HONOLULU -- The U.S. Supreme Court has lifted restrictions on the Navy's use of sonar off the coast of California.

Environmental activists in the islands said the Supreme Court decision won't affect the rules in Hawaiian waters, but they said they are disappointed with the ruling.

The Supreme Court ruled that national security is more important than environmental concerns. There have been lawsuits against the Navy's use of sonar here in Hawaii, and in this case off the coast of Southern California.

"The navy has continued to refuse to acknowledge what the scientific consensus is, that its sonar is frequently damaging and sometimes kills whales," said Paul Achitoff, with Earth Justice.

The Supreme Court ruled that some restrictions on the use of radar off California must be lifted.

"It's an issue of national security, and we believe that here in the southern California operating area we have been able to strike a proper balance between environmental stewardship and the ability for us to train our forces for success," said U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Samuel Locklear.

Hawaii activists said the ruling doesn't affect what the Navy is allowed to do in Hawaiian waters.

"It's naturally claiming that this is some sweeping victory but I don't think it's anything like that. People will continue to press the Navy to take measures that it can use to reduce risk to whales and continue to train realistically and adequately," Achitoff said.

So as the battle over sonar continues, some sonar restrictions remain in effect in Hawaiian waters.