Environment

Our Hawaiian Islands are one of America’s crown jewels.  One third of our nation’s endangered species are found only in Hawaii.  Our islands span seven of the world’s eight climate and habitat types -- from desert heat to snowy mountain tops.

Living here, we recognize a responsibility for our environment not only because it is our home, but also because it is one of our earth’s great treasures.  Living here, we also recognize the need for a healthy economy to support prosperity for our island community.  Balancing the two takes careful thought, and a conscience investment of federal, state, and local resources.

Science provides an important tool for managers of the environment and sustainable communities.  Researchers can identify and evaluate best practices for resource management and community development to grow a stable economy that will not come at the cost of harming our environment.

I support preserving lands by federal purchase such as the Volcanoes National Park and the City of Refuge on the Big Island, Haleakala National Park and Kealia Wildlife Refuge on Maui, Kilauea Lighthouse on Kauai and the James Campbell Refuge on Oahu. 

I also support public-private partnerships to protect special lands through either a purchase of fee title or a conservation easement.  Recent examples include:  Waimea Valley, Kawainui Marsh, Pupukea-Paumalu, Moanalua Valley, Muolea Point, Waihee Preserve, and very shortly the Honouliuli Preserve located along the Waianae mountain range.  All of these efforts are critical to ensure that future generations can enjoy and experience Hawaii’s beauty with all of their senses, and not from picture books on a coffee table.

Below are some of my environmental accomplishments for Hawaii:

Endangered Species 

Green sea turtles and other turtles in Hawaii are fully protected under the Endangered Species Act.  Nearly $60 million for Hawaiian sea turtles helps protect this endangered species.  Fisheries in Hawaii have long had a negative impact on the turtle population.  This funding has allowed for new fishing gear that minimizes the accidental catch of turtles during fishing operations, as well as support for propagation.

Hawaiian Monk Seal 

The Hawaiian monk seal is the most endangered seal in the United States.  $10.6 million in funding has resulted in critical support for monitoring the monk seal population in both the Main and Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.  It has also been used to identify the factors that stand in the way of species recovery.  I am committed because much more needs to be done to keep the monk seal from extinction.

Fisheries

Hawaii is unique in its natural beauty, both on land and at sea.  It is also unique in the diversity and quality of its fish resources.  Fish are healthy to eat, provide thousands of jobs, and provide bountiful recreation for the state.  $84.5 million in funding over the past 10 years has ensured that Hawaii’s fisheries are well-understood, wisely managed, and soundly protected so that both fishing and enjoyment of the resource can continue for generations to come.  In addition, $12 million has been provided to support our fishermen who have been confronted with natural disasters, conservation mandates and other barriers to their continued livelihood.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

NOAA provides key services from forecasting wave sets for surfing, ensuring that the sashimi we eat is fresh and safe, to developing an increasingly mature understanding of our oceans.  NOAA serves an integral role in daily island living and is in the process of standing up a regional presence in Hawaii.  Construction funding of $156.8 million will allow for all of the different components of NOAA to be located in one building, enabling smoother communications and delivery of valuable services to the public.  NOAA currently has three ships and about 500 employees in Hawaii.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

NOAA provides key services from forecasting wave sets for surfing, ensuring that the sashimi we eat is fresh and safe, to developing an increasingly mature understanding of our oceans.  NOAA serves an integral role in daily island living and is in the process of standing up a regional presence in Hawaii.  Construction funding of $156.8 million will allow for all of the different components of NOAA to be located in one building, enabling smoother communications and delivery of valuable services to the public.  NOAA currently has three ships and about 500 employees in Hawaii. 

Marine Research 

Part of Hawaii’s beauty is in its remote nature.  As a result however, it is often extremely difficult to get from one place to another, particularly in the vastness of the Pacific Ocean.  $37 million was provided for a scientific research vessel, the Hiialakai, to be purchased for coral reef ecosystem mapping, assessment, and monitoring, as well as the refurbishment of another research vessel.  In addition, these funds allowed for proper maintenance and construction of scientific structures necessary for conducting critical marine science research, monitoring and education.

Coral Reef Ecosystems

Hawaii and the territorial Pacific are stewards of much of the coral reef habitat in the United States, including the most unexplored coral reefs contained within the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.  Even though coral reefs account for less than one percent of the ocean, they account for more than 50% of the livable habitat in the ocean.  $20.9 million in funding has supported research and management activities among state partners, the federal government, and the University of Hawaii to conserve coral reef ecosystems. 

Marine Debris and Weather Buoys 

From natural hazards and environmental contaminants to marine debris and land management, there are many challenges to keep Hawaii’s coastal lands – where we live, work and play – clean and protected.  Funding of $59.6 million was used to clean up debris on both land and sea, purchase critical areas for conservation and better understand the path of natural hazards such as tsunamis.  Moreover, just under $1 million has been invested in upgrades of National Weather Service buoys to allow for more accurate and reliable weather forecast data; and critical NOAA weather radios to ensure that citizens are informed of natural hazards with sufficient time to react.

Climate Change

As an island state, the increasing pressures of climate change are felt acutely in Hawaii – from rising sea levels to changes in fish populations and coral reefs.  $24.5 million in funding has allowed Hawaii to be at the forefront of the nation’s response to climate change.  This includes carbon dioxide observations at Mauna Loa Observatory that proved the rise in atmospheric greenhouse gases, to the climate models at NOAA’s Integrated Data and Environmental Applications Center. 

Aquaculture 

U.S. demand for fish as part of a healthy diet far exceeds what wild fish populations can sustain.  As a result, the U.S. imports more than 70% of our seafood.  A recent economic study shows that aquaculture has the potential to provide tens of thousands of jobs and add hundreds of millions of dollars to coastal economies over the next 10-15 years.  $10.9 million in funding has enabled Hawaii to be among the very few states in the country with a viable offshore aquaculture industry.

Economic Stimulus 

In order to protect Hawaii’s beautiful natural landscapes and cultural treasures, $27.74 million was provided in stimulus funds for national parks, wildlife refuges, and volcano and flood monitoring.  These funds will be used throughout the islands on various construction and improvement projects that will create jobs, enhance visitor experiences, and conserve Hawaii’s heritage and history for future generations.  Of the total amount, $8.6 million will be used to replace the administrative headquarters for Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge on Maui which was destroyed by a fire.  Kilauea Volcano remains very active, and in order to monitor both Kilauea and Mauna Loa, funds were provided to update and modernize equipment to ensure greater accuracy for earlier warning.

James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge

Over the years, the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge expansion has been a huge undertaking.  Since 1999, $15.7 million has been appropriated to acquire the 1,100 acres located in the northern part of Oahu.  The final increment of $7 million will complete the acquisition in Fiscal Year 2010.  This purchase protects the largest natural coastal wetland and last remaining coastal dune ecosystem in Hawaii.  It is a protected haven for four endangered Hawaiian waterbirds, as well as a variety of migratory shorebirds and water fowl that use the coastal wetlands.  Other wildlife include the pueo or Hawaiian owl, the Hawaiian monk seal, and green sea turtles. 

Hawaii Experimental Tropical Forest

As the number of forest acres continues to grow on the Big Island, the Hawaii Experimental Tropical Forest serves as an important resource.  Currently, a biological research and education center has been designed at a cost of $3.2 million.  Construction funds are being requested to complete the project ($7 million).  This project remains a priority. 

Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge and Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge

Over the years, significant federal funds have been appropriated to establish and then expand the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge and Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge, including the restoration of the Hanalei Bridge, on the Island of Kauai.  Kilauea Point Lighthouse station restoration continues to be a priority.

Kahuku Ranch on the Big Island

Over the last 10 years, $22 million was secured for the National Park Service’s 116,000-acre purchase of Kahuku Ranch on the Big Island, making it the largest acquisition in recent times.  Six rare and endangered bird and mammal species are now be protected and preserved.  This is the newest addition to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park

Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park on the Big Island is a culturally rich park full of ancient heiau, kii, holua slides and other historical features.  $4.6 million was appropriated to purchase an additional 239 acres, more than doubling the size of this culturally historical park.

Brown Tree Snakes 

Vertebrate pests are not only a major threat to Hawaii’s endangered species, but to our fragile ecosystems.  Should the brown tree snake population from Guam establish itself in Hawaii, it would be a major ecological disaster.  Hawaii’s unique biodiversity is at stake.  More that $36.1 million has been invested in a host of brown tree snake eradication and prevention strategies via the Departments of Agriculture, Defense and Interior.  Today, the Departments of Defense and Interior have included funds for brown tree snake prevention into their base budgets.

Army Compatible Use Buffer  Program

Over the years, the U.S. Army, through its Army Compatible Use Buffer program, has been a partner in many of the public-partnerships to conserve special lands.  It has invested more than $7.7 million to help acquire Waimea Valley, Pupukea-Paumalu, Moanalua Valley, and another $2.6 million to help acquire the Honouliuli preserve in the near future

Latest News

• HAWAII TO RECEIVE MORE THAN $950,000 TO PRESERVE PALILA HABITAT

  HONOLULU-The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources will receive $976,759 to protect and preserve the habitat of the Palila bird and plant nearly 70,000 native plants on Mauna Kea, Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Senator Daniel K. Akaka, U.S. Representative Mazie K. Hirono and U.S. Representative Collee...

  Posted on 8/24/2012

• MORE THAN 7,500 ACRES ON HAWAII ISLAND SET ASIDE TO PROTECT HABITATS OF ENDANGERED SPECIES

  HONOLULU-More than 7,500 acres on Hawaii Island will be set aside to preserve and protect the native habitats of threatened and endangered species like the Hawaiian hawksbill and green sea turtles, monk seals, Palila birds, N?n? geese, and 'Io hawks, Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Senator Daniel K. Akaka, and U...

  Posted on 8/14/2012

• UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII TO RECEIVE NEARLY $2.3 MILLION IN NOAA GRANTS

  WASHINGTON - The University of Hawaii will receive $2,275,356 to help conserve, protect, and monitor Hawaii’s marine environment, Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Senator Daniel K. Akaka, U.S. Representative Mazie K. Hirono and U.S. Representative Colleen Hanabusa ann...

  Posted on 7/24/2012