2 ms·

> But it was apparent that large swaths of native vegetation were cleared for colonization. Even before settlers, the land on Maui wasn't just unkempt wilderne

> But it was apparent that large swaths of native vegetation were cleared for colonization. Even before settlers, the land on Maui wasn't just unkempt wilderness. They had enormous Taro and fish farms. They also thinned out forests regularly. Like most agricultural societies, they actively managed their landscape. But part of the issue (besides global warming) is that nearly all of the land is going derelict for the first time. These areas have been under active management for thousands of years up until 40 years ago. And free-falling Ag revenue means that there is less money to manage it today - either subsidize new agriculture or even properly re-wild it. It would be easy enough to try to go back to pre-plantation agriculture, but Native Hawaiians today are no more interested to take up subsistence Taro farming than we would be. So there is not much of a solution either than grin and increase tourism, or get more federal subsidies and repeal the Jones Act.

trafficante 3y ago
> repeal the Jones Act Man do I wish more attention was given to this matter. Virtually all the national security arguments in favor of the Jones Act are either moot or straight up farcical in Current Year. It’s particularly strange when you consider this should be one of those unicorn “good” bipartisan issues with multiple reasons for right/left wing people to hop on board. Environmentalism, anti-racist (ie: Puerto Rico), huge boost to many local economies (on both the coasts and Midwest), etc. Maybe the trucking industry/unions are heavily lobbying against a repeal? It’s difficult to come up with a reasonable explanation for why Jones Act bills keep dying before they get a vote.
- legitster 3y ago
  It boggles my mind. Someone was telling me that the Mississippi River is only using about 1/10th of its potential freight capacity when compared to equivalent European waterways or even the shipping capacity the Army Corp of Engineers maintains. For all of the attention billionaires get, I think it's a good reminder of how politics are still local. The Koch brothers dumped billions of dollars to try to reform prison sentencing and oppose the ACA and got nowhere with either. Meanwhile, a small handful of multi-generational shipping magnates in the US have had a stranglehold on the economy with the support of congress for over 100 years.

trafficante 3y ago

> repeal the Jones Act Man do I wish more attention was given to this matter. Virtually all the national security arguments in favor of the Jones Act are either moot or straight up farcical in Current Year. It’s particularly strange when you consider this should be one of those unicorn “good” bipartisan issues with multiple reasons for right/left wing people to hop on board. Environmentalism, anti-racist (ie: Puerto Rico), huge boost to many local economies (on both the coasts and Midwest), etc. Maybe the trucking industry/unions are heavily lobbying against a repeal? It’s difficult to come up with a reasonable explanation for why Jones Act bills keep dying before they get a vote.

legitster 3y ago
It boggles my mind. Someone was telling me that the Mississippi River is only using about 1/10th of its potential freight capacity when compared to equivalent European waterways or even the shipping capacity the Army Corp of Engineers maintains. For all of the attention billionaires get, I think it's a good reminder of how politics are still local. The Koch brothers dumped billions of dollars to try to reform prison sentencing and oppose the ACA and got nowhere with either. Meanwhile, a small handful of multi-generational shipping magnates in the US have had a stranglehold on the economy with the support of congress for over 100 years.