To Lose a Species Is Cause for Sadness Thank you for your recent coverage of the state Natural Area Reserve System and the serious threat posed by introduced mammals to native Hawaiian species and ecosystems. I agree with Kathryn Wiese … Continued
“Ravens are found here but they are scarce,” wrote Charles Clerke in his journal in February 1779. “Their color is dark brown inclining to black, and their Note is different from those of Europe.” Clerke was captain of the Discovery … Continued
Viewed charitably, the publication of the Fish and Wildlife Service’s draft environmental assessment for release of `alala might be regarded as the triumph of hope over experience. After all, there’s nothing in the experience of the last decade to suggest … Continued
The draft Environmental Assessment for release of `alala to several sites on the Island of Hawai`i describes each prospective release site in some detail. As outlined below, each site poses its own unique set of challenges: Pu`uwa`awa`a. The Pu`uwa`awa`a sanctuary … Continued
From Kaua`i to the Big Island, the plans of utilities to build large, fossil-fuel-guzzling power plants or transmission lines of questionable need are being challenged by citizen groups. Here’s an update on four of the most contentious projects on Kaua`i, … Continued
Less than a year after state inspectors found heptachlor epoxide in Moloka`i cucumbers, Lonnie Williams’ 40-acre farm has gone belly up after only four years of farming on the island. Concerned that his produce might be contaminated, last year he … Continued
When A Day at the Beach Turns Nasty The Hawaiian rain slips through the soil, drips from the lush green leaves and flushes the earth clean. A big rain makes torrents of water rush through numerous streams, brown and foamy … Continued
In Hawai`i, per capita consumption of petroleum is among the lowest in the United States. Hawai`i residents use half of what Texas residents use, and a quarter of what Alaskans use, says petroleum engineer Jack Zagar, the first of several … Continued
Environment Hawai`i has completed ten years of publication. With this issue, we embark on our second decade. It is an achievement in which we take some measure of pride. The newsletter has consistently given its readers reports that are neither … Continued
The recently approved memorandum of understanding between the Maui County Board of Water Supply (BWS) and Alexander & Baldwin calls for the two parties to arrive at several additional agreements relating to specific areas covered in the memorandum of understanding. … Continued