Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale NMS Management Plan Review Update

Management Plan Review Update

The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is co-managed through a partnership between NOAA and the State of Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources.   The sanctuary was designated by an act of Congress in 1992 to be a single-species sanctuary to protect humpback whales and their habitat. The sanctuary has initiated the process to review, evaluate, and update its management plan and will continue to ensure a high level of public engagement throughout this process.

One of the methods to facilate this involvement is through the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council. The council allows Hawai‘i residents to provide advice on the sanctuary’s resource protection, research, education and outreach programs to the sanctuary superintendent. The council, established in March 1996, is comprised of members from various local user groups, native Hawaiian groups, conservation, science and educational organizations, county interests and members of the public. Sanctuary Advisory Council working groups have developed management recommendations to address priority issues identified during a 90-day public scoping period that was held in summer of 2010. These recommendations do not reflect the endorsement of any individuals or agencies but are a result of a process by the working groups which synthesized multiple sources of information and collectively developed and produced these reports. Working group reports will be presented to the full council for their review and approval at the Sanctuary Advisory Council Meeting open to the public on January 17 & 18th, 2012, prior to forwarding recommendations to sanctuary management. The recommendations do not reflect the views of the full council, the sanctuary, the State of Hawai'i, or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

As a courtesy to the public, working group recommendation reports are available for download prior to the council meeting in January 2012. All working group reports are listed in alphabetical order below.  For more information contact Joseph.Paulin@noaa.gov.

Climate Change Working Group Report (352 KB)
Ecosystem Protections Working Group Report (524 KB)
Enforcement Working Group Report (296 KB)
Humpback Whale Protections Working Group Report (1MB)
Maritime Heritage Working Group Report (188 KB)
Native Hawaiian Culture Working Group Report (392 KB)
Ocean Literacy Working Group Report (240 KB)
Offshore Development Working Group Report (1.6MB)
Water Quality Working Group Report (620 KB)

HOW TO PROVIDE INPUT

Talk with your Sanctuary Advisory Council constituent representative prior to the January 17-18 council
meeting.  A list of council members can be found here:

http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/management/council_members.html

Thank you for your continued support! 

A #Honua 12 Days of Christmas

Aloha kakou,

Inspired by the response to our effort to raise awareness about and funds for @LanakilaPacific and their Meals on Wheels program through Twitter, we're doing it again.

Over the next 12 days (until noon on Christmas Eve), for every new Twitter follower to @HonuaConsulting we will donate $1 to @IHSHonolulu (up to $500). As a leading agency that provides assistance to the homeless, we believe IHS's mission is one we should all be supporting. You can learn more about this incredible program at www.ihshawaii.org

Some have asked: why would an environmental company be donating to human services programs?

The answer is simple: we believe it is near impossible for people be to concerned about environmental issues when they don't have food or a home. As much as we love animals and nature, in this company, we put ensuring that people have the basic necessities of life first. This means working so our kupuna have food; children receive basic nutrition, education and medical care; and that everyone has somewhere safe and warm to be on Christmas.

So how can you help?

1. Become a follower if you're not
2. Share the message if you're a follower (and not just on Twitter, share it on Facebook, Google+, whatever social media you use)
3. Donate yourself if you can

This isn't just about increasing followers, this is about increasing awareness. We want to increase awareness about the need to give to programs like Lanakila Pacific and IHS. We want people to understand that social media can be used to make their communities a better place.

We believe in the power of people. We also believe that people are good and that their goodness shines brightest when given the opportunity to help others.

We just want to do all we can to help people have a good Christmas, and we're asking you to help.

Aloha Kalikimaka,


kehau

Trisha Kehaulani Watson, JD, PhD
Owner, Honua Consulting

TEK Primer

Aloha Aina Primer OAT