Speak out for the NW Hawaiian Islands 6/19

[Mitzi M]

Hey everybody,

Tomorrow, Thursday June 19th, there will be a public hearing on the Papahanaumokuakea (NWHI) Monument Draft Management Plan. It's going to be at the Mokupapapa Discovery Center, right there at Bayfronts in Hilo from 5:30-8PM. That's a lot more "papas" than I usually type in a day but its worth it because this is a really important time to speak out. At first glance, it looks like these pristine coral reef habitats have been protected by being designated as a monument - but it ain't so. Among other things, this management plan would promote tourism, allow unlimited military maneuvers and more research permits. None of it sounds too awful until you find out how incredibly sensitive this place is to anything we humans might accidentally bring along in ship's bilges, clothing, shoes etc. The potential for major screw up is enormous. Also, the agencies involved have not exacly rolled out the red carpet to public involvement so far. Here's your chance to speak your mind! You can also submit written comments and/or sign a petition to incorporate a citizen's advisory council, incorporate the State refuge as an equal partner, perpetuate Hawaiian culture in the process and conduct an impact study before increasing traffic at this link:

http://www.kahea.org/

Actually, tonight, the 18th, there's a hearing in Kona at the Kona Beach Hotel at 5:50, so if you're on the west side, check that one out. I just recenlty learned that there are only around 1100 Hawaiian Monk Seals left with us, and their numbers are declining. Most of them live in the NWHI. For their sake speak out and tell your friends!

Aloha,
Mitzi

[Les C]

For what it's worth, I can can vouch for the richness of this area. About 8 years ago, I was fortunate to stay on Midway Atoll for 4 days in November when the Laysan and Black-footed Albatross return for their winter breeding season. The density of birdlife is incredible! Midway has the largest albatross colony in the world! (The Black-browed Albatross in the Falkland Islands have the second largest colony, I think.) There's something about the deep water coral that attracts the monk seals, and the green sea turtles abound there. This is an unbelievably special place.

Laysan Ducks were recently introduced to Midway from Laysan Island and their breeding success has been a great story. These ducks, which subfossil evidence shows were on the major islands, are now only found on two islands of the NWHI archipelago.

Here are some great videos taken recently at Midway by one of the plant survey team members:

http://www.hear.org/temp/starr/birds/midway/videos/

The first video is wonderfully reminiscent of what it's like there when the albatross are in town. We stayed in the converted barracks in the background.

[frankiestapleton]

Aloha, All....

Back a coupla years ago when 1st Lady Laura Bush was publicized calling for the NWHI as a national monument and it became law quicker than anything I've ever seen happen in government, I was pleasantly surprised but thought to myself how out of character it was for the Bush Administration.

It's only been since reading Joan Conrow's Honolulu Weekly article reprinted in the Hawaii Island Journal in April (link: http://hawaiiislandjournal.com/2008/0412a.html ) that I recognized the KenRovian mindset behind the action.

Conrow pointed out NWHI is the nation's first marine monument... Which makes me wonder why are other special marine areas designated "sanctuaries" as opposed to a "monument" as the NWHI were? Higher levels of protection, perhaps?

Those of you who care about our oceans and its inhabitants, please read Conrow's article and turn out for tonight's hearing in Hilo. []

Googling the issue brought up a recent letter to the editor in the Saipan Tribune that said an exemption, spelled out in Presidential Proclamation 8031, was given to the U.S. military in complying with NWHI Monument regulations. “The prohibitions required by this proclamation shall not apply to activities and exercises of the Armed Forces (including those carried out by the United States Coast Guard) that are consistent with applicable laws,” John Gourley quoted in the June 6, 2008 Saipan Tribune.

He added: "The U.S. military exemption is also repeated in Section 404.9 in the NWHI Monument regulations (FR Vol. 71, No. 167; page 51138)." (So military exemption is actually provided for in the Monument's regulations, according to Gourley.)

"Interestingly, a recent article (March 19-25, 2008) in the Honolulu Weekly, titled National Monument, watery grave?, described the public outcry from Hawaiian environmental groups when they learned the military was planning to use NWHI Monument waters for training exercises. They apparently didn't pay attention to the regulatory details in the rush to get the NWHI Marine Sanctuary designated as a national monument."

Now, Gourley's comments in the Saipan Tribune are not in defense of conservation of NWHI but as a warning to U.S. citizens who want in on the current development of the Marianas. Hence, this followup by Gourley: "The second exemption by far is the most perplexing to me. There is a legal exemption at ’404.12 (page 51140) in the NWHI Monument regulations that state: “These regulations shall be applied in accordance with international law. No restrictions shall apply to or be enforced against a person who is not a citizen, national, or resident alien of the United States (including foreign flag vessels) unless in accordance with international law.”

Thank you all for your attention to this issue. Hopefully I'm posting enough basic info here to fuel commentary for tonight's public hearing.

Malama pono, y'all

[Lopi T]

Those are really cool videos, Les! Thanks for posting those. Being there must have been a really cool experience.

"It's not who you are underneath, but what you do that defines you"