A group called Expand Papah?naumoku?kea wants President Obama to do one more good deed for Hawai‘i before leaving office. Last month they sent a request urging the president to support the expansion of the Papah?naumoku?kea Marine National Monument. The request would extend the sanctuary to the full 200 nautical-mile limit of the Hawaiian Islands’ exclusive economic zone.
The area is home to some of the most unique marine life in the world. Dr. Douglas McCauley is a professor of marine biology who works closely with the monument.
There’s been some opposition from long-line fishermen who say it will deny them fishing grounds. But other fisherman like Rick Gaffney support the expansion.
More information can be found at Papah?naumoku?kea.gov