Stories by Jessica Else

Talk Story: Don Heacock

Don Heacock is a lot of things. He’s just retired from 40 years as an aquatic biologist with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. He’s an advocate for sustainable agriculture that cultivates things like yerba mate, awa and taro alongside tilapia aquaponic projects on his 25-acre Lihue farm, called Kauai Organic Agroecosystems.

Suing for the bees

American beekeepers are launching another lawsuit at the federal Environmental Protection Agency for allowing what they say is another bee-killing pesticide back onto the market.

Making EV easy

KILAUEA — Electric vehicles will be on parade at Anaina Hou in September for Kauai EV’s first EV Festival, alongside the Saturday farmers’ market in Kilauea.

Last Chance for Kalapaki Beach Hut

Shave ice, breakfast and burgers have been a staple at Kalapaki Beach Hut and you’ve got just a few more days to visit them before the doors close on this seaside restaurant.

Garden seeks to ban single-use bottles

The National Tropical Botanical Garden’s South Shore Visitors Center at Kukuiula now has water-bottle filling stations and, for a limited time, is handing out NTBG reusable bottles when customers spend $100 on gift-shop merchandise.

Malama Kauai to host tree propagation

KALIHIWAI — Malama Kauai is gearing up to move off of the eight acers that currently house the Kalihiwai Community Farm, but before they do, they’re hoping to spread a little love around the island in the form of tree propagation.

Killing two birds with one tree

The state has launched an online directory of players in the Hawaii wood and lumber industry, with the goals of connecting businesses involved with forest products and providing transparency in the industry.

Joshua lives on

A tragic moment in 2018 took the life of Joshua Bradbury, but it also forged connections across oceans and turned strangers into friends.

More rapid ohia death found here

LIHUE — Ohia trees in two more locations on Kauai have tested positive for the fungus that causes rapid ohia death, and the state is asking everyone to practice bio-sanitation in order to help stop the spread.

Hirono drops by Kauai High pantry

LIHUE — Music sounded through the campus of Kauai High School Thursday, signaling the end of the teaching day and the opening of the school’s food pantry for the third time.

Bleaching event threatens coral

LIHUE — While entities are calling for help monitoring Hawaii’s corals in the face of an anticipated heat wave and major bleaching event, some Kauai divers and ocean users say they’re already seeing diseased coral.

Horse removed from beach

ALIOMANU — A horse carcass has been removed from the shoreline at Aliomanu, thanks to a little lime from County of Kauai and workers hired by locals.

New rules for vaccines

LIHUE — Hawaii has updated its rules for public school immunizations, adding to the list of requirements HPV and Hepatitis A vaccines for seventh graders.

All things coffee

This tour lets you get your hands in the dirt, wander among coffee trees and look for green sea turtles along the cliffs of the Pacific Ocean.

Herbicide ban at schools

LIHUE — Kauai schools are working to end herbicide use on campuses after the state Department of Education announced a ban of herbicides at public schools.

Shark sightings raise worries

HAENA — Some Kauai residents say injured, invasive tilapia could be bringing sharks closer to shore during a season traditionally known for frequent shark sightings.