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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, 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
In the News: Hawaii News Now July 22, 2026

Hawaii AG challenges EPA’s disapproval of HECO air pollution reduction plan

Isaac Moriwake, Managing Attorney, Mid-Pacific Office: “At HECO’s request, EPA jumped all over this chance to trash the law, pollute the environment, and keep Hawaii consumers stuck paying the skyrocketing bills for imported fossil fuels.”
A fireball rises above the 36th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Tarague range seconds after the detonation of an M117 bomb, as a part of the flight's training, on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. (A1C Joshua P. Strang / USAF)
Press Release July 20, 2026

Earthjustice and Prutehi Guåhan File Supreme Court Brief Defending Guam Community’s Right to Meaningful Environmental Review

Earthjustice filed its merits brief today in the U.S. Supreme Court in Department of the Air Force v. Prutehi Guåhan, a case about whether the U.S. military can destroy its…
Starfish in bamboo coral, one of the rich deep-sea marine life in Rose Atoll. (NOAA Okeanos Explorer)
Press Release July 16, 2026

Trump Administration Announces American Samoa Deep-Sea Mining Lease Sale

Environmental and community groups condemn reckless proposal that threatens ocean life and cultural practices
document July 15, 2026

Fact Sheet: American Samoa Deep Sea Mining and Monuments (Samoan)

The Trump administration is trying to open marine waters around the Pacific to highly destructive industrial activities. Earthjustice is supporting local groups in American Samoa and beyond to respond. (Text…
document July 15, 2026

Fact Sheet: American Samoa Deep Sea Mining and Monuments (English)

The Trump administration is trying to open marine waters around the Pacific to highly destructive industrial activities. Earthjustice is supporting local groups in American Samoa and beyond to respond.
Press Release: Victory July 14, 2026

Development at Turtle Bay Must Follow Environmental Protection Laws

Oʻahu’s North Shore is home to endangered species protected by state and federal laws
document July 14, 2026

Order Granting Plaintiffs Motion for Summary Judgment

In the case of Center for Biological Diversity, Conservation Council for Hawai‘i, and Kūpa‘a Kuilima v. Department of Planning and Permitting, City and County of Honolulu, this order grants the…
In the News: Canary Media July 9, 2026

Hawaiʻi committed to 100 % clean energy. Now it’s flirting with natural gas.

Isaac Moriwake, Managing Attorney, Mid-Pacific Office: “The PUC takes its job very seriously. These are very technical issues.”