Stories by Jessica Else

Targeting the nets

About 200 volunteers removed more than 4,000 pounds of plastics, nets and other marine debris from Kauai’s East Side shores on Saturday through a cleanup hosted by B-RAD Foundation and Surfrider Kauai Chapter.

The wonder of wetlands

Species are springing to life on Kauai’s South Shore that haven’t been seen in more than 200 years, and it’s wetland rehabilitation that’s making it happen.

A dog’s life, part 2: The pups thrive

The dog known as Valkyrie is operating under another alias these days and is tucked in with her three puppies at a foster home in Wailua with April and Tom Finnegan.

Managing mangrove

Makaloa is now growing in a wetland behind the pavilion at Niumalu Beach Park, a slender reed that’s traditionally been used for basket- and mat-weaving.

Entangled whale seen near Maui

While officials are investigating the carcass of a baby humpback whale that washed up on Kauai’s west shores in January, officials on Maui have been working to disentangle an adult.

Toward a vape-free campus

Kauai artists Trysen Kaneshige and Victoria Aiu were able to breathe a sigh of relief on Tuesday after unveiling a mural they worked on through driving rain and strong winds.

The water diversion debate

Kauai Island Utility Cooperative uses a system of century-old diversions in Kauai streams to supply water to two hydroelectric facilities in the Wailua watershed.

Mice prey on seabirds

While the hunt is still on for remaining rats on Lehua island near Niihau, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is gearing up to target a different island with rodenticide-laced bait designed to destroy house mice.

Preserving the trail

While the Wai Koa Loop Trail has been popular for years with residents and visitors alike, now it’s an official and ongoing fixture on the North Shore.

Rocky’s pup returns

The son of popular Hawaiian monk seal “Rocky” has returned to Kauai after a nearly six-month stay at the monk seal hospital on Hawaii Island.

Bill would ramp up recycling

A measure moving in the state House is aimed at setting up curbside recycling for Kauai, though originally the bill was meant to include the entire state.

More rain in forecast

It’s going to be a rainy weekend, according to National Weather Service forecasts, with a snippet of calm weather settling in Sunday.

Water fight not over

A proposed measure in the state House aiming to change the state’s water-use permitting system passed through a committee hearing on Friday, and the hearing’s public testimony threw the spotlight onto Kauai Island Utility Cooperative.

Students: No vape in the 808

About 25 Kauai High students gathered at the Lihue Airport intersection on Friday, waving signs and making noise to raise awareness about vaping.