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Climate & Environment

Maui Rejects Proposal Allowing Chicago Company To Drill For Water In Kula Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2023

Maui Rejects Proposal Allowing Chicago Company To Drill For Water In Kula

Free Market Ventures had offered to drill one or more deep water wells and sell the water to the county for 30 years for use by Upcountry residents.

Hawaii Is Entering A Dangerous Fire Season. Here’s What Will Be Different Post-Lahaina聽 Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2019

Hawaii Is Entering A Dangerous Fire Season. Here’s What Will Be Different Post-Lahaina聽

Fire and emergency personnel are putting new protocols in place for responding to wildfires, but are also warning that people need to be better prepared, too.

Environmental Groups Sue Maui Resort Over Endangered Seabird Injuries AP/2018

Environmental Groups Sue Maui Resort Over Endangered Seabird Injuries

Despite a settlement reached two years ago, Hawaiian petrels continue to be harmed by bright lights at Grand Wailea in violation of federal law, plaintiffs allege.

Rebuilding Lahaina: Homeowners In The Seaside Town May Get A Reprieve From Coastal Zone Rules Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023

Rebuilding Lahaina: Homeowners In The Seaside Town May Get A Reprieve From Coastal Zone Rules

Shoreline setbacks or a retreat from the water so far aren’t getting much traction under state and county planning efforts.

Hawaii’s Ambitious Renewable Energy Plan Is Threatened By HECO’s Uncertain Future Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2019

Hawaii’s Ambitious Renewable Energy Plan Is Threatened By HECO’s Uncertain Future

New projects are on hold as the electric company’s credit rating sags.

It Will Take Years And Millions Of Dollars To Replace Lahaina’s Trees David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024

It Will Take Years And Millions Of Dollars To Replace Lahaina’s Trees

Volunteers are working to jumpstart the effort by tending to surviving trees, planting seedlings and pushing the county to hire a second arborist.

Hawaii Supreme Court Rebukes State Agencies In East Maui Water Case Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

Hawaii Supreme Court Rebukes State Agencies In East Maui Water Case

The justices found the state’s factual arguments flimsy regarding water diversions affecting the ability to fight the August wildfires.

Lahaina’s Wildfire Burned So Hot That Many Dangerous Contaminants Likely Vaporized David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024

Lahaina’s Wildfire Burned So Hot That Many Dangerous Contaminants Likely Vaporized

Scientists, state officials and the Army Corps of Engineers are finding the burn zone may not be as toxic as initially feared.

Maui County Has Been So Slow To Come Up With A Plan To Help People Rebuild In Lahaina That  A  State Lawmaker Is Doing It Instead Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2024

Maui County Has Been So Slow To Come Up With A Plan To Help People Rebuild In Lahaina That A State Lawmaker Is Doing It Instead

Maui County officials have said it will be at least several more months before they have a plan finalized.

A Project Aimed At Helping Upcountry Maui’s Water Shortages Is Getting Pushback From Residents Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2023

A Project Aimed At Helping Upcountry Maui’s Water Shortages Is Getting Pushback From Residents

There’s agreement that the cost of water to users would rise but by how much is up for debate.