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<br /> Increasing waste and wastewater production from commercial, industrial,
<br /> and residential activity emits increasing amounts of greenhouse gases.
<br /> Waste emissions account for 8.79 percent of Hawaii Island emissions.42 Hawaii County collected
<br /> 203,872 tons of waste in its landfill in 2022. Solid waste produces emissions through the process of
<br /> decomposition, which releases nitrogen gases and methane. The process of transporting waste to
<br /> transfer stations and from transfer stations to the landfill produces additional emissions. Waste can be
<br /> diverted from the landfill or incinerator by reducing, reusing, recycling, or composting waste.
<br /> Wastewater (sewage) produces emissions during treatment processes, including nitrification and
<br /> denitrification. Managing waste is especially important for an island community, which has limited land
<br /> for waste disposal and watersheds that are easily polluted. Residential, commercial, and industrial
<br /> activity add to waste production on the island through materials used in construction, agriculture, and
<br /> the visitor industry. Without finding ways to repurpose and reduce waste, waste production will continue
<br /> to grow as population expands and economic activity increases.
<br /> Historical deforestation and degradation of native ecosystems and open
<br /> spaces reduce carbon sinks.
<br /> Hawaii Island forests are the largest source of carbon sequestration in the state.43 Pre-Western-
<br /> contact, native habitat made up 85 percent of Hawaii's landscape. Post-contact, it fell to a little more
<br /> than 40 percent of Hawaii's landscape.44 Most deforestation in Hawaii occurred in the late 1800s and
<br /> early 1900s. Recent analysis indicates that forest cover is increasing.45 As forest or shrubland is
<br /> repurposed for commercial and residential activities, ranching, and agriculture, natural carbon sinks and
<br /> vital cultural resources vanish. Additionally, land management practices, such as outplanting non-native
<br /> species, have further reduced the prevalence of native ecosysteMS.46
<br /> Forests are also essential pieces of the watershed. Forested lands at higher elevation catch and collect
<br /> water that then travels down to lower elevation zones, providing fresh water from mauka to makai.
<br /> Deforestation and degradation of native forests can decrease the availability of fresh water, affecting
<br /> potable water supply, agriculture, and ecosystem health. Forest composition is changing due to
<br /> invasive trees and shrubs47 which decreases groundwater recharge.48 Improved watershed
<br /> management is needed to improve groundwater recharge and protect drinking water.49 Declines in
<br /> 42 County of Hawai'i Department of Research and Development.(2021). Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory for 2017.County of
<br /> Hawai`i.https://www.hawaiicountV.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/304504/637834584810900000
<br /> 43 Hawaii State Department of Health (2021). Hawaii Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report for 2017.
<br /> https://health.hawaii.gov/cab/files/2021/04/2017-Inventory_Final-Report_April-2021.pdf
<br /> 44 Gon, S.M.;Tom, S.L.;Woodside, U.Aina Momona, Honua Au Loli—Productive Lands, Changing World: Using the Hawaiian
<br /> Footprint to Inform Biocultural Restoration and Future Sustainability in Hawai'i.Sustainability 2018, 10,3420.
<br /> 45 Lucas, M. (2017). Spatially quantifying and attributing 17 years of vegetation and land cover transitions across Hawaii. MSc Thesis.
<br /> University of Hawaii at Manoa
<br /> 46 A. C. Medeiros, E. I.von Allmen, C. G. Chimera. (2014)."Dry Forest Restoration and Unassisted Native Tree Seedling Recruitment
<br /> at Auwahi, Maui," Pacific Science,68(1), 33-45.
<br /> 47 Weller, S.G., Cabin, R.J., Lorence, D.H., Perlman, S.,Wood, K., Flynn,T.and Sakai,A.K. (2011).Alien plant invasions, introduced
<br /> ungulates,and alternative states in a mesic forest in Hawaii. Restoration Ecology, 19(5), pp.671-680.
<br /> 48 Kagawa,A., Sack, L., Duarte, K.E.and James, S. (2009). Hawaiian native forest conserves water relative to timber plantation:
<br /> species and stand traits influence water use. Ecological Applications, 19(6), pp.1429-1443.
<br /> 49 Bremer, L.L., DeMaagd, N.,Wada, C.A.and Burnett, K.M. (2021). Priority watershed management areas for groundwater recharge
<br /> and drinking water protection:A case study from Hawai'i Island.Journal of Environmental Management,286, p.111622.
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