Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
plantation was finally cleaned up. Some other former agricultural land has been success-
fully placed under conservation easement protections for future generations. Statewide
issues yet to be resolved include water pollution caused by agricultural runoff and de-
bates over whether GMOs (genetically modified organisms) should be outlawed.
Long-standing friction over the US military presence also continues, especially on
Oʻahu. Unfortunately, the military has not always fully complied with environmental
regulations, while some training maneuvers have negatively impacted Native Hawaiian
cultural sites and local communities. For example, in 2002 it was discovered that the
army dumped tons of conventional weapons off the Waiʻanae Coast in western Oʻahu; it
took almost a decade for ʻOrdnance Reef,' littered with military munitions, to be cleaned
up. In 2008, conflicts with environmental and Native Hawaiian groups over the military's
plans to conduct maneuvers with Stryker combat vehicles on Oʻahu and the Big Island
had to be settled by lawsuit.
By the Sea
In contrast to the land, Hawaii's coral reefs are comparatively healthy. Overfishing is a
major concern, however. Three-quarters of Hawaii's reef fish have been depleted during
the last century. Not surprisingly, the species most in danger are those fish popular for
aquariums or eating. Some islands have banned laying gill nets and encouraged sustain-
able fishing practices.
A multicultural grassroots environmental alliance, Kahea (
www.kahea.org
) tackles a
wide range of ecological, developmental and cultural issues. Check for action alerts on-
line.
Hawaii's shorelines are still in danger. The threat of rising seas due to global warming
and persistent beach erosion are raising alarm bells. Scientific studies have found that
25% of beaches on Oʻahu and Maui have been lost in the last 50 years. Meanwhile, if sea
levels rise one to three feet by the end of this century as predicted, half of Waikiki's ho-
tels will find themselves standing in the ocean.
