Posted 05/24/2012 Earthjustice is suing the National Marine Fisheries Service over the agency’s foot-dragging in protecting false killer whales from Hawai`i-based longline fishing vessels. NMFS’ own studies show that the whales are being hooked, injured, and even killed by … Continued
Posted 05/21/2012 Just days before the NRDC lawsuit, NMFS released its most recent stock assessment reports (SARs) for marine mammals, including those in the Pacific that interact with Hawai`i-based fisheries. At the same time, it responded to the several comments … Continued
Posted 04/09/2012 Kitty Simonds, executive director of the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council, has made little secret of her wish to see the protected status of the green sea turtle removed. This legislative session, she found an ally in Rep. … Continued
Posted 12/30/2011 When the National Marine Fisheries Service proposed expanding critical habitat for the Hawaiian monk seal, teetering on the brink of extinction, it may have unwittingly set off a war against the creature. In the last two months, … Continued
Posted 11/18/2011 November 18 brought a double whammy to the longline vessels operating out of Honolulu. The National Marine Fisheries Service announced that, beginning November 27, Hawai`i longline vessels will no longer be allowed to fish for bigeye tuna in … Continued
Posted 11/07/2011 The director of the state Department of Agriculture, Russell Kokubun, has issued a finding of no significant impact for the release of a scale insect that many in the conservation community hope will deal a blow to the … Continued
Posted 10/28/2011 The iconic Haleakala silversword, or hinahina, is in ‘drastic decline,’ report two scientists who have been regularly monitoring the plant. This year, 565 plants were in bloom, a “medium-flowering” year, write Forest Starr and Kim Starr. But in the … Continued
Posted 10/27/2011 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced that it is no longer considering the wekiu bug (Nysius wekiuicola) for listing as an endangered species. Two other species are also removed from candidate status: the Gila springsnail and the … Continued
Posted 10/20/2011 The highly anticipated Rainfall Atlas of Hawai`i is now available online. The atlas, assembled by University of Hawai`i geography professor Tom Giambelluca and colleagues, contains maps that show rainfall patterns in the major Hawaiian islands, based on … Continued
Posted 10/05/2011 Koa Ridge, the 767-acre development proposed for Central O`ahu by Castle & Cooke Homes Hawai`i, Inc., is back before the Land Use Commission. In August, 1st Circuit Judge Karl Sakamoto sided with the Sierra Club, Hawai`i Chapter, finding … Continued