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.
- To protect a critical forest in Appalachia, a foundation goes beyond grantmakingby Douglas Fischer on August 16, 2019 at 4:17 pm
A rare opportunity to conserve a large swath of land led the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation to make a large and unusual program-related investment. But the […]
- This land is a sanctuary for aboriginal women. Bulldozers may soon come.by Laura Pyle on August 16, 2019 at 11:25 am
Indigenous Australians have camped for over a year to block a proposed highway upgrade. The protest has become a homecoming that has allowed many to reconnect […]
- Sustainable farming lessons from the Amazon’s ancient inhabitantsby Autumnspanne1 on August 16, 2019 at 11:24 am
The rainforest's early inhabitants numbered in the millions, and that they managed the landscape intensively, in complex and sustainable ways — offering […]
- See the complicated landscape of plastic bans in the USby Autumnspanne1 on August 16, 2019 at 11:23 am
A new map shows where states have banned plastic—and where states have banned bans on plastic. […]
- The F.D.A.’s new cigarette warnings are disturbing. See for yourself.by Laura Pyle on August 16, 2019 at 11:22 am
Weakened by court battles with major tobacco companies, the F.D.A. has softened its depictions of smoking-related illnesses required for cigarette packs. […]
- How one billionaire could keep three countries hooked on coal for decadesby Megan McLaughlin on August 16, 2019 at 11:22 am
The story of a mining project in Australia helps to explain why the world keeps burning coal despite the profound risk it poses to the future. […]
- Facing opposition, EPA backtracks on use of ‘cyanide bombs’ to kill wild animalsby EHN Staff on August 16, 2019 at 10:44 am
The federal agency said it was re-evaluating the use of the M-44 poison devices, which are used to kill thousands of coyotes and foxes. […]
- The rebirth of nuclear power could come from Bellevue, if Congress approvesby Jim Germond on August 16, 2019 at 10:21 am
A decade after it was founded, TerraPower has been thwarted by the Trump Administration’s China policy. Now it’s banking on Plan B. […]
- Environmentalists weigh in on right whale rules for lobster industryby Jim Germond on August 16, 2019 at 10:06 am
Lobstermen packed meetings in midcoast and eastern Maine, but environmentalists took their turn defending the endangered species in South Portland on Thursday […]
- Arundel farmers say their blood samples show high levels of ‘forever chemicals’by Jim Germond on August 16, 2019 at 10:00 am
Fred and Laura Stone's dairy farm has been shut down because of contamination from PFAS they say got into their water, soil and cows' milk from municipal […]
- Scientists observe new habitat growth, extensive reef damage in Papahanaumokuakeaby Jim Germond on August 16, 2019 at 9:49 am
Scientists also discovered what appears to be an invasive species of algae. […]
- eDNA ‘opens up a whole world’ of oceanography researchby Jim Germond on August 16, 2019 at 9:42 am
A new tool in marine research known as eDNA enables scientists to capture a snapshot of ocean communities without touching a single fish. […]
- Greta Thunberg: Caroline Lucas reports Arron Banks to Twitterby Jim Germond on August 16, 2019 at 9:34 am
Brexit campaigner Arron Banks says his tweet about "freak yachting accidents" was a joke. […]
- Canada open to putting more limits on exports of plastic waste: McKennaby Jim Germond on August 16, 2019 at 9:28 am
Environment Minister Catherine McKenna says she has asked her department to look at what else Canada can do to reduce the amount of Canadian garbage that is […]
- Precision conservation: High tech to the rescue in the Peruvian Amazonby Jim Germond on August 16, 2019 at 9:19 am
Conservation leaders join successfully with technologists to thwart artisanal gold mining and illegal logging by creating early warning systems and […]
- Sick bald eagle found upside down in U.P. tree has sky-high lead poisoningby Jim Germond on August 16, 2019 at 9:12 am
The eagle was likely sickened after eating fish poisoned with lead tackle. […]
- Testing and follow-up urged for Newark, doctors caution against panicby Jim Germond on August 16, 2019 at 9:07 am
Medical experts based in Newark advise against panic over elevated levels of lead in some of the city's water; they note most lead poisoning cases there are […]
- Germany′s Maas tours Canada′s melting Arcticby Jim Germond on August 16, 2019 at 8:58 am
Visiting Canada's melting Arctic, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has said Europe had an "extraordinary" task to slash fossil fuel emissions. If it didn't, […]
- 'Aquarela' makes climate change scaryby Jim Germond on August 16, 2019 at 8:49 am
Without a cast or narration, the abstract film attempts to convey the urgency of our warming planet. But will it reach enough people to matter? […]
- Denver residents are fighting for bike safetyby Jim Germond on August 16, 2019 at 8:40 am
After two deaths and a shift in the conversation in Colorado, advocates are cautiously optimistic that change is coming […]
- Canadian taxpayers on hook for $61 million for road to open up mining in Arcticby Jim Germond on August 16, 2019 at 8:28 am
MMG Limited, a mining company controlled by the Chinese government, praised the public investment in Arctic infrastructure as biologists sounded the alarm […]
- How rollbacks to the U.S. Endangered Species Act could impact conservation in Canadaby Jim Germond on August 16, 2019 at 8:14 am
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced some of the biggest changes in decades to the U.S. Endangered Species Act. The move will have ripple effects in […]
- PennEnvironment says incoming Allegheny County health director must prioritize air qualityby Autumnspanne1 on August 16, 2019 at 4:40 am
Environmental activists are asking the Allegheny County Health Department to step up air quality monitoring and enforcement. […]
- Layoffs at PES refinery begin, as union argues for continued presence due to safety concernsby Autumnspanne1 on August 16, 2019 at 4:36 am
"The units need to be safely idled, and the people they intend to have that done are not qualified." […]
- 'It’s real, it’s happening now': Climate change panelists urge swift actionby Autumnspanne1 on August 16, 2019 at 4:29 am
More than 400 people turn out for opportunity to learn more about the climate change and pathways to address the global problem. […]
- Will PA miss 2025 pollution reduction goals by 19 years?by Autumnspanne1 on August 16, 2019 at 4:22 am
DEP will present Pennsylvania's final draft of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan to the PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan Steering […]
- Dept. of Health to distribute free potassium iodide tablets around Pennsylvania's 5 nuclear power plantsby Autumnspanne1 on August 16, 2019 at 4:18 am
The Department of Health will offer free potassium iodide, or KI, tablets to Pennsylvanians who live or work within 10 miles of the state's five nuclear power […]
- See which nations are claiming parts of the melting Arcticby Autumnspanne1 on August 16, 2019 at 3:59 am
The eight nations that encircle the region are scrambling to project power in a daunting landscape. […]
- A thawing Arctic is heating up a new Cold Warby Autumnspanne1 on August 16, 2019 at 3:57 am
Nations—and their militaries—are scrambling to control long-frozen resources and new shipping routes. […]
- The melting Arctic is now open for businessby Autumnspanne1 on August 16, 2019 at 3:52 am
As receding ice opens up new shipping routes, companies see room for profit. […]
- State government-funded managers urge cane farmers to question reef scienceby Ben Smee on August 14, 2019 at 6:00 pm
Exclusive: Speaking tour by controversial academic Peter Ridd is being supported by sugarcane managers paid for with Queensland government fundsSupport our […]
- Microplastics ‘significantly contaminating the air’, scientists warnby Damian Carrington Environment editor on August 14, 2019 at 6:00 pm
Discovery of pollution in snowfall from the Arctic to the Alps leads to call for urgent research on potential human health impactsAbundant levels of […]
- Iconic Sturgeon of Great Lakes, Mississippi River Take Step Toward Endangered Species Protectionon August 14, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- Farmers, Conservationists Challenge Approval of Monsanto’s Crop-damaging Dicamba Pesticideon August 14, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- CITES’ Last Chance to Save Vaquita Porpoiseon August 14, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- Endangered Species Act Protection Sought for Las Vegas Bearpoppyon August 14, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- Trump Administration to Strip Florida Key Deer of Federal Protectionon August 14, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- Trump Administration Denies Protection to Six More Imperiled Specieson August 14, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- Lawsuit Takes on Trump’s Dirty Power Planon August 14, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- Notre Dame cathedral sealed off for huge lead decontamination operationby Kim Willsher on August 13, 2019 at 11:36 am
Area around site sealed off for 10 days to remove hazardous dust that has settled since fire in AprilClean-up workers have begun a huge […]
- Lawsuit Challenges Trump EPA’s Failure to Protect California’s Ventura County From Deadly Smogon August 13, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- Trump Visit to Plastic Plant Ignores Pollution Crisis, Outdated Federal Ruleson August 13, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- Lawsuit Launched to Protect Green Sea Turtle Habitat Threatened by Sea-level Rise, Plastic Pollution, Warmingon August 13, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- New Lawsuit Launched Against Mountain Valley Pipeline in Virginiaon August 12, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- Trump Finalizes Disastrous Weakening of Endangered Species Acton August 12, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- Court OKs Ban on Wildlife Cyanide Poisoning Across 10 Million Acres of Wyomingon August 12, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- Suspected 'pollution incident' turns River Frome tributary blueby Nadeem Badshah on August 10, 2019 at 2:39 pm
Environment Agency analysing Somerset stream but says there are no reports of dead wildlifeA mysterious substance that has turned a tributary of a river in the […]
- Fatbergs: 'flushable' wet wipes are creating an environmental catastrophe – videoby David Fanner on August 9, 2019 at 10:16 pm
Fatbergs, caused by an entangled mess of wet wipes 'mortared together' by fats, oils and grease to form rock-hard material, are creating a 'real problem with […]
- Cancer Town: Rev William Barber visits town at heart of Guardian campaign – videoby Oliver Laughland, Tom Silverstone and Nisa East on August 9, 2019 at 9:00 am
The Guardian invited the civil rights leader to the community on the banks of the Mississippi River where the people face the highest risk of cancer due to […]
- Legal Action Opposes Federal Approval of Southern California Damon August 8, 2019 at 12:00 am
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