Effects of Coastal Waste Disposal in Hawaii

The Hawaii Islands still retain the image of a pristine tropical paradise, although environmental pressures can be observed in some locations, particularly on the island of Oahu, where 83% of the state's nearly 800,000 inhabitants reside. Hawaii's water quality standards for coastal waters are readily adaptable to point sources of pollution but they are relatively ineffective in controlling nonpoint pollution sources such as sediment and nutrients from urban and agricultural runoff which can be detrimental to the island's shoreline coral beds as well as accelerating eutrophication of the receiving waters. Nonpoint pollution sources are best controlled by proper land use management practices. The recognition of the need for environmental management in Hawaii to maintain its pristine image is evident not only in the millions of dollars presently being expended on pollution control facilities but also by the fact that Hawaii has become the first state to establish land-use zoning for the entire state.