Hawaii's environment is threatened by several issues including trash pollution, invasive species, and water shortages. Tons of trash wash up on beaches each year harming wildlife and coral reefs. Hawaii has a high percentage of endangered species that face new threats from invasive snakes and animals. Additionally, the town of Kona may have to ration water as several wells are unusable and consumption has not decreased despite the stressed water infrastructure. These environmental problems endanger Hawaii's tourism economy and unique ecosystem.

1. Environmental Issues in
Paradise
Amanda Lyzwinski

2. Hawaii is known for it’s stunning
beaches, clear water, and unique
wildlife

3. Yet all of these are currently threatened

4. Hawaii’s tourism economy relies heavily
on its’ beaches looking like this

5. Yet they currently look like this

6. 57 tons of trash
were removed from
Hawaii beaches in
2014

7. Most of it comes from trash
thrown haphazardly into the
water

8. This plastic is being eaten by the marine animals
and poisoning them. The trash also is a threat to
the coral reefs.

9. Which brings us to the next point,
Hawaii’s endangered species

10. Hawaii has 40% of the US endangered
species

11. Invasive species are a new threat to the
preservation of these species. Snakes,
brought in illegally, have caused 9 bird species
and 3 lizard species to go extinct

12. This guy eats the eggs of native birds
and sea turtles

13. Even animals like this frog overpopulate and
create loud noise pollution all over the island

14. Lastly there is the issue of water, Kona’s
water supply is almost to the point of rationing

15. Four of Kona’s wells have been unusable
since January

16. If one more well breaks, the city of Kona will
ration water. Yet the locals have not
decreased consumption

17. This puts additional stress on the remaining
pipes, increasing their chance of failure.

18. Sources
• http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/08/hawaii-invasive-
species_n_4237315.html
• http://hawaiitribune-herald.com/news/local-news/overconsumption-
pump-issues-put-north-kona-verge-water-rationing
• https://pixabay.com/en/
• http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/03/us/hawaii-island-trash-problem-
irpt/index.html