Nature Cannot Be Replaced, So We Must Prioritize Protecting It.

2025 was one of the "longest" years of my life. So many things happened here in the U.S. - mostly for the worse. We, as United States residents, are being flooded with events, changes and information (and disinformation). So, now we are not only busy with work and home life, but also fighting for basic human rights, fighting for U.S. democracy, and fighting for the environment.

Beautiful coastal seascape, Windward Oahu, Hawaii. Kaneohe Bay on the Windward coast has been the subject of much recent tourism, mainly the Kaneohe Bay Sandbar. The sandbar and surrounding areas are home to native fish, Green Sea Turtles, Sharks and Manta Rays. It is common to see high-speed boats ripping across Kaneohe Bay with no regard for the marine wildlife; it is also common to see trash floating in the bay. I urge our congress members who represent Kaneohe to advocate for better protection of Kaneohe Bay!

Out of all these things, I feel like the environment is lacking a spotlight - mainly because humans are first concerned about other humans, which is understandable. But humans are nature, and everything we live amongst is surrounded by nature. Because I live on an island, it is much easier to see the effects of consumerism and waste. I will be writing a separate post about consumerism, so stay in the loop for that later (but very relevant) post!!

One of the many things I LOVE about living in Hawaii is the unselfish nature of Hawaiian culture. Specifically for nature, Hawaiian culture teaches that for everything you take/remove from the natural environment, you should give an offering or gift back. If you've ever heard Hawaiian terms such as "Mālama 'Āina" or "Aloha 'Āina", that is always in reference to the viewpoint of reciprocity and respect between humans and the environment. Prioritize care for the land, take/give, tread lightly, consuming less are great ways to lighten your burden on nature.

Always tread lightly when exploring nature. Detail of hiking boot on forest floor covered in pine/fir needles and Big Leaf Maple leaf, Remote forest in Oregon.

All of the above brings me to my point that "Nature Cannot Be Replaced." While other things like household items, jobs, money, cars, phones/accessories, clothing, etc. can readily be replaced, there is no true replacement for the parts of nature that humans destroy. Nature gives us EVERYTHING we need to survive, but what do we give back? Furthermore, don't we want to preserve the stunning/beautiful places that this earth has given us for free?!

Think about the most beautiful place in nature you've ever seen or been to...maybe it's an alpine lake, or a beach or a grove of redwoods. So what if you went to the alpine lake, and you noticed a hiker's waterbottle, cast aside and floating in that lake...would you not be annoyed and wish to fish it out? What if you showed up at your favorite beach but while lounging in the sand found lots of microplastics and/or cigarette butts? What if you were walking quietly through your favorite forest and saw several trees cut down for logging? What if pull over at a scenic turnout during travel, but notice a large chiseled-out section of a hillside you are overlooking, due to recent mining? These are all VERY common scenarios, but it often feels like not enough people care or take action to put guardrails on such things as littering, trampling and development of beautiful landscapes.

Visitors viewing the sunset from a "pu'u" atop Mauna Kea, Big Island, Hawaii. Mauna Kea has been the subject of much strife in recent times due to the proposed construction of the 30 Meter Telescope (TMT) on Mauna Kea's summit, whose landscape is already littered with multiple observatories and could potentially pollute and/or divert precious water resources.

What we need are MORE people to take a stand for nature...to fight for what doesn't have a voice...to take notice and document the destructions (which are sometimes small, but add up!) that humans perpetrate upon nature.

Small things we can do to help:

-Donate to, or Volunteer at, your Local conservation groups.

-Pick up trash along roadsides, especially if bordering a coastline, natural reserve, wetland, etc. If a few households picked up outdoor trash just ONCE PER MONTH, imagine the change we could see in trash pollution!! Trash pickups can easily be paired with daily walks. :)

-Keep a small trashbag and gloves in your purse or backpack, so you can leap into action if you find pollutants during your travels, outdoor leisure time and/or daily commute.

-Purchase groceries with tact; only buy local, organic or sustainable products if you can afford it. Similarly, don't support companies or products that cause deforestation.

-Don't buy crystals as a hobby...crystal harvesting supports environmental destruction. Similarly, don't take rocks from beaches...beach rocks support natural ecosystems.

-Recycle and be aware of your state's recycling guidelines (recycling companies may dump whole bins of recycling in the trash if they find unrinsed bottles/cans, large amounts of unrecyclable plastic and/or recyclable containers contaminated with food).

-Take photos of pollution or destruction when you see them. Documentation is key for education.

Volunteering at Hāmākua Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii. Foreground features the official flower of Hawaii - the Ma'o Hau Hele (an endemic yellow hibiscus). This wetland is home to several Endemic/Indigenous and Endangered Birds. Currently it is being reforested with native plants and trees to aid the health of the marsh and its native habitants. However, trash is often found in the marsh from surrounding street and businesses...this is unacceptable.

--this is just a short list...there are MANY more avenues to helping keep our keep our nature landscapes clean and beautiful!--

And now, I leave you with some beautiful nature images...if these places are destroyed or corrupted, they cannot be replaced...

Overlooking the active vent at Halema'uma'u Crater, Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Big Island, Hawaii. The recent dramatic eruptions (starting in December 2024) of Halema'uma'u Crater, have led to massive amounts of tourism/foot traffic to the National Park and native habitats within the park. I urge visitors to please be conscious of plants and trees in the area you walk through...these native areas are very fragile and many are endangered.

Exploring Oneonta Gorge in Oregon. This picture was taken in 2015...the gorge has since gained much popularity, leading to overcrowding/tourism of the place and thus littering/trampling etc. Furthermore, a firework-started fire burnt much of the surrounding forest.

Native Koa forest on Mauna Loa Road in the Kakuku Unit of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. This area recently had a forest fire burn several acres of native vegetation, destroying native habitat. I urge people to be very careful if they choose to visit this place.

Remote tide pools along the Big Island's Kohala Coast are home schools of fish and a favorite resting spot for native Green Sea Turtles. NEVER approach sea turtles resting, basking in the sun or swimming...it is against Hawaii State Law and is just overall gross behavior.

Old growth trees in Hoh Rainforest, Olympic National Park, Washington state. Old growth forests, including this one, are constantly in danger due to forest fire destruction and continuing development due to property construction projects and deforestation. We must always advocate to protect these ancient trees / forestlands!