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.
- Study: Bird populations plummeting in US and Canadaby Peter Dykstra on September 21, 2019 at 6:26 pm
Bird populations in the United States and Canada have dropped by almost three billion since 1970, according to a new study. CNN's Bill Weir reports. […]
- How science has done women wrongby Peter Dykstra on September 21, 2019 at 6:15 pm
Why women still aren't equally represented in science, both as researchers, and in science done about women […]
- 121 gray whales found dead on beaches, cause of death unknownby Peter Dykstra on September 21, 2019 at 6:04 pm
Something killed 121 gray whales this summer, and scientists struggle to find out what it was. Many were emaciated and appeared to be starving. […]
- What rising temperatures in the Gulf of Maine mean for the state’s lobster industryby Peter Dykstra on September 21, 2019 at 4:40 pm
The Gulf of Maine is known for lobsters, which form the foundation of an industry critical to the state’s economy. Due to climate change, the waters off […]
- Isra Hirsi Is 16, unbothered, and saving the planetby Peter Dykstra on September 21, 2019 at 1:55 pm
As the co-founder of the U.S. Youth Climate Strike and the daughter of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, Isra Hirsi is grappling with harassment, safety threats, […]
- Duke Energy makes big pledge to cut carbon pollution by 2050by Peter Dykstra on September 21, 2019 at 1:48 pm
Duke Energy Corp. agreed to eliminate carbon emissions from its power plants and offset those that it can’t by 2050, joining a slew of power producers […]
- Exposing The myth of plastic recycling: Why a majority is burned or thrown in a landfillby Pete Myers on September 21, 2019 at 12:51 pm
Many Americans go through great pains to recycle plastic. But much of that plastic isn't recycled at all. In fact, the idea that plastics are refashioned into […]
- Bayer’s Monsanto purchase looks worse with each Roundup verdict - Bloombergby Pete Myers on September 21, 2019 at 12:44 pm
Facing billions of dollars in glyphosate lawsuits, the company may not survive a self-inflicted wound. […]
- California and 23 other states sue Trump to stop ban on auto emissions standardsby Vivian Ho in San Francisco on September 20, 2019 at 5:47 pm
Governor Gavin Newsom said the state “won’t bend to the president’s reckless attacks” on the state’s clean car waiverCalifornia […]
- Air pollution reaches the placenta during pregnancy, new study findsby Peter Dykstra on September 20, 2019 at 4:53 pm
It is the first study to show that the placental barrier, which is supposed to create a sterile environment for the fetus, can be penetrated […]
- The blood-dimmed tideby Pete Myers on September 20, 2019 at 4:41 pm
It's the year 2100. The nationalist ideology popularized by Donald Trump, Jair Bolsonaro, and Boris Johnson has not only retained its hold on industrialized […]
- Wolf, 14 govs. tell Congress to include strong PFAS provisions in defense billby EHN Staff on September 20, 2019 at 1:16 pm
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf joined a bipartisan group of 15 governors in a letter sent Wednesday to both the U.S. Senate and House Armed Services Committees […]
- Op-ed: Thinking through the EPA’s commitment to eliminate the use of mammals in toxicity testingby Laura N. Vandenberg on September 20, 2019 at 11:32 am
As the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency moves to get rid of research and testing in mammals (rats and mice), we are concerned the environmental impacts on […]
- Birds are vanishing from North Americaby Pete Myers on September 20, 2019 at 11:24 am
The number of birds in the United States and Canada has declined by 3 billion, or 29 percent, over the past half-century, scientists find. […]
- EPA allowed companies to make 40 new PFAS chemicalsby EHN Staff on September 20, 2019 at 11:23 am
New PFAS compounds present many of the same threats associated with PFOA, PFOS, and the other chemicals they replaced. […]
- Is US shale facing an 'unmitigated disaster'?by Megan McLaughlin on September 20, 2019 at 11:20 am
The booming shale industry could be headed off a financial cliff, experts say, and environmental groups are asking who will clean up thousands of wells drilled […]
- Lamb to EPA chief: You're on the 'wrong side' after methane rule rollbackby Autumnspanne1 on September 20, 2019 at 11:18 am
Rep. Conor Lamb, D-Mt. Lebanon, praised the fracking of natural gas as a job creator with lower environmental footprint than coal. […]
- Three Mile Island nuclear power plant's shutdown is imminentby Autumnspanne1 on September 20, 2019 at 11:13 am
The shutdown of Three Mile Island, site of the United States' worst commercial nuclear power accident, is imminent. […]
- ALCOSAN releases new, greener plan to control sewage overflows, but critics say it's not enoughby Autumnspanne1 on September 20, 2019 at 11:11 am
The Allegheny County Sanitary Authority revealed its plans to reduce sewage overflows by 7 billion gallons by 2036. […]
- Pittsburgh Water Authority 10 months ahead of DEP schedule in replacing lead service linesby Autumnspanne1 on September 20, 2019 at 11:06 am
Lead line replacements will continue, with thousands more still slated for replacement under the 2019 program. […]
- A random act of teaching: The state of climate change education in PA schoolsby Autumnspanne1 on September 20, 2019 at 11:03 am
In Pennsylvania, teaching climate science is not required and can be fairly controversial. But that might soon change (in a few years). […]
- One teen grapples with her questions about climate changeby Autumnspanne1 on September 20, 2019 at 11:02 am
She wishes she would have learned about climate change in school. […]
- Investment funds managing $16 trillion urge companies in Brazil to fight Amazon deforestationby Autumnspanne1 on September 20, 2019 at 10:52 am
A group of more than 200 funds called on businesses to play an active role in halting the degradation of the rainforest. […]
- Sterilized workers seek to collect damages against Dow Chemical in Franceby Autumnspanne1 on September 20, 2019 at 10:46 am
A pesticide made by Dow Chemical sterilized thousands of banana workers in Nicaragua decades ago. In an unusual legal move, they are turning to France to […]
- Fukushima nuclear disaster trial ends with acquittals of 3 executivesby Autumnspanne1 on September 20, 2019 at 10:44 am
The verdict makes it likely that no one will be held criminally responsible for the 2011 meltdown in Japan, which caused damage that could linger for […]
- OxyContin maker Purdue hired PR firm that aided BP after Deepwaterby Autumnspanne1 on September 20, 2019 at 10:30 am
The relationship was disclosed in Purdue’s recent filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. […]
- How Brazil’s army wants to "occupy" the Amazonby Autumnspanne1 on September 20, 2019 at 10:28 am
Jair Bolsonaro and Brazil’s army are reviving an old dream of the dictatorship to bring industry, mining, and settlers to the Amazon. […]
- Climate change and crime: New pressures for Pacific walruses and Alaska Native artistsby Autumnspanne1 on September 20, 2019 at 10:22 am
In warming Alaska, Pacific walruses and Inuit craftsmen find themselves facing new and intersecting threats. […]
- Gov. Newsom: GOP is silent on state's rightsby Autumnspanne1 on September 20, 2019 at 10:18 am
Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan would be "rolling in their graves right now at what the Republican administration is doing," said Newsom. […]
- Vaping illnesses hit 530 as FDA reveals criminal investigationby Autumnspanne1 on September 20, 2019 at 10:14 am
The FDA has been pursuing a criminal investigation since shortly after the illnesses emerged, officials said. […]
- Climate change is coming for Australian sheepby Autumnspanne1 on September 20, 2019 at 10:11 am
With a drought that's lasted close to three years, livestock Down Under are suffering. […]
- Legal Pressure Prompts Trump’s EPA to Ensure Plans Are Made to Reduce Coal-driven Pollution in Baltimore, Eastern Michiganon September 20, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- Center for Biological Diversity Strikes for Climate Actionon September 20, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- Labour plans 'NHS forest' of a million trees at hospitalsby Rowena Mason Deputy political editor on September 19, 2019 at 9:30 pm
Shadow minister to tell conference he will make health service the world’s greenestAn “NHS forest” of a million trees would be planted at […]
- California vows fightback after Trump voids state's right to set emissions rulesby Edward Helmore in New York and agencies on September 19, 2019 at 4:13 pm
California governor Gavin Newsom tweets: ‘See you in court’Administration formally revokes vehicle emissions waiverThe Trump administration has […]
- For the sake of life on Earth, we must put a limit on wealth | George Monbiotby George Monbiot on September 19, 2019 at 5:00 am
It’s not just the megarich: increased spending power leads us all to inflict environmental damage. It’s time for a radical planIt is not quite true […]
- Slimy lakes and dead dogs: climate crisis has brought the season of toxic algaeby Susie Cagle in San Francisco on September 19, 2019 at 5:00 am
Warming water and pollution are contributing to a variety of harmful bacteria that can wreak havoc on aquatic environmentsFrom New York City to coastal […]
- Fertiliser plant is not damaging Burrup Peninsula rock art, EPA saysby Calla Wahlquist on September 19, 2019 at 1:07 am
Western Australia’s environmental regulator rules impact on world’s largest collection of rock art is ‘manageable’The environmental […]
- The NHS produces 5.4% of the UK’s greenhouse gases. How can hospitals cut their emissions?by Anna Bawden on September 18, 2019 at 5:01 am
Switching anaesthetic gases, using electric ambulances and ‘greening’ dialysis are reducing the NHS’s carbon footprintOn Friday, thousands of […]
- House Democrats Advance Bill Protecting Lions, Elephants From Trophy Huntingon September 18, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- Federal Rule Protects Endangered Orcas’ West Coast Habitaton September 18, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- Trump to block California from setting vehicle emissions rulesby Vivian Ho and agencies on September 17, 2019 at 10:23 pm
Administration will declare that states are pre-empted from setting their own standards in a move that will spark challengeThe Trump administration is poised […]
- Air pollution particles found on foetal side of placentas – studyby Damian Carrington Environment editor on September 17, 2019 at 3:00 pm
Research finds black carbon breathed by mothers can cross into unborn childrenAir pollution particles have been found on the foetal side of placentas, […]
- Congressional Democrats Introduce Bill to Overturn Trump’s Disastrous Endangered Species Act Rollbackon September 17, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- Lawsuit Launched to Protect Students, Chapel Hill-Carrboro from UNC’s Coal Plant Pollutionon September 17, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- Some farming will always need subsidy | Letterby Letters on September 16, 2019 at 5:06 pm
Big changes are needed to farm subsidies, but there will always be targeted support to certain sectors and farm types, writes Richard HarveyIt is impossible to […]
- A rising tide: ‘overtourism’ and the curse of the cruise shipsby Kate Connolly All photographs by Sean Smith on September 16, 2019 at 7:00 am
In Kotor and Dubrovnik large cruise ships dock regularly throughout the season, depositing thousands of people each day into the tourist hotspots and putting […]
- $1m a minute: the farming subsidies destroying the world - reportby Damian Carrington Environment editor on September 16, 2019 at 4:00 am
‘Perverse’ payments must be redirected to measures such as capturing carbon, report saysThe public is providing more than $1m per minute in global […]
- 'We walk with our heads high': the women who care for country by fighting fire with fireby Lorena Allam on September 16, 2019 at 2:15 am
There’s no shortage of work for Australia’s Indigenous rangers – and no shortage of women who’d like to do it – but funding […]
- Volkswagen settles Australian diesel class actions that affected 100,000 vehiclesby Australian Associated Press on September 16, 2019 at 1:59 am
Owners of the affected vehicles will be able to access a minimum of $87m in compensation, according to the law firm leading the class actionCarmaker Volkswagen […]