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The Latest by Paul Achitoff

Managing Attorney

Paul headed the Mid-Pacific regional office in Honolulu, HI, from 1994–2019. During that time, he handled a wide variety of public interest environmental litigation, including matters arising under the Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Water Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and Hawaiʻi’s Water Code.

Taro grows on the Hawaiian island of Kauaʻi. Hawaii’s governor just signed a bill to ban chlorpyrifos, making the state the first to outlaw the dangerous pesticide.
June 13, 2018

Hawaiʻi Leads Way for Nation With Major Pesticide Ban

By Paul Achitoff  /  Mid-Pacific Office

Hawai‘i just did what Scott Pruitt’s Environmental Protection Agency refuses to do: protect public health by banning chlorpyrifos from our food and farms.

A juvenile green sea turtle swims underneath the Midway Island Pier in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. This already threatened species would be harmed if President Trump allowed longline fishing in this area.
April 13, 2017

Agency Takes Aim at America’s Largest National Monument

By Paul Achitoff  /  Mid-Pacific Office

The Western Pacific Fisheries Management Council is acting far outside its mandate by asking President Trump to allow longline fishing in Hawai‘i’s Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.

The FDA neither tests genetically modified foods nor has ever approved one as safe for human consumption.
July 27, 2015

Don’t Be Afraid to Challenge Industry ‘Science’ on GE Foods

By Paul Achitoff  /  Mid-Pacific Office

Questioning the safety of pesticides and genetically engineered crops isn’t “anti-science,” no matter what agribusiness says.

Iowa soybean field
February 17, 2015

Enlist Duo: EPA Approves Heinous Herbicide

By Paul Achitoff  /  Mid-Pacific Office

Earthjustice has filed a motion to stay the EPA's approval of the herbicide Enlist Duo on the grounds that the agency violated the Endangered Species Act.

'Let ME (Maine) Decide' bumper sticker supporting GMO labeling.
January 16, 2014

Genetically Engineered Crops: Coming to a Store Near You?

By Paul Achitoff  /  Mid-Pacific Office

Consumers fight for protections and labeling.