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Islands tend to have fragile ecosystems. Many have few if any native mammals, so when humans bring in sheep, goats, pigs, and other livestock and release them into the wild, massive destruction of plant life and erosion often follows. Fresh water tends to be in short supply, and many islands struggle to balance residential, commercial, and agricultural demands.
Years ago, the Army seized Makua Valley on O’ahu for training and other uses. David Henkin has represented Native Hawaiian people trying to stop damage to cultural sites in the valley. Here’s his story of an inspiring celebration.
Read more about Hawaiian traditions at Makua
Hawai'i base would destroy cultural sites -- less harmful options must be considered
A federal judge rules that the USDA issued permits illegally for the planting of genetically-engineered crops in Hawai'i
Environmental and disaster review of airport irradiator project necessary, NRC licensing board agrees
Order to release information is a major victory for citizen oversight of biopharmaceutical experiments.
An Earthjustice suit forces NMFS to acknowledge the impact of longline fisheries on the Hawai`i population of false killer whales.
A March 2004 settlement requires the military to stop conducting prescribed burns at Makua Military Reservation and to complete their consultation with the USFWS in an effort to protect native Hawaiian cultural sites and endangered plants and animals.
Earthjustice wins another victory in the Waiahole Ditch case, garnering further proctection for Windward O`ahu streams and the communities that depend on them.
Swordfishing Threatening Protected Turtles
Maui Meadows Homeowners Association wins designation for the`Iao Aquifer, the principal source of drinking water for Central and South Maui and Pa`ia, as state ground water management areas.
On October 15, 2002, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed to designate more than 30,000 acres of critical habitat to allow for the recovery of endangered birds and bats native to Guam and Rota.
Kamehameha withdraws permit application and agrees to leave Windward O`ahu water in its streams.
Kamehameha Schools to fully restore flows to three streams that feed the famous falls
Federal Judge Faults Navy Bombing of Pacific Island
Under court order, in 2003, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service made final designations of more than 400,000 acres of critical habitat for scores of species of endangered and threatened plants native to Hawai`i.
A century ago, most of the water that supported Native Hawaiian communities, their taro patches, and their fisheries on the east side of O`ahu was diverted to the central part of the island to grow sugar. When Big Sugar pulled up stakes decades later, a mighty struggle ensued. Should the water go to restore what was lost, or be used for golf courses and expensive crops? Tom Turner tells the tale.
