Public policies in place for Waiahole ditch are not effective. There are current measures taken at the international level by the UN, who held an assembly concerning international waterways. The largest action was regulation of pesticides. The government has taken steps to protect the environment including the Safe Chemicals act and many House Revised Statutes concerning increased education and awareness and pesticide application. There are some advantages including the prevention of trespassing and there is some education in place. There are disadvantages to this public policy as well, especially the flimsy state of the fence and lack of a barrier between the ditch and dirt, the lack of effort to clean the area, and the lack of education concerning dangers created by just washing their car or killing weeds.
A better public policy would be to close all of the system into a tunnel. Biological control of pests is a new system being developed, and these agents increase agricultural sustainability, and can be used without other agents or pesticides, but are not easily sold commercially yet so they need to be developed further. There are a myriad of advantages to this proposed policy, including the great decrease in waste created by evaporation, nearby streams would not be affected negatively by runoff, and this system needs much less maintenance. There are disadvantages, including the need for more development and more land. Another possible solution is to keep the ditch open, but increase protection by fences as well as educate communities more effectively. The government has some programs to educate communities, but is not effective. Advantages for this plan include that not too much development is needed, and that the ditch would be protected. Disadvantages include the high maintenance of fences.
A better public policy would be to close all of the system into a tunnel. Biological control of pests is a new system being developed, and these agents increase agricultural sustainability, and can be used without other agents or pesticides, but are not easily sold commercially yet so they need to be developed further. There are a myriad of advantages to this proposed policy, including the great decrease in waste created by evaporation, nearby streams would not be affected negatively by runoff, and this system needs much less maintenance. There are disadvantages, including the need for more development and more land. Another possible solution is to keep the ditch open, but increase protection by fences as well as educate communities more effectively. The government has some programs to educate communities, but is not effective. Advantages for this plan include that not too much development is needed, and that the ditch would be protected. Disadvantages include the high maintenance of fences.