All tagged Hawai'i

Endangered Plants and Hawaiian Forest Evolution

Endangered Plants and Hawaiian Forest Evolution

Grace Klein

Although Hawai`i is home to many diverse species of plants, it is also known as the endangered species capital of the world (Rare Plant Program, n.d). “Hawai`i has 272 plants considered endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act [...]” (Hawaiian Plants, 2023). When the islands were first formed, plants were brought over by birds, wind, and ocean currents. Although they originated elsewhere, those plants are considered native since they came to Hawai`i before people arrived. Many of the native plants are classified as endemic, meaning that they are found only in Hawai`i (Hawaiian Plants, 2023). “This means that after their arrival, as these plants adapted to their new environment, they changed so much from their original ancestors that they transformed into a new species” (Hawaiian Plants, 2023). Because of this, they are sensitive to changes in their environments. Human activity, land development, climate change, and non-native plants and animals have all chipped away at Hawai`i’s ecosystems. But how exactly has the flora and fauna of the islands changed over the years? This article aims to provide an introduction to endangered Hawaiian plants by examining the evolution of Hawaiian forests. 

Paradise Lost - The Damage Done by the Tourism Industry in Hawai'i

Paradise Lost - The Damage Done by the Tourism Industry in Hawai'i

Drew Pagaduan
Macroeconomic Policy

For decades, people from the mainland U.S. and abroad have seen Hawai’i as an island paradise of beautiful beaches, local generosity, and stunning vistas. This has led to a massive tourist industry across almost all of the Hawaiian Islands which sees millions of visitors every year flock to its shores to pour money into pursuing their island fantasies. However, this vision of Hawai’i has a dark undercurrent — decades of colonialism and resource extraction have resulted in economic, ecological, and cultural damage done to the people and land of Hawai’i. Despite claims of promoting the well-being and way of life of the Hawaiian people, the tourism industry largely functions to extract the value of the land and labor of the people.

Paradise Lost - The Damage Done by the Tourism Industry in Hawai'i

Paradise Lost - The Damage Done by the Tourism Industry in Hawai'i

Drew Pagaduan
Macroeconomic Policy

For decades, people from the mainland U.S. and abroad have seen Hawai’i as an island paradise of beautiful beaches, local generosity, and stunning vistas. This has led to a massive tourist industry across almost all of the Hawaiian Islands which sees millions of visitors every year flock to its shores to pour money into pursuing their island fantasies. However, this vision of Hawai’i has a dark undercurrent — decades of colonialism and resource extraction have resulted in economic, ecological, and cultural damage done to the people and land of Hawai’i. Despite claims of promoting the well-being and way of life of the Hawaiian people, the tourism industry largely functions to extract the value of the land and labor of the people.