Unfortunately, Hawai‘i has been victim to an onslaught of introduced pollutants and invasive species for the past two hundred years. Even when environmentally harmful practices end, the damage is usually done for multiple generations. At one point, sugar cane was the #1 Hawaiian export, but according to the Hawai‘i State Department of Health, the use of arsenic-based pesticides and herbicides during the 1920’s and 1940’s have left behind dangerous arsenic levels in the soil across pae ‘āina. As a result, the arsenic makes itself into the foods we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe (already exacerbated by the volcanic nature of Hawai‘i).

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In addition, Hawai‘i has a serious waste water problem. As of March, 2024, Hawai‘i has 83,000 cesspools that release 52 million gallons of untreated sewage into the ‘āina every day. This makes its way into our drinking water, our foods, and our oceans. As a result, Hawai‘i has the highest rates of staph and MRSA in the country, and 50% of tap water in South of Hilo is testing positive for fecal indicator bacteria (Bohlen & Coleman).

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In addition to these environmental threats, urban development, hotels and resorts, military land use, and more have contributed to heightened pollution across Hawai‘i. In particular, the military has played a vital, yet unfortunate role in the pollution of Hawai‘i water and soil. In 2019 alone, the U.S. military dumped 630,000 pounds of nitrate compounds in the water off O‘ahu. For decades, activists and environmentalists have agonized and passionately battled for reclamation of military occupied ‘āina such as Pōhakūloa, Kapūkakī, and the island of Kaho‘olawe.

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The list of sites in desperate need of bioremediation through Hawaii Nei is vast, and that's why frequent testing is so important. We can provide a comprehensive strategy for addressing the problem and follow through with implementation, but we must first have the problem identified. If you notice pollutants that you think may be causing harm to ‘āina, contact us for a consultation. We would love to hear more about your issue and discuss where we might be able to help.