ADC Payout: Among the payments for settlements and judgments authorized by the state Legislature earlier this year was one for $131,849.52, identified as the settlement for a case brought in federal court in 2018. Early that year, the Agribusiness Development Corporation was sued by … Continued
So Long, Skeeters: The multi-agency effort to save a number of native forest bird species from imminent extinction got a boost June 22, when the state Board of Agriculture unanimously approved a permit allowing the importation of 25,000 male Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes that … Continued
Hu Honua Re-Remand: The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court has tossed back to the Public Utilities Commission – for a second time – a decision in the case of the Big Island biomass power plant. The first court case, resolved in 2019, … Continued
Sunset Seawall Court Case: On February 10, 1st Circuit Judge Jeffrey Crabtree will hear arguments on the state’s January 12 motion to compel Sunset Beach homeowners James and Denise O’Shea to produce documents supporting their claims that the state holds … Continued
Koʻolauloa Plan Advances: On November 19, the Zoning and Planning Committee of the Honolulu City Council voted to adopt a revised Sustainable Communities Plan for the windward Koʻolauloa area that limits Hawaiʻi Reserves, Inc., which manages the land in Laʻie … Continued
Wait a Minute: On October 22, the Sierra Club of Hawai‘i asked 1st Circuit Judge Jeffrey Crabtree to force the state Board of Land and Natural Resources to wait until its December 11 meeting to consider renewing four revocable permits to Alexander & … Continued
FKW Injury: Another false killer whale has been injured in an interaction with the Hawai‘i longline fishery. This time, the interaction occurred when a shallow-set longliner targeting swordfish hooked the animal, making it an extremely unusual event. Interactions between false killer whales and longliners … Continued
Cell Tower Challenge: AT&T is suing Hawai‘i County in federal court over the denial of a permit to erect a cell phone tower in Puna. The complaint was filed July 2 in federal district court in Honolulu against the county … Continued
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