Hawaii legislators push for enhanced environmental monitoring in Maui following Lahaina wildfires

In the wake of the Lahaina wildfires, Hawaii lawmakers are advancing legislation to fund ongoing air and water quality monitoring in Maui.

Marcel Honore reports for Honolulu Civil Beat.

In short:

House Bills 1839 and 1840 aim to fund environmental health specialists and aquatic biologists for monitoring air and water quality in Maui post-wildfires.
The bills respond to the long-term health concerns from the August 8 wildfires, which left significant waste and pollutants.
The Department of Health estimates more than $4 million yearly for operating air quality sampling stations, while the Department of Land and Natural Resources projects around $260,000 annually for water monitoring.

Key quote:

“We need our legislators to care about us. Imagine if you were living in this situation, what would you want for your family?”

— Joanna Nakihei, Lahaina resident

Why this matters:

Continuous monitoring of air and water quality is essential to safeguard the health of Maui residents and to understand the broader environmental consequences of such disasters. This initiative reflects a proactive approach to disaster response and environmental protection, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and resilience in the face of climate-related challenges.

Last year, Dr. Carlos Gould joined the Agents of Change in Environmental Justice podcast to discuss his research on wildfire smoke’s impact on our health, and how we can protect ourselves.

www.civilbeat.org

Sick African American man coughing holding paper napkin near mouth suffering from respiratory ailment

Credit: Prostock-studio/BigStock Photo ID: 400400966

In U.S. coal country, black lung surges as federal protections stall

While President Trump is directing hundreds of millions of dollars to coal projects, miners in Appalachia are suffering from a resurgence of black lung disease. But industry pushback has indefinitely delayed federal rules that would reduce miners’ exposure to deadly silica dust.

Read the Full Article on

e360.yale.edu

Hawaii legislators push for enhanced environmental monitoring in Maui following Lahaina wildfires

With promises of money, controversial gas pipeline on Navajo Nation passes first hurdle

Revealed: British ad giant’s billion-dollar greenwash of U.S. oil industry

What could the UAE’s exit from OPEC mean for oil markets and the climate?

Congress once shielded gun makers. Now it’s fossil fuel companies’ turn

The SEC tried to silence activist investors. Now they're fighting back

Takeaways from the first conference focused on transitioning away from fossil fuels

In U.S. coal country, black lung surges as federal protections stall

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.