Stories by Jessica Else

U.S. Senate passes ‘Save Our Seas 2.0’

LIHUE — The United States Senate unanimously passed an act that will help coastal cleanup efforts and waste management, aiming to reduce the amount of marine debris collecting on American shores.

Erosion worries rising

KAPAA — A foundation left over from a 2017 project to remove the Kapaa Beach Park pavilion is now cracked in half and falling into the surf after weekend waves and weather caused damage on the east side.

Shelter sees more surrenders, adoptions

Three month-old Kura was curled up in the arms of Kauai Humane Society animal programs manager Alex Taogoshi on Friday morning, and not interested in joining the rest of the dogs leaving for a day of field trips.

Climate Crew accepting applications

LIHUE — High school students interested in climate science have a chance to join a six-month program in March that focuses on the latest technology, data and strategies to adjust to climate change.

Pushing to halt all aquarium fishing

LIHUE — Some conservation groups and Native Hawaiians are concerned the state isn’t following court orders for the environmental review of aquarium fishing and permit issuance in Hawaii.

Cat kills Hawaiian petrel

LIHUE — A cat has been terrorizing Hawaiian petrel burrows in the mountains of the Hono NaPali Natural Area Reserve, and its latest kill was a chick involved in a scientific tracking project.

Plant protection

LIHUE — Rare plant protection is up for debate at the U.S. Senate, thanks to Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and a team of other legislators that have introduced the Extinction Prevention Act.

Forums target climate change

The National Tropical Botanical Garden is holding another series of forums on climate change, starting in February, entitled “Climate Crisis 2020.”

‘Chipper’ or bust

Chipper Wichman sat in the Botanical Research Center at National Tropical Botanical Garden headquarters on a sunny Thursday morning, looking at a version of himself he’s never seen before.

Forest fundraiser

Start off the new year supporting healthy forests at the Kekaha Harbor House with dinner and Westside hospitality at the fourth annual Ho‘omalu.

Drones documenting wreckage

Investigators aren’t going to physically set foot on the crash site of the tour helicopter that collided with a ridge on Kauai in December, killing all seven aboard.

Family led active lifestyle, traveled often

County of Kauai on Tuesday named the remaining victims in the Dec. 26 Koke’e helicopter crash. Those in the Safari tour helicopter include 69-year-old Paul Matero of Wailua and two of the passengers were 47-year-old Amy Gannon and 13-year-old Jocelyn Gannon of Madison, Wisconsin.

Feds: Crash investigation ‘challenging’

LIHUE — Four investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board have landed on Kauai, taking over the investigation into Thursday’s helicopter crash that killed seven people.

Saving koi

Twenty koi are adjusting to their new home at The Point at Poipu resort, refugees from a pond off of the Wailua Reservoir that’s scheduled to run dry at the end of the year.