Red Hill
Which branch of the U.S. military operates the Red Hill fuel storage tanks?
The U.S. Navy.
What is an invasive species?
A non-native organism that spreads rapidly in a new environment, often causing harm to local ecosystems, native species, or human activities.
T or F? No pesticides are used on the UH Mānoa campus.
False. Several pesticides and herbicides are used around campus, including Roundup and Roundup equivalents.
What is a pesticide?
Any substance, or mixture of substances, intended to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate the pest.
What are microplastics?
Small plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in size.
True or False? The oil from the tanks has been contained?
False. An estimated 200 gal have leaked into the groundwater that cannot be cleaned or contained.
What species do the coconut rhinoceros beetle pose a threat to?
Coconuts, Lolou (endemic palm trees), Banana, Hala, Kalo, Pineapple, Sugarcane
T or F? Herbicides can only affect the plants on which they are sprayed.
False. Chemicals travel through air and runoff water and cannot be contained.
How many pounds of pesticides are sprayed annually in the U.S.?
1,000,000,000 lbs.
T or F? We consume about a credit card's worth of plastic each week.
True. We consume about 5 grams or 1 credit card of microplastics each week.
What year was the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility built?
1943
What are some invasive plants that were introduced as food sources, yet now threaten native plants?
Guava, Strawberry Guava, Coffee, & Lilikoi.
What herbicide, commonly used on genetically modified crops, has been controversial due to its links to health concerns and environmental impacts?
Glyphosate (often found in products like Roundup)
In what percentage of bee hives in agricultural areas were there traces of pesticides found?
90%.
Which common personal care product historically contained microbeads, a form of microplastic, before they were banned?
Exfoliating face and body scrubs. The Microbead-Free Waters Act was enacted in 2015.
What environmental concern has the Red Hill facility recently raised for the local community?
Fuel leaks contaminating drinking water, having dangerous impacts on human health.
Out of mangrove trees, Banyan trees, and bamboo, which are native and which are invasive?
All are invasive!
What is the term for the process by which pesticides can accumulate in an animal’s body fat over time?
Bioaccumulation.
What pharmaceutical company acquired Monsanto, the international agrochemical company known for its product, RoundUp®?
Bayer.
What is a common synthetic fiber that contributes to microplastic pollution when washed?
Polyester.
Which federal agency is primarily responsible for overseeing the safety and environmental regulations of the Red Hill facility?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
How can you prevent the spread of invasive species?
Wash all your gear (shoes, clothing, backpack, tent) thoroughly between hiking/camping trips, especially between Koʻolaus and Waiʻanae mountain ranges. Buy and plant native plants in your garden rather than invasive!
Which chemical, once widely used as a pesticide, was banned in the U.S. in 1972 due to its harmful environmental and health effects?
DDT.
In what ways do pesticides threaten our oceans?
They contribute to toxic algae blooms, disrupt coral reproduction, and cause cancer in aquatic organisms.
What is the term for tiny plastic particles that form when larger plastic items break down over time?
Secondary microplastics.