Some community members voiced opposition, fearing that a marine sanctuary would further restrict fishing and traffic.

In October 1990, Congress again directed NOAA to determine the feasibility of a national marine sanctuary in Hawaii.

[4][6] In response to public concern, the Act allowed the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Governor, to modify the sanctuary's boundaries.

[4] To increase public support, the sanctuary essentially incorporated existing protections without additional measures.

Those restrictions primarily dealt with approach and harassment, waste discharge, and alteration of the sea bed.

The center offers public education programs and lectures, and features a marine science library.

At their full grown length they can reach up to 55 feet long, and weighs about one ton for every square foot.

Occasionally pods of dolphins are found trailing mothers and their calves, and it has been speculated that they are consuming be leftover milk that the calf does not eat.

Scientists have only been able to speculate as to why they do this, theories include using the motion to knock barnacles off, show of dominance, mark personal space etc.

Many times the whales will use their pectoral fins and flukes to slam each other, leavening bruises and cuts from the barnacles attached to their skin.

One of the sanctuary's main purposes is to find ways to conduct these activities that have minimal impact on humpback whales and their habitat.

[4] Protecting humpback whales and their habitat is very important for the continued success of Hawai`i's whalewatching industry.