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.
- Iris van Herpen wants to save the planetby Laura Pyle on March 2, 2021 at 12:57 pm
The haute couture designer, whose gowns have been worn by Lady Gaga and Beyoncé, turns her hand to fabric made of plastic fished from the ocean.
- Can pollution regulations help an industry’s bottom line?by Megan McLaughlin on March 2, 2021 at 12:10 pm
A new study shows that certain industries in the right circumstances can benefit from air pollution regulations to boost their profits, running counter to the […]
- Northeast US: Walking, biking could save billions, livesby Megan McLaughlin on March 2, 2021 at 12:09 pm
New research examines the health and economic impact of proposed emissions caps coupled with investments that encourage biking and walking.
- In environmental justice push, lawmakers look to decrease toxins and reform government responsesby Autumnspanne1 on March 2, 2021 at 11:42 am
In taking a broader look at social justice and equity issues, Maryland lawmakers are considering a series of bills to mitigate harmful environmental toxins and […]
- Rooftop solar would boost electrical systems' resilienceby Autumnspanne1 on March 2, 2021 at 11:35 am
Federal funding could jumpstart rooftop solar, providing jobs, lower bills, and a boost to electric systems’ disaster resilience.
- Rivers and lakes are the most degraded ecosystems in the world. Can we save them?by Autumnspanne1 on March 2, 2021 at 11:15 am
We rely on fresh water for drinking, food, and sanitation, and they’re in trouble. But freshwater issues are becoming a higher priority for […]
- How Republicans are responding to Biden's climate agendaby Autumnspanne1 on March 2, 2021 at 11:11 am
Republicans offer responses to Biden’s climate agenda. Some of them are serious.
- Popular flea collar linked to almost 1,700 pet deaths. The EPA has issued no warningby Autumnspanne1 on March 2, 2021 at 11:09 am
Seresto, one of the most popular flea and tick collars in the country, has been linked to hundreds of pet deaths, tens of thousands of injured animals and […]
- What if USPS delivered local produce in the mail?by Autumnspanne1 on March 2, 2021 at 11:07 am
Farmers Post would let people sign up for cheap boxes of fresh produce from their local farms and get them delivered to their door.
- California’s vaccine rollout has yet to reach most farmworkersby Autumnspanne1 on March 2, 2021 at 10:58 am
While some large ag companies are working to bring on-site vaccination stations to their workers, complications abound in protecting these front-line workers […]
- Shingle Mountain, a giant pile of pollution in Black and Latino Dallas, is finally goneby Autumnspanne1 on March 2, 2021 at 10:46 am
The mountain of pollution is gone, replaced today with the sound of music.
- Farther, faster and no sweat: Bike-sharing and the e-bike boomby Autumnspanne1 on March 2, 2021 at 10:42 am
Social-distancing, sustainability and accessibility helped accelerate e-biking during the pandemic, and the trend is showing up in urban bike-sharing programs.
- Volvo plans to sell only electric cars by 2030by Autumnspanne1 on March 2, 2021 at 10:38 am
It plans to convert its entire lineup to battery power by 2030, phasing out internal combustion engine vehicles faster than other automakers.
- Virus variant in Brazil infected many who had already recovered from COVID-19by Autumnspanne1 on March 2, 2021 at 10:27 am
The first detailed studies of the so-called P.1 variant show how it devastated a Brazilian city. Now scientists want to know what it will do elsewhere.
- Miami says it can adapt to rising seas. Not everyone is convincedby Autumnspanne1 on March 2, 2021 at 10:25 am
Officials have a new plan to manage rising water. Succeed or fail, it will very likely become a case study for other cities facing climate threats.
- Can we patch up the natural world we've hurt?by Autumnspanne1 on March 2, 2021 at 10:22 am
In “Under a White Sky,” Elizabeth Kolbert explores the human efforts to confront the effects of climate change, and all their unintended […]
- Tribes, fishermen decry Alaska and B.C. decision to end transboundary monitoringby Jim Germond on March 2, 2021 at 5:22 am
The U.S. and Canada say that with the completion of a 2-year report on stream monitoring, the work of the landmark commission is done. Tribes and fishing […]
- The shady practices that plague global fishingby Jim Germond on March 2, 2021 at 5:03 am
From setting up shell companies to using tax havens, the owners of fishing vessels employ extreme measures to hide their identities.
- Papua deforestation highlights eastward shift of Indonesia forest clearingby Jim Germond on March 2, 2021 at 4:58 am
Forests in parts of Indonesia regions that have remained largely untouched are now fast disappearing as deforestation driven by agribusiness and infrastructure […]
- Organizations aim to block funds for East African oil pipelineby Jim Germond on March 2, 2021 at 4:52 am
National and international NGOs from around the world have asked more than two dozen banks not to finance a 1,445-kilometer (898-mile) pipeline to shuttle oil […]
- How a gas company grossly underestimated one of the biggest pipeline spills in U.S. historyby Jim Germond on March 2, 2021 at 4:47 am
After the disaster in Huntersville, Colonial Pipeline now holds the record for largest gas spill in both North and South Carolina. Thanks to its polished P.R. […]
- Will America finally lead on climate?by Jim Germond on March 2, 2021 at 4:40 am
John Kerry understands the urgency of the moment better than anyone — and now has more power than ever to act.
- Rooftop solar would boost electrical systems’ resilienceby Jim Germond on March 2, 2021 at 4:34 am
Federal funding could jumpstart rooftop solar, providing jobs, lower bills, and a boost to electric systems’ disaster resilience.
- Louisiana Tumor Registry hasn't missed cancers around Denka, LSU says, but can't speak to causesby Jim Germond on March 2, 2021 at 4:27 am
An LSU audit takes pains to say it draws no conclusions about whether the Denka plant, and the chloroprene it emits, are a cause of any of the cancers recorded […]
- Attorneys for Flint residents ask judge to stop bone lead testing in water crisis settlementby Jim Germond on March 2, 2021 at 3:28 am
Seven attorneys who represent Flint residents in water crisis lawsuits against the state of Michigan, city of Flint and others are asking a U.S. District Court […]
- Lead pollution hung over Trail, B.C., for nearly a century. 30 years later, the city's still cleaning upby Jim Germond on March 2, 2021 at 3:20 am
For more than 30 years, a small city nestled in the mountains of British Columbia’s West Kootenay region has been working to clean up lead pollution that […]
- Insecticide known for killing pollinators found in deer across Minnesotaby Jim Germond on March 2, 2021 at 3:06 am
More research is needed to determine threat to deer populations.
- State of Nebraska sues Mead ethanol plant over pollutionby Jim Germond on March 2, 2021 at 2:59 am
The Nebraska Attorney General's Office sued AltEn on Monday after the troubled ethanol plant failed to meet a deadline to remove pesticide-laden waste product […]
- Cumbria coal mine plan 'damaging PM's reputation'by Jim Germond on March 2, 2021 at 2:49 am
Foreign ambassadors say Boris Johnson's tacit support for the mine prompts accusations of hypocrisy.
- UK cruise ships scrapped in India's 'ship graveyard'by Jim Germond on March 2, 2021 at 2:17 am
Months after being sold to buyers from outside the UK they were sold on as scrap.
- Congress Urged to Boost Funding for Endangered Species Conservation by $300 Millionon March 2, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Legal Challenge: Duke Energy Plan Would Supersize Climate Pollution, Waste Billions on Unused Power Plantson March 2, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Aviva sets target for net zero carbon footprint by 2040by Julia Kollewe on March 1, 2021 at 12:01 am
Asset manager tells 30 biggest carbon dioxide emitters in its portfolio to set net zero goalsAviva has become the first leading insurer worldwide to set a […]
- Endangered Species Act Protection Sought for Sacramento Mountains Checkerspot Butterflyon March 1, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Thames Water fined £2.3m for raw sewage pollution incidentby Diane Taylor on February 26, 2021 at 5:03 pm
Judge says firm’s breach of environmental standards in 2016 amounted to ‘high negligence’Thames Water, the UK’s largest water company, […]
- Texas facilities released 3.5m pounds of extra pollutants during winter stormby Aliya Uteuova on February 26, 2021 at 11:00 am
Emissions releases affected communities that are already disproportionately exposed to pollutionOil refineries, chemical manufacturers and other industrial […]
- It's not just oceans: scientists find plastic is also polluting the airby Gary Fuller on February 26, 2021 at 6:00 am
New research links Delhi’s thick smogs to burning of plasticsPlastic waste in our oceans is now a well-known issue but new data shows that plastic is […]
- New Drilling Project in Bay Area Wetlands Meets Resistanceon February 26, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Bureau of Land Management Rescinds Illegal Grazing Decision Day After Conservationists Sued to Overturn Iton February 26, 2021 at 12:00 am
- California’s Newest Wolf Travels Far South to Mono Countyon February 26, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Center for Biological Diversity Endorses Oregon Bill to End Mink Farming, Compensate State's Few Remaining Producerson February 25, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Lawsuit Launched to Protect Imperiled California Fishon February 25, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Report: Sprawl in Fire-prone Areas Endangers Californians, Increases Damages, Fire-suppression Costson February 25, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Utah Bill Would Allow Public Funding to Expand Fossil Fuel Extraction, Worsen Climate Crisison February 25, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Eastern Monarch Butterfly Population Falls Againon February 25, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Lawsuit Challenges Last-Minute Trump Administration Grazing Decision in Oregonon February 25, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Lawsuit Filed to Protect Endangered Wildlife, Plants From Dangerous Smogon February 25, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Newsom Administration Sued Over Thousands of Unlawful Oil, Gas Projectson February 24, 2021 at 12:00 am
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Urged to Rescind Agreement With NRAon February 24, 2021 at 12:00 am
- FERC Urged to Open Tennessee Valley Authority to Clean Energy Sourceson February 24, 2021 at 12:00 am