Protect Kauai's Resources

SUBHEAD: Kekaha shrimp farm is an environmental and economic disaster for the county.From: In Our Opinon on 27 March 2011 in The Garden Island -(http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_63f6adc6-5842-11e0-97fa-001cc4c03286.html)Image above: Sunrise Capital employee adding chemicals to test pit in March 2010. Photo by Juan Wilson.As if flushing up to 20 million gallons a day of

McDonald's Sources

SOURCE: Joanne Paipona (paipona@hotmail.com)SUBHEAD: McDonald's launches new sourcing policy for palm oil, paper, beef to reduce global environmental impact.By Rhett Butler on 11 March 2011 on Mongabay.com - (http://news.mongabay.com/2011/0310-mcdonalds.html)Image above: Big Mac Meal. The cornerstone of the McDonald's menu.McDonald's announced a far-reaching sourcing policy that could

Interview with Ellen LaConte

SUBHEAD: Eco-economies are local and regional, place-based, functionally self-reliant, interdependent, mutually supportive, regenerative, restorative and resilient.By Robert Jensen on 8 March 2011 in Energy Bulletin - (http://www.energybulletin.net/stories/2011-03-08/listening-life-it%E2%80%99s-too-late-interview-ellen-laconte)Image above: "Mother Earth" by Stephen Alcorn (2005). From (http:/

We’re taking the planet with us

SUBHEAD: Elites turn citizens into serfs and the natural world into a wasteland for profit.By Chris Hedges on 7 March 2011 in Truthdig - (http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/this_time_were_taking_the_whole_planet_with_us_20110307)Image above: "The Ruins of Kom Ombo" by David Roberts (1838). From (http://www.travellersinegypt.org/archives/2005/02/david_roberts.html).I have walked through the

Environmentalist going to prison

SUBHEAD: Climate activist Tim DeChristopher convicted on two felony counts for disrupting a Bush rigged federal land auction.By Brian Merchant on 3 March 2011 for Treehugger - (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/03/climate-activist-tim-dechristopher-convicted-felonies.php)Image above: Photo of Tim DeChristopher. From (http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kuer/news/news.newsmain/article/184/0/

The Story of Citizens United

SUBHEAD: “Corporations have no consciences, no beliefs, no feelings, no thoughts and no desires.”By Annie Leonard on 1 March 2011 in Yes Magazine -(http://www.yesmagazine.org/people-power/the-story-of-citizens-united)Image above: Still frame from Annie Leonard's "The Story Citizens United vs FEC". See video below.Do you want a healthy environment, good jobs with fair wages, access to affordable

Oppose extending fish farm leases

SOURCE: Shannon Rudolph (shannonkona@gmail.com)SUBHEAD: Proposed Hawaii bill would increase ocean fish farm leases from 35 years up to 65 years.Image above: Inside fish farm off the coast of the Big Island. From (http://www.noaa.gov/features/resources_0109/images/aqua1.jpg). See also (http://www.lib.noaa.gov/retiredsites/docaqua/reports_noaaresearch/hooarrprept.htm) and (http://eatdrinkbetter.com

Giant Brazil Dam Blocked

SUBHEAD: Construction of Belo Monte Dam in Amazon delayed by judge on environmental gounds.Image above: Protest of indigenous people along Amazon River to be affected by dam. From original article.After decades of protests against what would be the world's third largest hydroelectric facility, Brazilian officials finally approved construction on the controversial dam at Belo Monte just one month

Commission denies copter tours

SUBHEAD: Planning Commission overrules Department to protect the fragile ecosystem of Kauai.[Editor's Note: We applaud the Planning Commission for overriding the Planning Department Recommendation to approve landing helicopters near a secluded waterfall with a delicate ecosystem. We hope to see the Planning Commission continue to serving it's intended role: to direct the Planning Department to

End of GMOs in wildlife refuges

SUBHEAD: Fish & Wildlife Service pulls GMO crops from wildlife refuges in the U.S. Northeast.By Rachel Cernanski on 17 February 2011 for4 TreeHugger - (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/01/fish-wildlife-service-pulls-gmo-crops-wildlife-refuges-us-northeast.php)Image above: GMO corn growing in wildlife refuge. From original article.As part of a lawsuit settlement, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife

Grove Farms' house environmentalist

SUBHEAD: Being in bed with Grove Farms leads one to do ugly things - even an "environmentalist".By Andy Parx on 14 February 2011 for Parx News Network -(http://parxnewsdaily.blogspot.com/2011/02/its-my-party-and-ill-whine-if-i-want-to.html)Image above: Mahaulepu terrain floats over southside breakers. From (https://picasaweb.google.com/mjwanat/Kauai#5416686298576987378).You wouldn’t know it from

Namibia Coast National Park

SUBHEAD: Namibia has become the first country to designate its entire coastline a national park.By Mark Rowe on 12 February 2011 for the Telegraph -(http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/8318338/Whole-coastline-of-Namibia-is-designated-a-national-park.html)Image above: Gate to Skeleton Coast Park. From (http://media.photobucket.com/image/namibia%20coast/Charles_Ansdell/Namibia%202010/

Perils of Tree Planting

SUBHEAD: We subconsciously believe that nature should consist of green forests, even in grassland ecosystems.By Jennifer Hattam on 5 February 2011 for TreeHugger - (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/02/the-perils-of-tree-planting-programs-in-turkey.php)Image above: Turkey's arid central Anatolian steppe is a threatened landscape. Photo by Jennifer Hattam for original article. The most common

Brazil Approves Giant Dam

SUBHEAD: Clearing of square mile of Amazon Forest approved to begin construction of Belo Monte Dam on Xingu River.By Stephen Messinger on 27 Janaury 2011 for Treehugger - (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/01/brazil-approves-clearing-forest-for-belo-monte-dam.php)Image above: Jurena people's life of fishing and travel on the Xingu River is threatened by Belo Monte Dam. From video below. After

Neonicotinoid Pesticides kill Bees

SOURCE: Ken Taylor (taylork021@Hawaii.rr.com)SUBHEAD: Fresh evidence links neonicotinoid pesticides to death of the honeybee spurs calls for banning the pesticides.Dr. Mae-Wan Ho on 24 January 2011 for ISIS - (http://www.i-sis.org.uk/banNeonicotinoidPesticidesToSaveHoneybee.php)Image above: Bayer's miracle - "A simple method of insect control consists of drenching the soil around a tree with a

Resisting the Green Dragon

SUBHEAD: Religious Group Puts Out 12 DVD Series on Environmentalists' "Spiritual Deception".By Daniel Kessler on 18 December 2010 in TreeHugger.org - (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/12/religious-grren-dragon.php)Image above: Graphic of a green dragon wrapped around a Christian cross. From (http://pictures.augustow.pl/green-dragon-picture.html).The Family Research Council's Tony Perkins, via

Hooser for BLNR Chair!

SUBHEAD: Now is the time to lobby Governor elect Abercrombie to appoint Hooser as the Board of Land and Natural Resources Chairperson.Image above: Gary Hooser speaks at Clean Energy Rally in Honolulu 4/27/09. From (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14746243@N04/3654807823/in/photostream/).By Linda Pascatore on 27 November 2010 -After the primary election, we published a call to lobby Neil Abercrombie,

Indonesia cheats on reforestation

SUBHEAD: Indonesia using $1 billion in forest protection funds to clear cut forests.Image above: Peat forest leveled for palm oil in Riau, Indonesia. From article (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wak1/661247561/).By Brian Merchant on 23 November 2010 for TreeHugger.com - (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/11/indonesia-use-1-billion-forest-protection-funds-cut-down.php)t was a trailblazing '

Aha Moku Gathering

SUBHEAD: This was a gathering of the Hawaiian nation, in the best sense. Let us hope more youngsters will participate in the future.Image above: Detail of conference poster celebrating the gathering of the net created by Oliver Kinney. By Juan Wilson on 22 November 2010 - On Friday and Saturday I attended a conference at the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu on Oahu. It's title was Ho'olei '

Kekaha Shrimp Farm Hearing

SUBHEAD: We should not endanger the reefs with the risk of another shrimp farm discharge disaster.[Publisher's note: Editor Brad Parson's identified that the period for accepting testimony on this issue was extended to December 3rd 2010. The e-mail address for your comments is cleanwaterbranch@doh.hawaii.gov]Image above: One of several shrimp ponds being prepared in March 2010 for use in Kekaha.