Mounting Support for Monument Expansion

Cultural practitioners, ocean advocates, and scientists have come together once again to urge the President to better protect the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.  Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM) was established in 2006 by presidential proclamation, recognizing the immense importance of this remote area to the health of oceans around Hawaiʻi and around the world.  This unique designation was built upon years of grassroots protection efforts at the state and federal level.  Now, we have the opportunity to expand these protections to those areas of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands that were left off the original map. “Protecting this region of Hawai‘i’s ocean is a perfect example of thinking globally and acting locally,” said Marti Townsend, Director for the Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi.  “We know that climate change is already having a significant effect on our oceans.”  Currently, only about 2% of our oceans are fully protected, though scientists are calling for the protection of at least 30% of our oceans to ensure healthy and functioning ecosystems.  Expanding PMNM now helps to ensure Hawaiʻi’s oceans and our unique ocean-based culture will thrive for generations to come.”Critics of the expansion “argue that these protections will unfairly restrict Hawaii-based longliners from fishing the area.”  But supporters say the expansion will benefit them in the long run.  “With decades of close study, we know marine protected areas are the best mechanism to provide fish for the future.   This is one of the best things we can do for food security in the state,” said Dr. Richard Pyle, Zoologist in Ichthyology at Bishop Museum.The current proposal is to expand Papahānaumokuākea from 50 nautical miles to the 200 nautical mile limit of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands exclusive economic zone, with exception for the waters surrounding Kauaʻi and Niʻihau to allow for continued access by small boat fishermen.“A huge part of Papahānaumokuākea is underwater.  When you go there, you have to shift your mindset from one that may be land dominated, to one that is sea dominated.  And it changes everything about how you’re experiencing the world,” said Kekuewa Kikiloi, Chair of the Native Hawaiian Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Cultural Working Group.Public support for expanding PMNM is mounting, with more than 100,000 people signing an online petition in support and more than 200 letters submitted to various public officials.  Public hearings on the expansion are scheduled for August 1st at 5PM at the Filipino Community Center on O‘ahu (94-428 Mokuola St #302, Waipahu, HI 96797).  And, on August 2nd at 4PM at the Kaua‘i Community College Performing Arts Center (3-1901 Kaumuali‘i Hwy, Līhu‘e, Hawai‘i 96766).  You can learn more, take action, and get involved by visiting: http://expandpmnm.com/take-action/