The population of Hawaii is about 1.3 million residents, but it is the world famous beach tourism that keeps that number much higher daily. The destination city (and capital) Honolulu forms the commerce nexus of metropolitan Hawaii. Hawaiian residents play hosts t visitors from all over the world come to enjoy the vibrant plant life, exotic waterfalls, sandy beaches and resort hotels of the Big Island and surrounding ones.
Tropical in climate, exotic in its image, Hawaii wrestles with complex environmental concerns. Decreasing industry and commerce has reduced native Hawaiian standard of living and increased the costs. Coral reefs require maintenance of water pollution standards and commercial fishing protections. Offshore dumping and toxicants distribution linger uncomfortably despite compliance encouragement and educational programs.
A set of islands, the Hawaiian archipelago offers a tropical tourist paradise and residential retreat. The ecological business profile of Hawaii reflects the geography of sugar cane fields, island tourism, and resident services and consumer industries. Employment depends largely on services adjunct to tourism volumes. Tropical Hawaii is full of stunning vistas, state and national parks which keep Hawaii partially protected in its volcanic and forestry areas.
A Hawaii state product of $117 billion rides on tourism. Yet plastic and other litter washes up on beaches, harming wildlife and fish, and discouraging visitors. Heavy rains can also wash litter and debris into lagoons. Tainted TCE groundwater issues and pollution via agricultural chemical runoff has created Superfund priority water quality problems. Nitrate concentration has increased in the Pearl Harbor aquifer, and Schofiel military barracks site has a groundwater/soil contamination problem. Radiation from military sources ahs also caused environmental concern.
Hawaii must balance marine ecology, land stewardship, and atmospheric emissions with the need to continue services and industries that support its residents. Cane burning causes “Maui rain”, an unpleasant atmospheric residue of soot and ash aftereffect. Sugar cane and other agricultural crops are Hawaiian icons, but the chemicals used to grow those products bring net damages to the native ecology. Like Florida, Hawaii must risk cruise ship waste dumping in exchange for tourism volumes.
Furthermore, active volcanic activity produces vog (volcanic smog). Vog threatens residential water health, produce crop-tainting acid rain, and harms marine biology. Kona winds drive particulate aerosols throughout Hawaii, worsening asthma and cardiopulmonary ailments. Like Californian smog, Hawaiian air quality does not contribute to enhanced tourism volumes.
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