maui beach

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.

Red car with EV charger hooked up to it.

Trump administration sued by 17 states over frozen funds for electric vehicle charging network

Seventeen states have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for halting billions in federal funding intended to expand the national electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Sophie Austin and Alexa St. John report for The Associated Press.

Keep reading...Show less
White microscopes on top of black table.

Zeldin’s EPA restructuring could curb climate action and strain environmental protections

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, under Administrator Lee Zeldin, is downsizing staff to 1980s levels despite decades of added environmental responsibilities and growing public health challenges.

Sean Reilly, Jean Chemnick, Ellie Borst, and Miranda Willson report for E&E News.

Keep reading...Show less
A space satellite hovering above the coastline.
Credit: SpaceX/Unsplash

Trump moves to end federal studies on rocket and satellite pollution, raising concerns over Musk’s influence

The Trump administration plans to shut down research led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) into pollution from satellites and rockets that is tied in part to Elon Musk’s expanding space ventures.

Tom Perkins reports for The Guardian.

Keep reading...Show less
a protest sign that says there is no planet b.

Trump’s dismissal of climate scientists threatens U.S. leadership and global research ties

The Trump administration’s removal of nearly 400 scientists from the National Climate Assessment signals escalating cuts to U.S. climate science, raising concerns over national and international research collaborations.

Holly Young reports for Deutsche Welle.

Keep reading...Show less
Icebergs and snow covered mountains facing calm body of water.

Funding cuts for Arctic sea ice monitoring risk key climate data

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has halted support for several key datasets used to monitor Arctic sea ice and snow, undermining efforts to track one of the fastest-warming regions on Earth.

Peter Aldhous reports for Inside Climate News.

Keep reading...Show less
The German Reichstag building on a sunny day.

Germany’s new conservative government shifts focus from climate to economic relief

Voters frustrated by high energy costs and inflation propelled Germany’s conservatives to power, prompting a recalibration of the country’s aggressive climate policies without fully abandoning its clean energy goals.

Saqib Rahim reports for Grist.

Keep reading...Show less
Seattle skyline turned orange with wildfire smoke.

Climate change-linked wildfire smoke blamed for thousands of U.S. deaths and billions in damages

Smoke from wildfires intensified by climate change caused an estimated 15,000 deaths and $160 billion in damages in the U.S. over a 15-year span, according to new research.

Dorany Pineda reports for The Associated Press.

Keep reading...Show less
From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

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.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

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

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

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

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

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.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

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

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.