On this day in 1790, Congress authorized the first 10 revenue cutters—the beginning of today's U.S. Coast Guard. Discover how Alexander Hamilton's vision helped build America's oldest continuous sea service. https://ow.ly/UHtE50Zvem8 #USCGBirthday #USCG

To Raise Revenue and Unify the Country

The Revenue Cutter Service, the original incarnation of the U.S. Coast Guard, was conceived and created by Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton—but not without political pushback.

ow.ly

Manu-o-Kū (White Tern) don’t build nests, they lay a single egg on a small branch, tree hollow, rocky ledge, or even human-made structures around Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll). A safe home might not need walls. Thanks, Dan Rapp. Have you ever seen a bird nest in such an unprotected place? #Birds

Flood insurance? Not in the conventional sense, but flood mapping Sand Island at Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) by drone will help protect nesting sites against rising sea levels. ecomagazine.com/news/coastal...

Aerial Drones and Robotics Survey Papahānaumokuākea's Remote Islands - environment coastal & offshore

A three-week expedition to Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument deployed aerial drones and autonomous robotics to map remote islands, assess shoreline changes, and monitor invasive algae on shal...

ecomagazine.com

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is hiring a Volunteer Crew Leader for Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge), six-month leadership role. See comments. #Birds Applicants must qualify at the GS-7 level; closing August 6! Read more & apply here: 🔗 friendsofmidway.org/now-hiring-v...

Vote for People's Choice winners of FOMA’s 2026 Art Contest. Submissions narrowed from 61; choose favorite in Over 18 and Under 18 categories. #Birds One vote per person per category. Voting ends Aug. 5 at 11:59 p.m. HST: friendsofmidway.org/Peoples-Choi... friendsofmidway.org/Peoples-Choi...

2026 FOMA Art Contest: People's Choice Voting Over 18 Category

Mahalo to all of our artists for their beautiful artwork! These represent the top 10 chosen by the members in the Art Committee & judges, which was no easy task. We ask that you vote for one artwork s...

friendsofmidway.org

#TBT It's been over 10 years since the Battle of Midway memorial was installed on Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll). See more in comments. #Birds Read the marker's full inscription and learn more: www.abmc.gov/history/disc... Photos by Bret Wolf and Dan Rapp

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Supervisory Sanctuary Superintendent

This position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), with vacancies in Monterey, CA; San Francisco, CA; Annapolis, MD; La Plata, MD; Si...

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Endangered Species Act Protections Changed July 14, 2026, regulatory definition of “harm” rescinded. #Birds See more in comments. You can help: lnkd.in/ghpH7mYy Would you consider a contribution: lnkd.in/gQ-J9gTA Photos on Midway Atoll courtesy of USGS and Jon Plissner

Mōlī (Laysan albatross) fledgling is ready for takeoff… Captured in slow-mo by USFWS biologist & volunteer Dan Rapp. #Birds youtu.be/m7GJu9blzuo

Mōlī (Laysan albatross) Practices Flying with a Fabulous Hairdo!

YouTube video by Friends of Midway Atoll NWR

youtu.be

Meet two more 2026 Art Contest judges! Last chance to enter is today. #Birds Mahalo to Caren Loebel-Fried and Wayne Sentman for sharing their time and expertise with this year's contest! Submit here: friendsofmidway.org/2026-art-con...

Back as a judge is J. Hauʻoli Lorenzo-Elarco. Ass’t Prof of Hawaiian language at Honolulu Community College. He is also the coordinator of the Papahānaumokuākea Native Hawaiian Cultural Working Group (CWG), and serves as the chair of the Nomenclature Subcommittee. #Birds

New Advocacy Resource! Help Protect Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) On 7/11/26, a Presidential Proclamation removed prohibitions on commercial fishing in portions of PapahānaumokuākeaYour voice can help before new regs are final. See details in comments. #Birds Photos Andrew Sullivan-Haskins & Dan Rapp

Not all “eco-friendly” straws are created equally. This Plastic Free July, we’re going deeper than the label. We sat down with Dr. Bryan James, a materials engineer and Assistant Professor at Northeastern University, to learn about the science behind the straw.

Káupu (Black-footed albatross) & mōlī (Laysan albatross) chicks heading out to sea for the first time. #Birds See comment for note by FWS Volunteer Crew Lead Molly Henling! Watch fledglings live: friendsofmidway.org/live-cam Help FOMA keep the camera streaming: friendsofmidway.org/live-cam-mem...

Apply now! Midway 6-month positions announced. www.fws.gov/media/6-mont...

The unshakeable strength of John McCain’s character set a gold standard. https://www.usni.org/JohnMcCainIII

Remembering My Sea Daddies: John McCain III

The unshakeable strength of John McCain’s character set a gold standard.

usni.org

One week left to submit your artwork for the 2026 FOMA Art Contest! Deadline: July 15 at 11:59 PM Hawaiʻi Time Mahalo nui loa to every artist sharing their time and talent to honor this incredible place. Rules: friendsofmidway.org/foma-art-con... Submit: friendsofmidway.org/2026-art-con... #Birds

FOMA’s 2nd Annual Art Contest June 15 to July 15, 2026

Aerial view of Midway Atoll by Jon Brack The Friends of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Battle of Midway National Memorial are excited to announce the second annual FOMA Art Contest! Entr…

friendsofmidway.org

Koaʻe ʻula (Red-tailed Tropicbird) briefly appears on Kuaihelani live cam; you can actually hear its wings. youtu.be/DRJfxN2CHn8 Also, Mōlī chicks are growing fast! #Birds Live cam: friendsofmidway.org/live-cam Help the live cam : friendsofmidway.org/live-cam-mem...

Experience Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) LIVE!

A dream over 20 years in the making, the sounds and sights are now coming to you live 24/7 from Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge! This live cam is brought to you by the Friends of Midway …

friendsofmidway.org

Independence Day 1942 saw quiet determination. President Roosevelt reminded all that freedom was being defended not w/celebration alone, but thru sacrifice, service, & resolve.More: friendsofmidway.org/a-reflection... A meaningful and safe Independence Day! Photo: Coast Guard 5th NYC 7/4/42 Getty

Tracking Tiny #Birds Former USFWS volunteer Sophie Elliott: “Finding out where & how far birds go to find food…[We tagged] ʻAkihikēʻehiʻale (Tristram's storm-petrels) on Eastern Island…The tiny tags are gently taped to the bird's tail feathers.” See comments. Photos Sophie Elliott and Dan Rapp

FOMA Art Contest OPEN! #Birds Artists of all ages are invited; 2nd Annual Friends of Midway Atoll Art Contest. Two categories: • Youth (Under 18) • Adults (18+) Submission window: June 15 – July 15, 2026 Guidelines & rules: lnkd.in/gNnqwPNR Submit your artwork here: lnkd.in/gs5XJG3w

Natl Marine Sanctuary Foundation seeks Education/Outreach Coordinator to implement education/outreach programs for the Pacific Islands Region Office of Natl Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) & Natl Marine Sanctuary Foundation. Oahu Education & Outreach Coordinator workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/defau...

Researchers who study what divides people also have the tools to explore strategies to unite them go.nature.com/4w6508E

‘Us’ not ‘them’: scientists must use their skills to help stop polarization and division

Researchers who study what divides people also have the tools to explore strategies to unite them.

go.nature.com

Happy International Surfing Day! 🌊🎉 Be sure to tag @surfrider and #InternationalSurfingDay in your posts celebrating our ocean, waves, and beaches for a chance to be featured! 🏄‍♂️: Kelly Slater 🎥: Aaron Lieber

Buttons, tote bags, and coasters designs for World Albatross Day are here, featuring 2025 Art Contest artwork and the beloved Makalena pair, George and Geraldine. Every purchase supports conservation on Kuaihelani. #Birds www.printful.com/dashboard/st... #WorldAlbatrossDay #Kuaihelani

World Honu Day; Hawaiian green sea turtle is a protected Endangered Species. See comments. friendsofmidway.org/celebrating-... Photos: USFWS Recovery Permits TE72088A-3,TE163899-2, NOAA Permit 21260, HI Lands & Natural Resources Special Activity Permit 2026-01, USFWS Recovery Permit TE-163899-2

Haleakalā NP is looking for a Budget Technician (GS-5/6/7) to join the Facility Management team! Permanent, career-seasonal position based in-person, w/ full federal health, retirement, leave, & sick leave bennies. ⏰ Applications close June 18 at 6:00 PM HST. 👉 Apply: www.usajobs.gov/job/872232200

20 year celebration for Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. 582,578 sq mi protects/safeguards habitat for millions of seabirds, green sea turtles, Hawaiian monk seals, & Laysan ducks. #Birds Here's to 20 years of conservation—and the work still ahead; more here: www.papahanaumokuakea.gov

Art Contest OPEN thru July 15! Show us your Kuaihelani: paint, pencil, ink, or mixed media. Categories: Over 18/Under 18 Rules, guidelines & submission: friendsofmidway.org/foma-art-con... Below from FOMA's 2025 Art Contest by Juliana Ramirez, Shay Rempfer, Christine Ogura, Sarah Donahue #Birds

Wisdom's Grand-chick HH33 (offspring of N333) banded by Acting Refuge Manager Rob Vinson and Volunteer Crew Lead Molly Henling. See comments. Join in conservation: friendsofmidway.org/fb-donate-me... Wisdom's lineage: friendsofmidway.org/wisdoms-line... HH33 growing: youtu.be/ZW8gHzCVBwU #Birds