11-21-2018, 05:17 AM
The Hamakua dairy closing comes at the same time as protests over the Hu Honua Bioenergy plant, so it's worthwhile to discuss these operations.
Should there some some allowable runoff of effluents along the Hamakua Coast, relative to other Hawaii shorelines? This 40 mile coast drops into deep water, and is virtually devoid of reefs, lagoons, and swimming sites. Strong oceans currents push along the whole coast, dispersing effluents.
But the answer here is No. Violation of the federal Clean Water Act.
Perhaps a bigger issue is nearby residents bothered by the dairy. This is not unique to Hawaii; it happens on the mainland all the time now, people moving to rural areas and opposing farm operations: smells, dust, effluents, animals. Historically in most of the world, people who lived in rural areas were involved in farming in some fashion. No longer.
The upshot is that we will continue to pay more for food, as restrictions on agricultural operations increase nationwide. Let's not complain when food prices rise.
And what about the so-called toxins at the bioenergy plant? How dangerous are they? There seems little doubt that proponents of a pristine Hamakua environment will work just as hard to shut down Hu Honua.
I guess we will simply rely on tourists for our economy. Any industry that discharges the slightest pollutants will be disallowed. Interesting that there has never been an Environmental Assessment of the impact of Hawaii's Visitor Industry.
Should there some some allowable runoff of effluents along the Hamakua Coast, relative to other Hawaii shorelines? This 40 mile coast drops into deep water, and is virtually devoid of reefs, lagoons, and swimming sites. Strong oceans currents push along the whole coast, dispersing effluents.
But the answer here is No. Violation of the federal Clean Water Act.
Perhaps a bigger issue is nearby residents bothered by the dairy. This is not unique to Hawaii; it happens on the mainland all the time now, people moving to rural areas and opposing farm operations: smells, dust, effluents, animals. Historically in most of the world, people who lived in rural areas were involved in farming in some fashion. No longer.
The upshot is that we will continue to pay more for food, as restrictions on agricultural operations increase nationwide. Let's not complain when food prices rise.
And what about the so-called toxins at the bioenergy plant? How dangerous are they? There seems little doubt that proponents of a pristine Hamakua environment will work just as hard to shut down Hu Honua.
I guess we will simply rely on tourists for our economy. Any industry that discharges the slightest pollutants will be disallowed. Interesting that there has never been an Environmental Assessment of the impact of Hawaii's Visitor Industry.
