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Protests in Hawaii

On this page you will find information concerning two separate protests:

March 2007 - The Impact of Navy Sonar
January 2007 - Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary

 

March 2007 Protest

On March 16, 2007 Dr. Marsha Green and the International Ocean Noise Coalition (IONC) organized public demonstrations in Maui, Oahu and Kauai to protest the U.S. Navy's indiscriminate use of sonar in areas frequented by marine mammals. These rallies in Hawaii are the first in a series of demonstrations to educate people globally about sonar and ocean noise.

The demonstrations were conducted on the anniversary of the March, 2000 Bahamas mass stranding where the Navy's use of mid-frequency active sonar resulted in the deaths of 17 whales of various species.

Local news articles, pictures and flyers distributed during the protests are provided below:

March 28, 2007
Video Interview with Dr. Green About the Protests Against Navy Sonar
By WhaleSongProject on YouTube.com


March 27, 2007
Saving the Whales… Again
By Maui Times


March 14, 2007
Whale advocacy group to protest Navy’s use of deadly sonar in National Sanctuary
By Haleakala Times


March 15, 2007
Sonar sound-off slated in Kahului
By Edwin Tanji, City Editor, Maui News

Maui New Article Corrections:
Dr. Marsha Green is quoted as saying, "She is protesting a Navy finding of no significant impact in an environmental assessment for its plan to conduct six exercises in Hawaii waters over two years, firing sound impulses of up to 173 decibels."

The article should read, "She is protesting a Navy finding of no significant impact in an environmental assessment for its plan to conduct 12 exercises in Hawaii waters over two years, firing sound impulses of up to 253 decibels."

Hawaii Protest Photo 1
Hawaii Protest Photo 2
Hawaii Protest Photo 3




January 2007 Protest

January 12, 2007 Dr. Marsha Green and a group of students held protests calling for more protection for humpback whales within the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.

January 17, 2007
Demonstrators Urge Greater Humpback Whale Protection
An official defends the efforts of the national whale sanctuary

By Gary Kubota, Star Bulletin


The sanctuary, established in 1994, encompasses about 1,370 square miles, including most waters between Maui and the near by islands of Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe. The sanctuary's stated purpose is to protect humpback whales and their habitat. A map of the sanctuary is located at http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/maps/maps.html

Numerous threats to whales exist within the sanctuary waters:

1. Noise pollution

2. Boat collisions with whales - These are not always reported so the exact number is unknown.

3. Toxic waste - Not all boat harbors have waste pumping stations; therefore boats dump sewage and toxic treatment chemicals in the water daily. Oil spills, fertilizer and toxic chemical runoff and garbage all contribute to the contaminants in the ocean.

4. Debris entanglement - This includes fishing lines and ropes.

Does this sound like a sanctuary where you would want to birth, nurse and raise your baby?




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