REPORT FROM NOAA – Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary announced six primary and two alternate non-governmental members to serve on its sanctuary advisory council. The new appointees bring a valuable range of experience to the council, which provides sanctuary managers with input and recommendations on sanctuary programs and management.
Serving in a volunteer capacity, the council members meet several times per year in public sessions, and represent a variety of local user groups, as well as the general public. Non-governmental sanctuary advisory council primary and alternate members serve two-year terms. All new members will be seated at the next council meeting.
The newly appointed advisory council members are as follows, by position:
- Citizen-at-Large:James Eldon Coon
- Conservation:Barbara Maka‘ala Ka‘aumoana
- Lana‘i island:Solomon Kaho‘ohalahala
- Moloka‘i island:Walter Ritte
- Ocean Recreation:Douglass Cole
- Research Alternate:Mark Henry Deakos
- Youth:John Bradley Taschner
- Youth Alternate:Clarissa Marie Honeker
Other non-governmental council seats with members continuing terms represent business/commerce, education, fishing, tourism, Native Hawaiian, Hawaii, Honolulu, Kauai, and Maui.
“The Sanctuary Advisory Council connects community and stakeholder groups with the sanctuary management team,” said Malia Chow, sanctuary superintendent. “It serves a very important role in helping to engage communities as we continue our management plan review process.”
Established in 1996, the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council provides advice and recommendations on managing and protecting the sanctuary. The council is composed of government and non-governmental seats for a total of 53 representatives.
The sanctuary is administered by a partnership of NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and the State of Hawai‘i through the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR). The sanctuary works to protect humpback whales through research, education, conservation and stewardship. Join us on Facebook.
DLNR’s mission is to enhance, protect, conserve and manage Hawaii’s unique and limited natural, cultural and historic resources held in public trust for current and future generations of visitors and the people of Hawai‘i nei. Join us on Facebook.
NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth’s environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Join us on Facebook, Twitter and our other social media channels.
On the Web:
Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary: https://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov
NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries: https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov
State of Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/