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.
- Bhopal nocturneby Peter Dykstra on December 7, 2019 at 12:00 pm
Last week, the 35th anniversary of the chemical industry's worst accident passed with little notice – and little opportunity for lessons learned.A […]
- Hermit crabs are dying in plastic pollution they think are shells, researchers sayby Pete Myers on December 7, 2019 at 11:42 am
Researchers say plastic debris has caused the deaths of more than half a million hermit crabs on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and the similarly remote Henderson […]
- Fire 'too big to put out' may blanket Australia's biggest city In smoke for monthsby Peter Dykstra on December 7, 2019 at 11:18 am
A large bushfire burning an hour away from Sydney, Australia has been determined to be "too big" to put out and may leave the large city covered in smoke for […]
- State tax breaks flow to firms building chemical plants overseas, then shipping them to Louisianaby Peter Dykstra on December 7, 2019 at 10:31 am
This article was produced in partnership with The Times-Picayune and The Advocate, which is a member of the ProPublica Local Reporting Network. […]
- China’s climate paradox: A leader in coal and clean energyby Peter Dykstra on December 7, 2019 at 10:27 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — As world leaders gather in Spain to discuss how to slow the warming of the planet, a spotlight falls on China — the top emitter […]
- The Bhopal disaster victims still waiting for justice 35 years on – in picturesby Photographs by Judah Passow on December 7, 2019 at 10:00 am
Photographer Judah Passow has documented those were affected by the Bhopal disaster 35 years ago, which killed an estimated 25,000 people ad has left more than […]
- Christmas jumper day goes green to cut down on plastic wasteby Kate Hodal on December 7, 2019 at 9:00 am
Save the Children urges people taking part in its charity event to source sweaters through clothes swaps and vintage shopsSave the Children is calling on […]
- Danger in the ground: Lead contaminates westside Atlanta neighborhoodby Peter Dykstra on December 6, 2019 at 11:22 pm
Rosario Hernandez regularly gardens with her grandchildren at her two Atlanta properties in the Engl... […]
- From disbelief to dread: the dismal new routine of life in Sydney's smoke haze | Charlotte Woodby Charlotte Wood on December 6, 2019 at 7:00 pm
There’s nothing like going to sleep with the taste of ash in your throat to give you an actual, physiological understanding of real fearHere’s the […]
- The false promise of natural gasby Pete Myers on December 6, 2019 at 5:40 pm
But beneath the rosy narrative that describes natural gas as a transition fuel lies a more complex story. Gas is associated with health and environmental […]
- Fractured forests are endangering wildlife, scientists findby Laura Pyle on December 6, 2019 at 2:55 pm
The world’s forests are being carved into pieces. In tropical regions, animals are likely to pay a heavy price. […]
- Veterinary drugs are wreaking havoc on wildlife worldwideby Laura Pyle on December 6, 2019 at 2:52 pm
Millions of pounds of antimicrobials end up in livestock each year, seeping into the environment and harming species like dung beetles. […]
- EPA rejects ban on poison bombs against cattle predatorsby Laura Pyle on December 6, 2019 at 2:42 pm
Trappers can keep using sodium cyanide bombs to kill coyotes and other livestock predators, the Trump administration said Thursday, rejecting calls for a ban […]
- Federal tests 'dramatically' undercount BPA and other chemical exposuresby Brian Bienkowski on December 6, 2019 at 12:18 pm
Tests used by the federal government to determine how much of the chemical bisphenol A is in people's bodies have "dramatically underestimated" our exposure, […]
- Coraopolis drinking water shows PFAS contamination among highest in Pennsylvania, but below federal advisoryby Oliver Morrison on December 6, 2019 at 12:15 pm
Editor's note: This story is part of an ongoing collaboration between Environmental Health News and PublicSource on PFAS contamination in Pennsylvania.Drinking […]
- A mine in the middle: Travelling through the Nahanni, the 'Grand Canyon of Canada'by Jim Germond on December 6, 2019 at 12:14 pm
We paddled the Nahanni, where, despite prominent opposition, roads will soon be built to the Prairie Creek mine in the heart of Nahanni National Park Reserve. […]
- Most US states have cut environmental budgets and staffing since 2008: Studyby Megan McLaughlin on December 6, 2019 at 12:13 pm
Most U.S. states have cut funding and staffing at their environmental agencies over the past decade, according to a study by a green advocacy group, raising […]
- What are you giving up to fight climate change?by EHN Staff on December 6, 2019 at 12:00 pm
As the annual COP25 climate change summit continues in Madrid, we asked delegates from all over the world how they were adapting their lives for the sake of […]
- Pittsburgh grows urban gardens in the fight against gentrificationby Laura Pyle on December 6, 2019 at 11:02 am
Urban ag groups and organizers are fighting food apartheid and building economic self-sufficiency. […]
- Port Neches, Texas, plant explosion and butadiene concerns prompt evacuationby EHN Staff on December 6, 2019 at 10:58 am
After recommending Wednesday night that residents leave the area, Jefferson County officials have told residents it's safe to return home. […]
- How satellites will help solve the climate crisisby Jim Germond on December 6, 2019 at 6:40 am
As the world grapples with a climate emergency, scientists are exploring satellite technology solutions to help us combat climate change and the damage already […]
- ‘A crisis situation’: Extinctions loom as forests are erased in Mozambiqueby Jim Germond on December 6, 2019 at 6:18 am
Inselberg forests are Mozambique's last inland primary forests. But they're getting smaller and smaller. […]
- Video: The climate hellscape is coming, and capitalism can't save usby Jim Germond on December 6, 2019 at 5:45 am
You can’t buy your way out of a warming planet. […]
- Nova Scotia to become first province to ban sale of flavoured e-cigarettes and juicesby Jim Germond on December 6, 2019 at 5:30 am
As of April 1, it will be illegal to sell flavoured e-cigarettes and juices in Nova Scotia, making it the first province to announce a full flavour ban. […]
- Securing SoCal water to benefit NorCal salmonby Jim Germond on December 6, 2019 at 5:18 am
Transferring water rights between Southern and Northern California may promise a future for Feather River's chinook salmon. […]
- Ski waxes still contain high PFOA levels, study suggestsby Jim Germond on December 6, 2019 at 4:50 am
Concerns stem from the way that waxes can rub off in the snow and remain in the environment. […]
- Turkey Point reactors get OK to run until 2053by Jim Germond on December 6, 2019 at 4:27 am
In an unprecedented decision, regulators approved FPL's Turkey Point reactors to run for at least 80 years. […]
- Rubio wants Florida offshore drilling promise from Interiorby Jim Germond on December 6, 2019 at 4:18 am
Sen. Marco Rubio said he's holding up President Donald Trump's nominee to oversee the Interior Department's drilling plan for offshore oil and gas. […]
- Rubio: Gold smuggling a “direct threat” to U.S. interestsby Jim Germond on December 6, 2019 at 4:00 am
Sen. Marco Rubio cited a cornucopia of evils unleashed by illegal mining including human trafficking, disease, mercury poisoning and widespread deforestation […]
- Nestlé cannot claim bottled water is 'essential public service', court rulesby Jim Germond on December 6, 2019 at 3:17 am
Michigan's second-highest court rules in favor of township in case that could damage company's effort to privatize water. […]
- Danger in the ground: Lead contaminates westside Atlanta neighborhoodby Jim Germond on December 6, 2019 at 2:52 am
Emory and EPA researchers speculate that homes were built on top of slag, a byproduct of smelting, spread from nearby foundries. […]
- Will Buffalo become a climate change haven?by Jim Germond on December 6, 2019 at 2:21 am
The Western New York city possesses the weather and geography to become a potential climate haven. But for whom? […]
- No shit: why Milwaukee has great sewersby Jim Germond on December 6, 2019 at 2:07 am
The city now averages a mere 2.4 combined sewer overflows a year, thanks to a massive underground tunnel, green infrastructure, and flood-control measures. […]
- Pollutionwatch: exposing the threat of ultrafine particlesby Gary Fuller on December 5, 2019 at 9:30 pm
Campaigners say regulations are overlooking the health impacts of these tiny toxic materialsMore than 30 of Europe’s air pollution and health experts […]
- Plastic pollution kills half a million hermit crabs on remote islandsby Jessica Murray on December 5, 2019 at 12:01 am
Experts fear species decline after huge number of deaths on Henderson and CocosMore than half a million hermit crabs have been killed after becoming trapped in […]
- Hundreds Expected Saturday at Tucson Border Wall Protest With Rep. Grijalvaon December 5, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- Trump Administration OKs ‘Cyanide Bombs’ Despite Indiscriminate Killing of Thousands of Animals a Yearon December 5, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- Two Southern Arizona Plants Proposed for Endangered Species Act Protectionon December 5, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- Tackling degraded oceans could mitigate climate crisis - reportby Fiona Harvey in Madrid on December 4, 2019 at 12:01 am
Greenpeace says efforts to restore seas’ ecosystems would boost their capacity to absorb heat and store carbonHalting overfishing and the plastic […]
- No Roads to Ruin Coalition to Launch Campaign Against Florida Toll Roads at Capitol Thursdayon December 4, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- Analysis: Earth-friendly Event Menus Can Save Up to 10 Tons of Climate Pollutionon December 4, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- Leaders at Climate Summit Urged to Reduce Greenhouse Pollution From Food, Agricultureon December 4, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- Lawsuit Launched to Protect Minnesota’s Rare Lynx From Trappingon December 4, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- Flawed Wildlife Bill OK’d by House Natural Resources Committeeon December 4, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- Mike Mann, Other Experts to Expose Fossil Fuel Industry’s Shifting Tactics to Block Climate Action at San Francisco Eventon December 3, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- Army Report Reveals Military Base’s Harm to San Pedro River Stretches Back to 2003on December 3, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- Legal Petition Seeks New Air Pollution Standards for Petrochemical Plantson December 3, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- Legal Filing Challenges Trump Administration Failure to Halt Fossil Fuel Expansion in 20-year Plan for Texas, Kansas, Oklahomaon December 3, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- Lawsuit Aims to Protect Students, Chapel Hill-Carrboro From UNC’s Coal Pollutionon December 3, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- VW accused of using 'innovative' defences in high court battleby Sandra Laville on December 2, 2019 at 4:35 pm
Lawyers bring biggest class action of its kind in Britain against carmaker over emissions scandalVolkswagen has employed a range of “progressively more […]