In January 2012, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued a biological opinion (BiOp), which found that the Hawai‘i shallow-set longline fishery would not jeopardize the continued existence of loggerhead or leatherback turtles if it operated under a leatherback interaction … Continued
Neither the expansion of marine monuments nor the strict bigeye tuna quotas set by international fishing organizations have stopped Hawai‘i’s deep-set longline fleet from growing. Last year, the fishery had a record number of active vessels, 145, which together set … Continued
A new stock assessment by the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) suggests that the Main Hawaiian Islands bottomfish restricted fishing areas (BRFAs) established two decades ago, when stocks were thought to be in deep peril, could be downsized — … Continued
February came and went without a vote, despite an express wish in November by Honolulu City Council member Ikaika Anderson that one would be taken. March passed, too, and Anderson’s Bill 1, to approve the Ko‘olau Loa Sustainable Communities Plan, … Continued
A half-century-old plan to build a lavish resort in Ka‘u is at the heart of litigation that’s been brought by the current owner of the land where two high-rise hotel towers were once proposed to be built, along with restaurants, … Continued
How, if at all, should last year’s contested case proceeding and resulting Conservation District Use Permit (CDUP) for the proposed Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) influence the lawsuit over the denial of a contested case over the sublease for the facility? … Continued
Kuki‘o Clean-up: Before publishing our article in March on irrigation lines, sandbags, and other beach-armoring gear along the Big Island beach at Kuki‘o, we sought comment from the Kuki‘o Community Association, which owns the adjoining property. None was forthcoming. Last … Continued
April 2018
On July 11, the state Board of Land and Natural Resources fined Hawai‘i Superferry passengers Charlie Bright, Ralph Chun, and Victor Fonoimoana $3,050 each for the unauthorized taking of a total of 934 river stones from the Conservation District of … Continued
How close is too close to quasi-extinction? It’s a subjective question, Melissa Snover told the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council at its June meeting. But in light of the council’s recent recommendation to lift the effort limits on Hawai‘i’s shallow-set … Continued