Living on the Shores of Hawaii: Natural Hazards, the Hawaii Environment, and Our Communities (平装)

基本信息出版社:UNIV OF HAWAII PR (2010年10月1日)平装:336页ISBN:082483433X条形码:9780824834333ASIN:082483433X

商品描述内容简介Rarely a day goes by in Hawai'i without the media reporting on environmental issues stemming from public debate. Will the proposed housing development block my access to the beach? Is the rising sea level going to cause flooding where I live? How does overfishing damage the reef? Is the water clean where I surf? On the Shores of Paradise discusses the paradox of environmental loss under a management system considered by many to be one of the most stringent in the nation. It reviews a wide range of environmental concerns in Hawai'i with an eye toward resolution by focusing on "place-based" management, a theme consistent with--and borrowing from--the Hawaiian ahupua'a system. After describing a typical situation in Hawai'i where a sandy beach is lost because a seawall has been built to protect a poorly sited home, the author steps back in time to trace land-use practices before and after the arrival of Westerners and the increased tempo of destruction following the latter. He goes on to discuss volcanoes and the risk of placing homes in locations vulnerable to natural hazards and the potential dangers of earthquakes and tsunami to a complacent public. Water issues, including scarcity, flooding, and pollution, are surveyed, as well as climate change and the possible outcomes of projected sea rise for Hawai'i. The author explains coastal erosion and beach loss and the problems of overfishing and ocean acidification. Later chapters assess residents' risks to hurricanes, offering mitigation techniques, and provide a summary and some management conclusions. As tensions increase because of conflicting standards, misunderstandings, and contradictory ideals and actions, we put our economy and quality of life at risk. Sound decision-making begins with asking the right questions. This book addresses these questions within the context of sustainability and thus their influence on the future of Hawai'i.