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| Plastics from around the world float onto the remote beaches of Ka`u, and young people help to clean it up in honor of Marine Debris Awareness Week. Photo by Megan Lamson |
The biggest CIP projects are with the state, including $20 million proposed for a gymnasium at the old tennis courts in Pahala on county land. The building would also serve as a disaster shelter and would be funded through bonds issued by the state through Gov. Neil Abercrombie. Both former County Council member Guy Enriques and current council member Brittany Smart worked on the proposal. The county Department of Public Works, Planning, the mayor’s office and Department of Parks and Recreation are coming up with a design-build plan for the governor. Another project in Ka`u is the long-awaited elevation of Hwy 11 near Kawa, which frequently floods, cutting off traffic and blocking access to the hospital in Pahala from Na`alehu.
NEW TRANSFER AND RECYCLING CENTERS for Volcano and Wai`ohinu are on the back burner for now. Council member Brittany Smart set up a meeting between residents and representatives of the county solid waste division in Volcano last night and Ocean View residents on Wednesday night to review plans for the area. These District 6 Matters meetings were specifically on solid waste, and Smart plans a series of such meetings on specific concerns, which she will take to each community.
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| Ocean View has a serious illegal dumping problem, and building a permanent transfer and recycling station is high on the county's list. Photo from EIS, Ocean View Recycling Point & Convenience Center |
Volcano residents talked about a big need for getting rid of green waste, and Ocean View residents were anxious to see a more permanent transfer and recycling station. County representatives said that the Ocean View station is a top priority and that plans for a brand new Wai`ohinu transfer station have been set aside.
Terin Gloor, who has been working for the county on the Ocean View solid waste, reviewed the plans for which environmental impact statements and design have been in progress for more than five years. Residents currently have a temporary container that is hauled in and out each week. They formerly had to drive toward Kona or to Wai`ohinu to get rid of rubbish, and dumping has long been a serious problem in Ocean View. Wai`ohinu has a wall in need of repair for which the county will try to find money.
THIS IS MARINE DEBRIS AWARENESS WEEK, and the fifth annual International Marine Debris Conference is being held in Hawai`i. Conferees are developing a commitment from international representatives to reduce ocean dumping that would cut back on trash that reaches some of the most remote places in the world, including the Ka`u Coast, where volunteers routinely clean up. According to conference proceedings, marine debris results in major consequences for marine habitats, biodiversity, human health and the global economy.
Terin Gloor, who has been working for the county on the Ocean View solid waste, reviewed the plans for which environmental impact statements and design have been in progress for more than five years. Residents currently have a temporary container that is hauled in and out each week. They formerly had to drive toward Kona or to Wai`ohinu to get rid of rubbish, and dumping has long been a serious problem in Ocean View. Wai`ohinu has a wall in need of repair for which the county will try to find money.
THIS IS MARINE DEBRIS AWARENESS WEEK, and the fifth annual International Marine Debris Conference is being held in Hawai`i. Conferees are developing a commitment from international representatives to reduce ocean dumping that would cut back on trash that reaches some of the most remote places in the world, including the Ka`u Coast, where volunteers routinely clean up. According to conference proceedings, marine debris results in major consequences for marine habitats, biodiversity, human health and the global economy.
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| Beach debris hauled in from the Ka`u Coast includes many plastics. Photo from Hawai`i Wildlife Fund |
At least 267 marine species are affected by entanglement in or ingestion of marine debris, including 86 percent of all sea turtles species, 44 percent of all seabird species and 43 percent of all marine mammal species.
There is growing concern over the potential impact on human health of toxic substances released by plastic waste in the ocean. The culprits are microplastics comprised of disintegrating plastic items or lost plastic pellets used by industry, which can accumulate contaminants linked to cancer, reproductive problems and other health risks. Scientists are studying whether these contaminants can enter the food chain when microplastics are ingested by marine animals.
Marine debris may house communities of invasive species which can disrupt marine habitats and ecosystems. Heavy items of marine debris can damage habitats such as coral reefs and affect the foraging and feeding habits of marine animals.
The commitment that came from the conference is called the Honolulu Strategy, and one of its main goals is to reduce both land and ocean sources of marine debris, and to educate people and governments to see waste as a resource to be managed. It calls for public awareness campaigns on the negative impacts of improper waste disposal – targeting street litter, illegal dumping of rubbish and poorly managed waste dumps.
The Republic of Korea is being held up as an example. It has a policy of Extended Producer Responsibility, enforced since 2003, targeting paper, glass, iron, aluminum and plastic as well as batteries, tires and lubricating oil. This initiative has resulted in the recycling of six million metric tons of waste in five years, increasing Korea’s recycling rate by 14 percent and creating economic benefits equivalent to $1.6 billion. Marine resources expert Megan Lamson, of Ka`u, is attending the conference, which has the theme Global Lessons to Inspire Local Action.
There is growing concern over the potential impact on human health of toxic substances released by plastic waste in the ocean. The culprits are microplastics comprised of disintegrating plastic items or lost plastic pellets used by industry, which can accumulate contaminants linked to cancer, reproductive problems and other health risks. Scientists are studying whether these contaminants can enter the food chain when microplastics are ingested by marine animals.
Marine debris may house communities of invasive species which can disrupt marine habitats and ecosystems. Heavy items of marine debris can damage habitats such as coral reefs and affect the foraging and feeding habits of marine animals.
The commitment that came from the conference is called the Honolulu Strategy, and one of its main goals is to reduce both land and ocean sources of marine debris, and to educate people and governments to see waste as a resource to be managed. It calls for public awareness campaigns on the negative impacts of improper waste disposal – targeting street litter, illegal dumping of rubbish and poorly managed waste dumps.
The Republic of Korea is being held up as an example. It has a policy of Extended Producer Responsibility, enforced since 2003, targeting paper, glass, iron, aluminum and plastic as well as batteries, tires and lubricating oil. This initiative has resulted in the recycling of six million metric tons of waste in five years, increasing Korea’s recycling rate by 14 percent and creating economic benefits equivalent to $1.6 billion. Marine resources expert Megan Lamson, of Ka`u, is attending the conference, which has the theme Global Lessons to Inspire Local Action.
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| New concerns out of Japan for more serious radiation leaks. |
A GREATER CONCERN FOR RADIATION from the broken nuclear plant in Fukushima, Japan is emerging, with the Japanese government worried that a breached reactor may be releasing radiation longer lasting and more dangerous than Iodine-131. The reactor uses MOX fuel, a combination of plutonium and uranium, which releases radiation that can make towns and agricultural areas wastelands. The Japanese government is hoping to contain the radiation but is considering expanding the restrictive zone around the nuclear plant and may ask tens of thousands of people to leave their homes. Hawai`i health officials say there is small risk of the radiation reaching Hawai`i in any dangerous doses.
