This is bad news

[kalakoa]

three permanent batch plants on this island

My unsubstantiated rumor is at least outdated, then. Thanks. (This also means the road maintenance problem isn't for lack of material availability. Act surprised.)

[birdmove]

I believe this is about the ocean going plastic and garbage collecting device hat came into Hilo Bay for repairs a while back.Kudos to the inventor and builders of the device:

https://news.yahoo.com/floating-device-u...08938.html

Jon in Keaau/HPP

[terracore]

"start making electronics last like it used to 40-50 years ago"

This is starting to happen: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planned_obsolescence

Planned obsolescence has been assumed a necessity when it comes to stimulating consumption; however, this practice has come into question. In 2015 the French National Assembly established a fine of up to 300,000 euros and jail terms of up to two years for manufacturers planning the failure of their products in advance. The rule is not only relevant because of the sanctions that it establishes but also because it is the first time that a legislature recognized the existence of planned obsolescence. These techniques may include "a deliberate introduction of a flaw, a weakness, a scheduled stop, a technical limitation, incompatibility or other obstacles for repair". .

The European Union is also addressing the practice. The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), an advisory body of the EU,[39] announced in 2013 that it was studying "a total ban on planned obsolescence". It said replacing products that are designed to stop working within two or three years of their purchase was a waste of energy and resources and generated pollution.[40] The EESC organised a round table in Madrid in 2014 on 'Best practices in the domain of built-in obsolescence and collaborative consumption' which called for sustainable consumption to be a consumer right in EU legislation.[41] Carlos Trias Pinto, president of the EESC's Consultative Commission on Industrial Change[42] supports "the introduction of a labeling system which indicates the durability of a device, so the consumer can choose whether he/she prefers to buy a cheap product or a more expensive, more durable product".[43]

[Old Croc]

I don't know if rubberized asphalt concrete is used in Hawaii, but it could help. Mexifornia uses it: https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/Tires/GreenRoads/Rac/

[Gus]

How come the other counties in the state haven’t thrown in the towel? They haven’t abandoned plastics.

[kander]

They may still be finding some country willing to dump it in the ocean for them still.