What to do if you observe environmental harm while traveling on Big Island Hawaii

What to do if you observe environmental harm while traveling on Big Island Hawaii

Big Island Hawaii is a destination for environmental awareness and action. It is a destination where you can find some of the most pressing and complex environmental problems and challenges that the island faces. It is a destination where you can learn what to do if you observe environmental harm while traveling on Big Island Hawaii.

Environmental harm is any damage or degradation to the natural environment and its resources caused by human or natural factors. Environmental harm can affect the quality and quantity of the island’s environment and its resources, such as land, water, air, plants, animals, minerals, and energy. Environmental harm can also affect the well-being and survival of the island’s people and wildlife.

Environmental harm can be observed in various ways while traveling on Big Island Hawaii. Here are some examples of environmental harm that you may encounter:

• Plastic pollution: Plastic pollution is one of the most widespread and persistent forms of marine debris that affects the island’s shores and waters¹. Plastic pollution can be observed as plastic waste and debris washed up on beaches or floating in the ocean. Plastic pollution can harm marine life by entangling, injuring, or killing them; by disrupting their habitats or food webs; or by transferring toxins or diseases.
• Coral bleaching: Coral bleaching is a phenomenon that occurs when corals lose their symbiotic algae due to stress factors such as high water temperatures, pollution, or disease². Coral bleaching can be observed as corals turning white or pale in color. Coral bleaching can harm coral reefs by reducing their growth, reproduction, or survival; by making them more vulnerable to diseases or predators; or by affecting their ecosystem services such as fishery, tourism, or coastal protection.
• Invasive species: Invasive species are non-native plants or animals that are introduced to an ecosystem where they do not belong and cause harm to the native species or environment³. Invasive species can be observed as plants or animals that are outcompeting, displacing, or preying on native species; by altering their habitats or food webs; or by introducing diseases or parasites.
• Volcanic hazards: Volcanic hazards are natural phenomena that are associated with volcanic activity such as eruptions, lava flows, ash fall, gas emissions, earthquakes, or landslides⁴. Volcanic hazards can be observed as volcanic features such as craters, vents, fissures, or cones; by volcanic products such as lava, ash, gas, or rocks; or by volcanic impacts such as fires, floods, mudflows, or air quality issues.

What to do if you observe environmental harm while traveling on Big Island Hawaii? Here are some suggestions:

• Report it: If you observe environmental harm that poses a threat to human health or safety, such as volcanic hazards, fires, floods, landslides, or injuries, you should report it to the appropriate authorities such as emergency services, park rangers, or wildlife officials. You should also report it if you observe environmental harm that violates any laws or regulations such as illegal dumping, poaching, or fishing. You can use the following contacts to report environmental harm on Big Island Hawaii:
• Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park: (808) 985-6000
• Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources: (808) 587-0400
• Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund: (808) 769-7629
• The Nature Conservancy of Hawaiʻi: (808) 537-4508
• Document it: If you observe environmental harm that does not pose an immediate threat but is still concerning or alarming, such as plastic pollution, coral bleaching, or invasive species, you should document it by taking photos, videos, or notes of what you see. You should also document it if you observe environmental harm that is part of a research or monitoring project such as citizen science, volunteer work, or education programs. You can use the following platforms to document environmental harm on Big Island Hawaii:
• Marine Debris Tracker: A mobile app that allows you to log marine debris data from anywhere in the world.
• Eyes of the Reef: A network of community members who report coral bleaching and other reef impacts in Hawaiʻi.
• iNaturalist: A social network for naturalists that allows you to record and share your observations of biodiversity.
• eBird: A database of bird observations that provides information for bird research and conservation.
• Prevent it: If you observe environmental harm that can be prevented or reduced by your own actions or choices, such as plastic pollution, coral bleaching, or invasive species, you should prevent it by adopting more sustainable practices or behaviors while traveling on Big Island Hawaii. You should also prevent it by educating yourself and others about the causes and effects of environmental harm and how to avoid them. You can use the following tips to prevent environmental harm on Big Island Hawaii:
• Reduce your plastic consumption and waste by using reusable bags, bottles, straws, utensils, etc.; by refusing single-use items; by recycling properly; or by participating in beach cleanups.
• Protect coral reefs by using reef-safe sunscreen; by avoiding touching or stepping on corals; by following snorkeling or diving guidelines; or by supporting coral restoration efforts.
• Prevent invasive species by cleaning your shoes and gear before and after hiking; by not transporting plants or animals across islands; by reporting any sightings of invasive species; or by joining invasive species removal projects.
• Prepare for volcanic hazards by checking volcanic activity updates; by following evacuation orders; by staying away from restricted areas; by wearing protective gear; or by having an emergency kit.

By doing these things, we can help mitigate the environmental harm that we observe while traveling on Big Island Hawaii. We can also benefit ourselves by enhancing our travel experience, well-being, and legacy. We can also benefit from Big Island Hawaii’s environment and its resources. We can also benefit from doing these things.

Big Island Hawaii is more than just a destination for environmental awareness and action. It is a responsibility that we have to fulfill and support. Let us all learn what to do if we observe environmental harm while traveling on Big Island Hawaii.