More should be done
to tackle light pollution
There was a time not so long ago when no efforts were made to protect the oceans and the wildlife within. So was the case with the dark skies over Hawaii and how light pollution has impacted the biosphere.
As a delegate of Dark Sky International, it is my role to educate on the importance of dark skies, the hazards of light pollution, and the solutions to address them.
In 2021, I provided an oral presentation to the Hawaii County Council, and work began with Sen. Joy San Buenaventura’s office. By providing the language to encompass the unique circumstances in Hawaii, her office drew up a formal proclamation, and it is a joy to report that resolution SR8-SD1 passed both the House and Senate.
Hawaii now recognizes International Dark Sky Week, April 21 to 28.
Mahalo to Sen. Chris Lee for allowing my oral testimony to be heard, that “Dark Sky Week is the first step towards tackling the issue of light pollution on the islands.”
Dark Sky initiatives do not mean, “no light” but a better use of light at night.
Light pollution impacts nocturnal animals, night pollinators, Hawaii’s endemic birds and even human health.
A task force is being creating to write legislation to address, for instance, “neighbors shining their lights into your house” (light trespass). Adopting ordinances to shield lights properly to prevent sky glow and taking steps to engage the public are necessary.
Hawaiian heritage has roots in its star stories, and by preserving the night and our view of the stars, we preserve that heritage.
Please get involved. As Joni Mitchell wrote, “You don’t know what you got till it’s gone.” Dark skies are gone on Oahu and much of Maui. Let us not let that happen to Big Island.
Learn more at Darksky.org.
Michael Marlin
Pahoa
Trump vs. Judiciary in
his bid to be dictator
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski and everyone in government are afraid.
Donald Trump is following the Hitler playbook by demonizing the most vulnerable. It was Jews and gay people for Hitler. Trump demonizes Latin immigrants and trans people. Hitler had his ovens, and Trump has his Salvadoran jails. Not a lot of difference.
Trump already fully owns two branches of government. To complete his march to becoming dictator, he had to destroy the Judiciary. In picking on a legal Latin immigrant with which to challenge the courts, he is playing to the fears of his base, claiming without evidence that the immigrant is an MS-13 gangster.
If Trump is successful at destroying the authority of the Supreme Court here, he will have succeeded at becoming dictator.
It’s interesting that the very people who claim love for the U.S. Constitution so they can wield combat weapons are also the very people who hate the rest of the Constitution because it might get in the way of their Dear Leader having full, unchecked power.
Russ Button
Pahoa
