BeyondKONA: Politics & Policy
Power, politics, money, and finally policy are undeniably linked in every modern democracy, and Hawai’i is no different in this regard, yet the Aloha spirit can set Hawai’i apart from mainland and global political influences. Vested interests may work to divide us, but we are one island and one community living together here on Hawai’i Island.
Outsized voices seek to fulfill special interest agendas; some succeed by influencing government policy that benefits a few at the expense of many. Hawai’i can transition to a home grown clean energy economy that benefits all, and supports sustainable lifestyles once successfully practiced by the ancient Hawaiians serving as our guide for the 21st century.
Hawaii’s rich environment and its people are its primary assets. Community participation is the political engine that drives policy and solutions — both require public voices to be heard loud and clear in our island community and across the state legislature. All good things are possible when guided by science, progressive governance, cultural and economic fulfillment.
- Targeting India’s most harmful power plants could slash mortalityby Gary Fuller on May 17, 2024 at 5:00 am
Study finds about a quarter of health burden comes from power stations that generate just 3% of country’s electricityIndia struggles with some of the worst […]
- Cancer-causing benzene levels were cut in half at US refineries in 2023: Reportby Cami Ferrell on May 16, 2024 at 9:16 pm
HOUSTON — The number of U.S. oil refineries exceeding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s action level for benzene in 2023 was cut in half compared […]
- New Dutch coalition aims to reintroduce 80mph limit in cull of climate goalsby Senay Boztas in Amsterdam on May 16, 2024 at 2:46 pm
Government, including far-right leader Geert Wilders, announces it will abandon key green policies in strategyThe Netherlands’ new right-wing coalition […]
- United Utilities raises investor payouts a day after Windermere sewage discharge revealedby Jillian Ambrose on May 16, 2024 at 2:23 pm
Near-10% dividend increase follows allegation that water company failed to prevent illegal pollution for 10 hours in February• Business live – latest […]
- DeSantis eliminates climate change from Florida's energy policyby EHN Curators on May 16, 2024 at 11:16 am
Florida will no longer prioritize climate change in energy decisions, despite facing severe environmental threats, after Governor Ron DeSantis signed new […]
- Discard these common recycling mythsby EHN Curators on May 16, 2024 at 11:15 am
Despite recycling being around for decades, many misconceptions persist about what can and cannot be recycled.Allyson Chiu reports for The Washington Post.In […]
- Protecting species from extinction is not enoughby EHN Curators on May 16, 2024 at 11:14 am
The loss of species abundance poses a serious threat to biodiversity and ecosystem functionality.John Reid reports for The Atlantic.In short:Abalone […]
- Reduce plastic exposure to protect your healthby EHN Curators on May 16, 2024 at 11:11 am
You can minimize exposure to harmful chemicals found in plastics with these strategic lifestyle changes.Lauren F. Friedman reports for Consumer Reports.In […]
- ‘Someone is going to die’: MPs warned of E coli risk to swimmers in English watersby Sandra Laville on May 15, 2024 at 4:25 pm
Clean river campaigner says pollution poses threat as Labour MP calls for water industry to be taken into public ownershipA clean river campaigner has warned […]
- Global warming poses severe risk to elderly by 2050by EHN Curators on May 15, 2024 at 11:55 am
The elderly population worldwide will face increased risk from extreme heat due to climate change and demographic shifts by 2050, warns a new study.Alejandra […]
- Summer of 2023 was the hottest in two millennia, says studyby EHN Curators on May 15, 2024 at 11:40 am
A new study analyzing ancient tree rings reveals that last summer was the hottest in the past 2,000 years, with unprecedented warmth across the Northern […]
- Op-ed: Sexism, pollution and Alzheimer’sby Mel (Mary Ellen) Harte on May 15, 2024 at 11:34 am
Women are two to four times more likely to develop any of 100-plus chronic auto-immune diseases than men. This could include Alzheimer's disease, which some […]
- Phthalate chemicals found in popular olive oilsby EHN Editors on May 15, 2024 at 11:33 am
Thirteen popular olive oils recently tested have detectable levels of phthalates, according to a new report from Mamavation.Partnering with EHN.org, the […]
- Long-term health impacts of early smoke exposure explored through primate studyby EHN Curators on May 15, 2024 at 11:04 am
A primate research center in California provides insights into the lifelong health consequences of early exposure to wildfire smoke.Jesse Nichols reports for […]
- Astronomers join the battle against climate changeby EHN Curators on May 15, 2024 at 11:01 am
Astronomers are increasingly applying their skills to address climate issues, demonstrating the versatility of their scientific expertise. Katrina Miller and […]
- Mining the heavens: companies pursue space resourcesby EHN Curators on May 14, 2024 at 12:11 pm
Mining asteroids could offer potential relief for Earth's resource strain.Sarah Scoles reports for Undark.In short:A new wave of companies, including […]
- Toxic legacy: peregrine falcons continue to absorb banned chemicals, study revealsby EHN Curators on May 14, 2024 at 12:00 pm
Concentrations of toxic flame retardants in falcon eggs remain consistent, particularly near urban areas.Stefan Labbé reports for the Times Colonist.In […]
- Florida shifts focus from climate change to energy security in new legislationby EHN Curators on May 14, 2024 at 11:56 am
Florida’s energy policy may exclude climate change considerations.Amy Green reports for Inside Climate News.In short:Florida's proposed bill redefines its […]
- Superbugs pose a greater threat than Covid, warns health expertby EHN Curators on May 14, 2024 at 11:09 am
England's former chief medical officer claims that the rise of drug-resistant superbugs could present a crisis worse than the Covid pandemic. Kat Lay reports […]
- Rethinking our approach to zoonotic diseases in a changing worldby EHN Curators on May 14, 2024 at 11:07 am
Despite historical attempts to eliminate diseases, experts now suggest focusing on control and coexistence.Joanna Thompson reports for Undark.In short:Many […]
- How fungi could help clean up our biggest toxic messesby Lori Youmshajekian on May 13, 2024 at 11:29 am
More than 30 years after its closure, the acrid smell of diesel still lingers in parts of a former freight rail yard on the banks of the Los Angeles River. […]
- Afghanistan faces deadly flash floods, devastating impactsby EHN Curators on May 13, 2024 at 11:20 am
Hundreds of deaths occurred due to severe flash floods in northern AfghanistanRick Noack reports for The Washington Post.In short:Severe flash floods in […]
- England gets 27 new bathing sites – but no guarantee they’ll be safe for swimmingby Helena Horton Environment reporter on May 13, 2024 at 6:00 am
Water campaigner Feargal Sharkey says newly designated sites will join ‘ignoble, floundering list of failure’Twenty-seven new bathing sites will be […]
- ‘A lot of asbestos in the streets’: WA declares ‘hazmat emergency’ after tornado hits Bunburyby Australian Associated Press on May 12, 2024 at 5:50 am
More than 100 homes damaged when tornado ripped off roofs, collapsed walls and sucked up debris in state’s south-westGet our morning and afternoon news […]
- $1 billion: Trump's aggressive campaign for oil industry funds revealedby EHN Curators on May 10, 2024 at 12:08 pm
Donald Trump's recent engagement with top oil executives at Mar-a-Lago showcases a bid for campaign funding in exchange for regulatory rollbacks. Josh Dawsey […]
- Corporate interests often obscure the real impacts of their products on public healthby EHN Curators on May 10, 2024 at 12:02 pm
Companies sometimes conceal the detrimental health effects of their products, such as forever chemicals, to maintain profits, despite known risksNicholas […]
- Toxic PFAS chemicals found in Maine wildlife raise alarms for ecosystem healthby EHN Curators on May 10, 2024 at 12:00 pm
Researchers in Maine are investigating how perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances impact local wildlife.Penelope Overton reports for the Portland Press […]
- Vermont enacts climate accountability legislationby EHN Curators on May 10, 2024 at 11:12 am
Vermont's new bill holds high-emission companies accountable for climate-related damages.Maura Barrett and Lucas Thompson report for NBC News.In […]
- Reevaluating the role of parasites in ecosystemsby EHN Curators on May 10, 2024 at 11:11 am
Research shows that parasites can indicate overall ecosystem health and biodiversity.Jesse Nichols reports for Grist.In short:Chelsea Wood, a parasite […]
- Scientists predict severe climate impacts as global warming targets are missed. How do they face this grim reality?by EHN Curators on May 10, 2024 at 10:53 am
Amid growing global temperatures, scientists fear devastating future impacts, but emphasize that the fight against climate change cannot be abandoned.Damian […]
- Colorado enacts a ban on PFAS chemicals linked to health risksby EHN Curators on May 10, 2024 at 10:33 am
Colorado joins 12 other states in taking legislative action against PFAS due to their carcinogenic and persistent nature.Natasha Lovato reports for USA […]
- Farmers’ union lobbied to increase pesticide limit in UK drinking waterby Helena Horton Environment reporter on May 10, 2024 at 9:00 am
NFU’s director of strategy asked for review of EU-derived protections as part of post-Brexit loosening of rulesThe National Farmers’ Union lobbied to […]
- The Guardian view on Britain’s dirty waterways: a failure of industry and regulation | Editorialby Editorial on May 9, 2024 at 5:38 pm
Fresh warnings about polluted rivers from the environment watchdog are shocking but not surprisingA steady stream of stories about the shockingly poor state of […]
- Amidst a controversial international sale, U.S. Steel falls behind in cleaner steelmakingby Kristina Marusic on May 9, 2024 at 11:52 am
PITTSBURGH — On a windy, rainy afternoon in early April, bundled-up protesters gathered in front of U.S. Steel’s corporate headquarters downtown ahead of a […]
- Spanish-speaking residents feel left out of permitting process at massive Exxon petrochemical plant in Houston-areaby Cami Ferrell on May 9, 2024 at 11:51 am
BAYTOWN, TX — As Exxon Mobil moves forward with federal re-permitting for its massive petrochemical complex in the Houston area, residents remain frustrated […]
- Rising ocean temperatures signal potential global disruptionsby EHN Curators on May 9, 2024 at 11:46 am
As oceans warm at unprecedented rates, experts fear widespread ecological impacts.Katrin Bennhold, David Gelles and Raymond Zhong report for The New York […]
- Sylvia Earle, a relentless ocean advocate, emphasizes urgency for ocean conservationby EHN Curators on May 9, 2024 at 11:45 am
Sylvia Earle, the trailblazing oceanographer known as “Her Deepness,” shares her relentless passion for ocean protection despite mounting […]
- Nuns push Wall Street for environmental justice through shareholder advocacyby EHN Curators on May 9, 2024 at 11:16 am
Faith-based advocates urge Citibank to respect Indigenous rights.Keerti Gopal reports for Inside Climate News.In short:Sister Susan Francois emphasized the […]
- Labor’s strategy is to reduce emissions from gas – but not if that means doing anything to cut its useby Adam Morton on May 9, 2024 at 8:40 am
The plan announced on Thursday offers the gas industry – and Western Australia in particular – everything it could wantGet our morning and afternoon news […]
- England’s rivers to remain in poor state as EU laws ignored post-Brexit, says watchdogby Helena Horton Environment reporter on May 9, 2024 at 4:00 am
Government’s failure to match EU measures to improve condition of rivers, lakes and oceans called ‘deeply concerning’England’s rivers are likely to […]
- Flame retardants in auto seats pose multiple health risks, research showsby Tom Perkins on May 8, 2024 at 2:00 pm
About 99% of car-interior air samples contained at least one flame retardant considered a carcinogen or potential carcinogenThe use of flame retardants in auto […]
- Castoffs to catwalk: fashion show shines light on vast Chile clothes dump visible from spaceby Sarah Johnson. Photos by Maurício Nahas. Video by SugarCane Films on May 8, 2024 at 9:00 am
The Atacama desert has become a ‘global sacrifice zone’ of used fast fashion. Activists and designers organised an event to raise awareness of the […]
- UN expert attacks ‘exploitative’ world economy in fight to save planetby Nina Lakhani climate justice reporter on May 7, 2024 at 10:00 am
Outgoing special rapporteur David Boyd says ‘there’s something wrong with our brains that we can’t understand how grave this is’The race to save the […]
- Country diary: Wildlife needs quiet, not the roar of motorbikes | Mark Cockerby Mark Cocker on May 7, 2024 at 4:30 am
Three Shires Head, Derbyshire: The peace of our walk was destroyed by bikers – something nature here has to contend with every day, at great costThe sounds […]
- Hawaii families complain of sickness nearly three years after Pearl Harbor fuel leakby Libby Leonard in Kapa’au, Hawaii on May 4, 2024 at 1:00 pm
Court hears effects of 2021 leak, in which thousand of gallons of fuel seeped into drinking water supply from US navy storage tankMilitary and civilian […]
- Gas stoves increase nitrogen dioxide exposure above WHO standards – studyby Aliya Uteuova on May 3, 2024 at 6:13 pm
Science Advances report also finds people of color and low-income residents in US disproportionately affectedUsing a gas stove increases nitrogen dioxide […]
- Northumbrian Water told to publish raw sewage discharge data it tried to hideby Sandra Laville on May 3, 2024 at 6:00 am
Appeal tribunal orders firm to share details on hundreds of thousands of tonnes of outflows into North Sea A water company that tried to keep secret details of […]
- Belgian insurer urges politicians to strengthen low emission zonesby Gary Fuller on May 3, 2024 at 5:00 am
Mutualités Libres among 140 health and environment experts calling for more clean air measuresOne of Belgium’s mutual health insurers has been taking a […]
- Labour concern grows over donations to Vaughan Gething’s campaign in Walesby Steven Morris on May 2, 2024 at 12:12 pm
Welsh first minister urged to pay back £200,000 to firm whose owner was convicted of environmental crimesThere is growing anger and concern within the Labour […]
- Big River Watch: public to monitor UK and Irish rivers for pollutionby Helena Horton Environment reporter on May 2, 2024 at 10:55 am
Rivers Trust is asking citizen scientists to record observations of local waterways on free appPeople in Britain and Ireland are being asked to monitor their […]