July 18, 2016 — Congress wants to protect Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument even more.
But not everyone’s happy about it.
A group of fishermen, chefs and community leaders held a rally Friday against the proposed expansion, which would make the 200 miles around the Northwestern Hawaiian Island chain off-limits to fishermen.
The group says this would be detrimental to their way of life.
“Our purpose of this today is to send a message to our congregation in Washington and to our island-born president: hands off. Keep hands off. Keep us on the water and let us do what we do best,” said Jim Cook, Pop Fishing and Marine vice president.