Community support for State action to obtain (since it expired over 10 years ago) an easement to provide access to a boatramp on Maui is mounting, here.

I must have missed this in the news – The Independent ran this article earlier this week describing the debris accumulated as a result of the North Pacific gyre.  The graphic is compelling with experts estimating that the "garbage soup" is TWICE the size of the continental U.S.

Hat tip to gCaptain.com for the link.

A federal judge in Los Angeles has rejected  the Presidential exemption (posted here) and has enjoined sonar use by the Navy off the coast of California (original order posted here).

Calling the Presidential exemption "constitutionally suspect", the judge reaffirmed her prior decision enjoining the training exercises without mitigation measures pending completion of

Lots of coral reef issues in the news here.

A recent mapping effort by the federal government revealed the coral reef ecosystem "thriving" off the Big Island, as reported here.

A Maui company was proposed to receive a $672,618 fine for coral reef damage at Molokini.  Apparently, as a result of a vessel mishap…

The Garden Island reports about the impact of the Navy Sonar litigation in California and the potential impact on similar litigation over the use of sonar in Hawaii.

I posted about the litigation and President’s memorandum here.

Honolulu Advertiser reports that the Kona Blue Water fish farm is seeking permits to increase the size of their operation off the Kona coast of the Big Island.  Opponents sought a "contested case" hearing and an Environmental Impact Statement before granting the expansion request.  This is one to watch because ocean-based aquaculture is touted as…

Today’s Advertiser ran a story about the Maui Harbor Improvement EIS.  I posted the EIS here.

One thing is certain.  In the wake of the Superferry dispute, any development of the harbor areas will be contentious.  Hopefully, there is a chance for consensus.

President Bush has invoked an exemption of the Coastal Zone Management Act and effectively overturned the federal court’s injunction against the Navy’s operations off the coast of California, posted here.

The President’s memorandum is here.