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Polymetallic nodules, misshapen black globes encrusted with coveted metals like cobalt, nickel and manganese, taken from the ocean floor. (William West / AFP via Getty Images)
Press Release September 30, 2026

Lawsuit Challenges Trump Administration Greenlighting of International Deep-Sea Mining Exploration Permit

The groups seek transparency in NOAA decision to advance The Metals Company application
document September 30, 2026

NOAA Deep Sea Mining Complaint

Plaintiffs Conservation Council for Hawaiʻi and Center for Biological Diversity complain of the actions of Defendants National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NOAA Administrator Dr. Neil Jacobs, challenging NOAA's…
In the News: Maui Now September 26, 2026

Hawaiian Electric still plans to retire Maui’s fossil fuel plants despite EPA easing greenhouse gas restrictions

Isaac Moriwake, Managing Attorney, Mid-Pacific Office: “There’s nothing reliable about relying on last century’s technology as we’re burning up the planet.”
A school of rays swimming in the Northern Mariana Islands. (Charlie Jung / Getty Images)
Press Release September 8, 2026

Lawsuit Challenges Mariana Islands Deep-Sea Mining Lease Sale

Groups seek protection for imperiled species from destructive deep-sea mining activities
document September 8, 2026

Deep Sea Mining Mariana Islands Complaint

Plaintiffs Our Common Wealth 670, PåganWatch, Conservation Council for Hawai‘i, and Center for Biological Diversity hereby complain of the actions of Defendants National Marine Fisheries Service and Secretary of Commerce…
Lau'ipala (yellow tang fish) swim in a coral reef off the island of Lānaʻi, Hawaii. Reefs are essential to biodiversity, with 25% of all marine species found in, on, or near them. Healthy reefs also facilitate subsistence and commercial fishing, and they protect people from storm surges and floods, absorbing up to 97% of a shorebound wave’s energy. Around a billion people benefit from reefs. (M Swiet Productions / Getty Images)
Press Release: Victory August 28, 2026

Hawai‘i Land Board Rejects Move To Reopen Commercial Aquarium Fish Collection

Decision marks a turning point in the long-running effort to protect Hawai‘i’s native reef fish from commercial capture and sale
In the News: KHON August 28, 2026

Land Board considers new rules for Aquarium fish collection

Mahesh Cleveland, Attorney, Mid-Pacific Office “About half of them die within the first year of captivity, and in the wild they can live up to 40 years. So it’s really about keeping Hawaiʻi’s fish on Hawaiʻi’s reef for Hawaiʻi’s people.”
In the News: KITV August 28, 2026

BLNR rejects proposal to resume commercial aquarium fish collection in West Hawaiʻi

Mahesh Cleveland, Attorney, Mid-Pacific Office: “This decision recognizes the will of Hawaiʻi’s people. Again and again, communities have turned out at public meetings to oppose this trade.”
Earthjustice attorney David Henkin, left, and Rudy Bartley, a member of the nonprofit groups Faasao Amerika Samoa and Puipui Measina a Amerika Samoa, take part in the Stand with the Moana demonstration to support and protect the ocean on July 16, 2026 on the Utulei shore in American Samoa. The event was organized by Finafinau, a nonprofit environmental advocacy group. (Gabby Faʻaiʻuaso for Earthjustice)
Press Release August 18, 2026

Lawsuit Targets First Deep-Sea Mining Lease Sale in U.S. Waters

Groups seek to protect imperiled species from underwater mining activities in American Samoa
document August 18, 2026

Complaint: Deep-Sea Mining in American Samoa

Plaintiffs Fa‘asao Amerika Samoa and Conservation Council for Hawai‘i hereby complain of the actions of Defendants National Marine Fisheries Service and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. The United States has…
Polymetallic nodules, misshapen black globes encrusted with coveted metals like cobalt, nickel and manganese, taken from the ocean floor. (William West / AFP via Getty Images)
Press Release August 17, 2026

Second Deep-Sea Mining Lease Sale Announced Off of Mariana Islands and Guam

Trump administration accelerates reckless plan to open Pacific to deep-sea mining
In the News: The Honolulu Star-Advertiser August 15, 2026

BLNR nixes long-term East Maui water license for Mahi Pono

Elena Bryant, Attorney, Mid-Pacific Office: "This isn’t just putting the cart before the horse — it’s sending the cart off a cliff and hoping the horse somehow catches up."
Pelika Andrade, pictured on the island of Nihoa, has spent nearly 20 years protecting Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. (Photo courtesy of Pelika Andrade)
Article August 12, 2026

The Pacific Ocean Fed Her Community for Generations. Now It’s Under Attack by the Trump Administration

Pelika Andrade has spent nearly 20 years protecting Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Trump’s plan to allow commercial fishing there could undo it all.
In the News: Inside Climate News August 7, 2026

Trump Promotes Commercial Fishing in Protected Pacific Marine National Monuments

David Henkin, Attorney, Mid-Pacific Office: “We’re planning to take the administration to court and sue them. The proclamation itself is unconstitutional, illegal, and any efforts to implement the proclamation and give the green light to commercial fishing would be likewise illegal.”
A stunning array of corals and sponges on Retriever Seamount. This high diversity and density was characteristic of what scientists saw during a deep-sea expedition. (NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research / Deep Connections 2019)
From the Experts August 6, 2026

Breaking Down Deep-Sea Mining Regulatory Authority

Understanding the U.S. and international laws that regulate deep-sea mining.
"The people of the Mariana Islands will fight to protect our homes and our way of life as hard as we must and for as long as we must," said Jerome Kaipat Aldan, former mayor of the Northern Islands. (Pågan Island, ca. 1970. Courtesy of Cinta Kaipat)
Press Release: Victory August 6, 2026

U.S. Navy Scales Back Destructive Live-Fire Training in Northern Mariana Islands

Robust public input and disclosures hold the Navy to limited training on only one island
document July 30, 2026

Complaint: Endangered Species Act – Section 4(b)(2) Rule

Challenging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's promulgation of the “Critical Habitat Exclusion Rule” — a new rule that unlawfully provides industry special interests with an effective veto over important…
Press Release July 22, 2026

Environmental Groups Challenge Trump EPA’s Rejection of Hawaiʻi’s Clean Air Plan in Federal Court

Coalition asks court to overturn an illegal EPA rule that harms the state's iconic and unique park lands