Earthjustice Sues to Protect Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument

Narrator: “Earthjustice is challenging President Trump's attempt to open a marine national monument to commercial fishing.”

David Henkin: “The Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument is nearly five times the size of all national parks combined and is one of the most spectacular ocean ecosystems on Earth.

“The monument also holds cultural significance to Indigenous Pacific Islanders.

“President Trump signed a proclamation that opens this area to commercial fishing. We're counting on the courts to help us stop it.”

Narrator: “This proclamation undermines public lands and waters, endangered species, and cultural heritage, in favor of commercial interests.

Henkin: “By issuing this proclamation, Trump exceeded the president's constitutional authority and infringed upon powers that are reserved to Congress.

"Earthjustice will see the administration in court.”

David Henkin is deputy managing attorney of Earthjustice's Mid-Pacific Office. He defends Hawaiʻi’s precious landscapes, from Oʻahu’s Mākua Valley to the surrounding tropical waters.