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.
- America, where preventing widespread death is politically controversial.by Peter Dykstra on May 30, 2020 at 2:01 pm
How the rugged individualist culture here in the United States has contributed to the toll that the virus has taken on our communities.
- Living on Earth: Beyond the Headlinesby Peter Dykstra on May 30, 2020 at 11:45 am
Peter Dykstra and Host Steve Curwood discuss how stagnant plumbing may pose a health risk as public buildings that had been shut down during the pandemic […]
- Ga. woman pleads guilty to selling pesticide she said fought COVID-19by Peter Dykstra on May 30, 2020 at 11:39 am
A Fayetteville woman who sold an illegal pesticide she claimed would protect against COVID-19 has pleaded guilty, authorities said Friday.
- World health leaders urge green recovery from coronavirus crisisby Peter Dykstra on May 30, 2020 at 11:31 am
Open letter to G20 leaders says addressing climate breakdown key to global revival
- Opinion | The Amazon Will Soon Burn Again - The New York Timesby Peter Dykstra on May 30, 2020 at 11:15 am
The rainforest and its Indigenous groups face existential threats, while criminals act as if they have license to plunder.
- They blinded us with SCIENCE!by Peter Dykstra on May 30, 2020 at 11:00 am
The music video for Thomas Dolby's quirky, synthesizer-driven 1980's hit featured a possibly deranged codger in a lab coat waving an index finger and […]
- Next UN climate summit to be delayed to November 2021, UK hosts proposeby Peter Dykstra on May 30, 2020 at 10:53 am
The Cop26 negotiations in Glasgow, UK, are likely to be held a full year later than planned, to allow time to bring the coronavirus pandemic under control
- How America became addicted to food delivery and takeoutby Laura Pyle on May 29, 2020 at 6:59 pm
America loves ordering in, especially amid the coronavirus pandemic. But our hunger for convenience could bury the planet in trash.
- South Asia’s twin threat: Extreme heat and foul airby Laura Pyle on May 29, 2020 at 6:48 pm
Climate change means many health risks. Any one of them raises the danger. What happens when extreme heat meets bad air? South Asia's humid megacities face […]
- Cut air pollution to help avoid second coronavirus peak, MPs urgeby Damian Carrington Environment editor on May 29, 2020 at 4:42 pm
Cross-party group highlights new evidence on how dirty air may worsen infections Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageAir […]
- Reducing transmission of SARS-CoV-2by Pete Myers on May 29, 2020 at 2:45 pm
Infectious aerosol particles can be released during breathing and speaking by asymptomatic infected individuals. No masking maximizes exposure, whereas […]
- “The Triumph of Doubt”: Inside corporations’ war on scienceby EHN Staff on May 29, 2020 at 2:13 pm
A new book explains how corporations create a climate of doubt around science and expertise.
- Killer whale migration upends Arctic watersby Laura Pyle on May 29, 2020 at 1:03 pm
Slipping through the frigid water, the sleek black dorsal fin of a killer whale is iconic; but they're being seen in new parts of the world more frequently, […]
- Opinion: Listen to experts and tackle the toxic chemical crisis contributing to chronic diseaseby Pete Myers on May 29, 2020 at 12:57 pm
Exposure to toxic chemicals is contributing to rates of chronic illnesses and amplifying the impacts of Covid-19.
- U.N. delays crucial climate summit for a year, cites pandemicby Autumnspanne1 on May 29, 2020 at 11:28 am
The coronavirus pandemic has prompted the United Nations to delay until late 2021 a crucial climate summit that had been scheduled for Britain this year, […]
- Fracking linked to rare birth defect in horses: Studyby Kristina Marusic on May 29, 2020 at 11:25 am
A new study has uncovered a link between fracking chemicals in farm water and a rare birth defect in horses—which researchers say could serve as a […]
- How a lack of water fueled COVID-19 in Navajo Nationby Jim Germond on May 29, 2020 at 11:24 am
The Navajo Nation has the highest known rate of coronavirus in the country and a long history of being denied their legal right to water access.
- The birds are not on lockdown, and more people are watching themby Autumnspanne1 on May 29, 2020 at 11:23 am
Bird-watching has surged in popularity during the pandemic. It’s easy to start, and you can do it anywhere — even from inside, and even in urban […]
- Are we past the peak of Big Oil’s power?by Megan McLaughlin on May 29, 2020 at 11:22 am
The political power of the fossil-fuel industry has always been the single biggest obstacle to making real progress in the fight against climate change, and it […]
- Pennsylvania: For Clairton's most vulnerable, indoor air purifiers a lifesaverby Autumnspanne1 on May 29, 2020 at 11:17 am
Coalition offers free air purification equipment to high health risk Clairton residents.
- County fines U.S. Steel more than $360K for violations at Clairton plantby Autumnspanne1 on May 29, 2020 at 11:15 am
The Allegheny County Health Department on Wednesday fined U.S. Steel $361,400 for over 300 air pollution and permit violations at the Clairton Coke Works […]
- The grand old trees of the world are dying, leaving forests younger and shorterby Autumnspanne1 on May 29, 2020 at 11:06 am
The effects on wildlife and the ability of forests to store CO2 from fossil fuels could be enormous.
- Post-pandemic public transit's goals may have to changeby Autumnspanne1 on May 29, 2020 at 10:58 am
Concept designs with plexiglass shields probably aren’t coming to transit. Instead, cities have to figure out how to make the systems safe and useful for […]
- Electric utilities challenged for slow-walking switch from natural gas to clean renewable energyby Autumnspanne1 on May 29, 2020 at 10:52 am
Despite pressure to switch to renewable energy, some projections show steady or even increasing reliance on natural gas well into the future.
- When COVID-19 hits a rural meatpacking plant, county infection rates soar to five times the averageby Autumnspanne1 on May 29, 2020 at 10:49 am
Rural counties that contain meatpacking plants with outbreaks of COVID-19 have infection rates that are five-times higher on average than the rest of rural […]
- From beetles to butterflies, scientists and landowners are working to bring endangered insects back from the brinkby Autumnspanne1 on May 29, 2020 at 10:46 am
Insects play an important role in the well-being of people and ecosystems — and people have a vital role to play in insects' well-being, too.
- Industrial meat 101: Could large livestock operations cause the next pandemic?by Autumnspanne1 on May 29, 2020 at 10:38 am
Novel viruses have been emerging in CAFOs for years. Advocates say coronavirus should act as a wake-up call.
- EPA science advisers evaluate agency's coronavirus research agendaby Autumnspanne1 on May 29, 2020 at 10:35 am
The group of experts that advises the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on scientific matters submitted a draft review of the agency's research agenda for […]
- Utilities in developing countries try to keep water flowing during pandemic and beyondby Autumnspanne1 on May 29, 2020 at 10:30 am
Water utilities are experiencing a ‘double hit’ in their finances that could hinder operations into the future.
- The FDA relaxes food label rules for fifth time during the pandemicby Autumnspanne1 on May 29, 2020 at 10:11 am
The FDA just made it easier for food manufacturers to substitute ingredients and for vending machine operators to ditch calorie information.
- In Puerto Rico, an economic disaster looms amid fears of coronavirusby Autumnspanne1 on May 29, 2020 at 10:09 am
The island’s swift lockdown has further frayed a safety net strained by hurricanes and political upheaval.
- Court Rejects Koch Brothers-funded Group’s Attack on Rare Texas Arachnidon May 29, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Center for Biological Diversity Statement on Murder of George Floyd, Institutional Racism, Presidential Threat of Violenceon May 29, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Southern California Flower Recovered, No Longer Needs Endangered Species Protectionon May 29, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Animal feedlots are a likely threat to drinking water in Minnesota, says reportby Sophie Kevany on May 28, 2020 at 10:00 am
Manure from the state’s 80 million farm animals risks overloading its rivers and lakes with nitrogen and phosphorusMillions of tons of manure from […]
- Lawsuit Challenges Federal Approval of Jordan Cove Natural Gas Projecton May 28, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Appeals Court Upholds Order Blocking Keystone XL’s Water-crossing Permiton May 28, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Lawsuit Launched to Fight Trump EPA’s Delay in Reducing Sulfur Dioxide Air Pollutionon May 28, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Surgical masks wash up on Sydney beaches after 40 containers fall off cargo shipby Matilda Boseley with Australian Associated Press on May 27, 2020 at 12:45 am
APL England lost cargo in rough seas off Australia’s east coast, spilling household appliances, building materials and medical supplies […]
- Appeal Targets Mining Permits Near Boundary Waters Wilderness in Minnesotaon May 27, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Lawsuit Targets Trump Administration Push to Gut Car Pollution Standardson May 27, 2020 at 12:00 am
- EPA Asked to OK Bee-killing Dinotefuran on Apples, Peaches, Nectarineson May 27, 2020 at 12:00 am
- World health leaders urge green recovery from coronavirus crisisby Fiona Harvey Environment correspondent on May 26, 2020 at 5:00 am
Open letter to G20 leaders says addressing climate breakdown key to global revivalCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageDoctors and […]
- Trump Administration Again OKs Oil Drilling in California’s Carrizo Plain National Monumenton May 26, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Microplastic pollution in oceans vastly underestimated – studyby Damian Carrington Environment editor on May 22, 2020 at 5:01 am
Particles may outnumber zooplankton, which underpin marine life and regulate climateThe abundance of microplastic pollution in the oceans is likely to have […]
- Pollutionwatch: how bike roads can reduce exposure to toxic airby Gary Fuller on May 21, 2020 at 8:30 pm
With a return to car traffic when lockdown lifts, we must find ways to keep cyclists and walkers safePop-up cycle lanes, wider pavements and traffic-free […]
- Manchester becomes latest UK city to delay clean air zoneby Sandra Laville on May 21, 2020 at 3:45 pm
Leeds, Birmingham and Bath also push back green plans and blame coronavirus pandemicCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe […]
- Decades-long Campaign Forces Nevada Board to Kill Huge Las Vegas Groundwater Pipelineon May 21, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Public Outcry Prompts Minneapolis Park Board to Prioritize Nonlethal Responses to Wildlife Conflictson May 21, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Reward Increased to $3,500 for Info on Illegal Poisonings of Wolves, Family Dogson May 21, 2020 at 12:00 am