MacDonald describe the formation of Waipi`o Valley and its neighbor to the west, Waimanu Valley: “The spectacular canyons of Waimanu and Waipi`o, cut deep into the … Continued
Has the Lower Hamakua Ditch outlived its purpose? Since 1910, the ditch delivered on average some 30 million gallons a day to the sugar plantations along the Big Island’s Hamakua Coast. Last October, however, the last harvest of sugar took … Continued