January 2015 PDF
January 2015
‘Money Games’ Thwart Overhaul of Bigeye Tuna Protection Measure
At the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Management Commission (WCPFC) meeting last month in Apia, Samoa, the griping was constant and everywhere. In the hallways, at lunch tables, during tea breaks, on the shuttle rides back to hotels … “The … Continued
Supreme Court Rejects Most Findings of Lower Court in `Aina Le`a Appeal
On November 27, 1987, the Signal Puako Corporation filed a petition with the state Land Use Commission, seeking to place into the Urban land use district just over 1,000 acres in South Kohala between the newly minted village of Waikoloa … Continued
Conservation Groups Challenge NMFS Rule That Lifts Bigeye Catch Limit for Longliners
A federal rule that, for all intents and purposes, does away with bigeye tuna catch limits for the Hawai`i longline fleet is being challenged in U.S. District Court. The lawsuit, filed November 20, was brought by Earthjustice on behalf of … Continued
LETTER: Wespac Responds to Article on its Push to Reduce Size of Pacific Islands Monument
The following letter was received from the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council’s communications officer, Sylvia Spalding. We reprint it in its entirety. In its December 2014 issue, Environment Hawai`i published an article on the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council’s meeting with … Continued
Land Board Gives Green Light to Big Island Biofuel Project
The state Board of Land and Natural Resources last month unanimously approved a 65-year pipeline easement to Summit Biofuel, LLC. The company plans to use the pipeline to move biofuels from cargo ships at the port of Hilo to a … Continued
‘Inappropriate’ Proposal by Roehrig Draws Criticism, Fails Without Support
Except for a few questions from Land Board members about spill containment measures and ownership of the fuel storage facility, the easement to Summit Biofuel, LLC passed with very little discussion of the project itself. Debate focused mainly on a … Continued
New & Noteworthy: Aerial Hunting, Palila
Aerial Hunting Lawsuit: In 2012, the Hawai`i County Council, bowing to hunter pressure, passed a law that prohibits the killing of animals from the air. The following year, a federal judge ruled that the state of Hawai`i, which is under … Continued