US Maintains Largest Marine Monument, National Parks Face Funding, History Debates

Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument is the largest fully protected conservation area in the United States, spanning over 582,000 square miles in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and boasting significant ecological and cultural importance. General public access is highly restricted to protect its fragile ecosystems and Native Hawaiian cultural resources, with visitation limited to scientific research and restoration activities. Meanwhile, national parks across the country, including Yellowstone and Glacier in Montana, face critical infrastructure challenges such as deteriorating roads and bridges, which the Legacy Restoration Fund—established by the Great American Outdoors Act signed into law by President Donald Trump—has been addressing by funding billions of dollars in repairs and maintenance. This fund supports thousands of jobs and has stimulated over $10 billion in economic impact by improving park facilities nationwide. Despite these efforts, debates persist regarding how historical events are presented at national parks, with some arguing that efforts to moderate or sanitize certain narratives risk suppressing important historical truths. Nevertheless, the quality of park tours remains high, though some sites have controversially altered interpretive information under the current administration’s policies.