Environment

Hawaiʻi Loves ‘Genki Balls’ To Clean Water.  New Studies Say They Don’t Work Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2017

Hawaiʻi Loves ‘Genki Balls’ To Clean Water. New Studies Say They Don’t Work

A new two-year research project found the balls not only were ineffective, they might make water quality worse. Supporters of the effort don’t believe it.

‘Elvis Would Be Totally Against That’: Feral Cat Battle Reaches Fever Pitch Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat

‘Elvis Would Be Totally Against That’: Feral Cat Battle Reaches Fever Pitch

A new county measure outlawing cat feeding on the Big Island is expected to become law this week, pitting feral cat advocates against politicians.

Fix It! Big Island Building’s Solar Panel System Is On The Blink — Again Kevin Dayton/Civil Beat 2025

Fix It! Big Island Building’s Solar Panel System Is On The Blink — Again

It costs taxpayers $4,000 every month that system isn’t producing electricity.

Cruise Ship Industry Sues To Scuttle Hawaiʻi’s New Visitor Green Fee Ku‘u Kauanoe/Civil Beat/2022

Cruise Ship Industry Sues To Scuttle Hawaiʻi’s New Visitor Green Fee

Ship passengers will soon to start paying the same visitor tax as hotel guests to help cover the conservation fee — unless the cruise lines can stop it in court.

Hawaiʻi Officials Discuss Lessons Learned From Tsunami Scare Kawika Lopez/Civil Beat/2025

Hawaiʻi Officials Discuss Lessons Learned From Tsunami Scare

Agencies like the Department of Transportation plan to publish after-action reports by the end of the year, officials said.

For Environmental Scientists, Climate Change Means Coping With Death (Leilani Combs/Civil Beat/2025)

For Environmental Scientists, Climate Change Means Coping With Death

The burden of grief related to extinction and invasive species in Hawaiʻi is a heavy one for conservation professionals. Some are learning how to handle it.

Denby Fawcett: Seeking Love For The Endangered Hawaiian Land Snail Kenneth Hayes photo

Denby Fawcett: Seeking Love For The Endangered Hawaiian Land Snail

Some people say they’re icky and slimy. But these scientists think they’re beautiful.

Report: Hawaiʻi’s False Killer Whales Trending Toward Extinction courtesy of Robin W. Baird/Cascadia Research

Report: Hawaiʻi’s False Killer Whales Trending Toward Extinction

A new report finds that efforts to protect the dolphins are not working. Experts blame both fishing vessels and NOAA.

Will Bailey: Why East Hawai‘i’s Fishery Has Fallen On Hard Times Will Bailey/Civil Beat/2025

Will Bailey: Why East Hawai‘i’s Fishery Has Fallen On Hard Times

From the boats to the markets, Hilo Bay used to be a thriving industrial area.

The First Ke Iki Beach Turtle Hatchlings In Four Years Head For The Waves Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat

The First Ke Iki Beach Turtle Hatchlings In Four Years Head For The Waves

The first of seven turtle nests on the North Shore beach have emerged after volunteers raised alarms about disturbance from beachgoers and houses nearby.