INDEX - ENVIRONMENT
www.islandbreath.org ID# 0805-14

SUBJECT: NORTH WEST HAWAIIAN ISLANDS

SOURCE: CAREN DIAMOND kaimanacd22@yahoo.com

POSTED: 7 JUNE 2008 - 8:30am HST

Protect Northwestern Hawaiian Islands

image above: Map of the Northwest Hawaiian Islands from the Marine Conservation Biology Institute

Beginning next week, public hearings on the future of the NWHI are rolling out all around the islands This is it! Your voice and your comments are desperately needed to fully protect the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands!

Two years of closed-door meetings by government agencies has resulted in a new plan for the next 15 years of NWHI which detrimentally expands the human footprint in this fragile and unique 1,200-square mile marine reserve. Without your help, approval of this plan will mean construction of a "small municipality" on Midway, new cruise ships, more extractive research, and opening the NWHI to bioprospecting.

The NWHI's eight-year-old citizen's advisory council will be disbanded, and we will see new Navy missile interceptions, chemical warfare simulations and sonar activities within the NWHI without any mitigations.

Is this an appropriate vision for this sacred, fragile marine area? Please take this opportunity to learn more and tell governement officials what you think of their plans!


Attend one of the many public hearings throughout June!

All hearings are 5:30-8:30 pm (except D.C.)

June 9 (Mon) O'ahu: Wai'anae District Park
June 11 (Wed) Washington D.C. (1:00-4:00 pm)
Main Building at the Department of Interior
June 12 (Thur) Kahului: Maui Arts and Cultural Center
June 13 (Fri) Lana'i Elementary and High School
June 16 (Mon) Moloka'i: Kulana 'Oiwi Halau
June 17 (Tue) O'ahu: He'eia State Park
June 18 (Wed) Kona: King Kamehameha Hotel
June 19 (Thu) Hilo: Mokupapapa Discovery Center
June 23 (Mon) Lihu'e: Kaua'i Beach ResortJune 24 (Tue) Honolulu: Japanese
Cultural CenterJune 25 & 26 (Wed & Thur) Hawaii Kai: Reserve Advisory Council MeetingJune 27 (Fri) Honolulu: Board of Land and Natural Resources Hearing


Mahalo for your continued support and participation in the effort to ensure the strongest possible protections for the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and all of Hawai'i's public trust resources!

More Background Information:The NWHI hui has been reviewing the management plan in detail and we join with the former and current Reserve Advisory Council members, cultural practitioners, scientists, resource experts, and long-time advocates for our Kupuna Islands in their call for major changes in this Monument "development" plan.

It will take all of our voices to uphold the public's vision that there be no further human footprint on this unique wilderness. Together, we have proven that concerted public pressure can win amazing victories for this fragile and sacred place. We can do it again today! Submit your comments now and help direct management of Papahanaumokuakea over the next 15 years.


WHAT YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW:


1. Sign KAHEA's Petition to Fully Implement Protections for Papahanaumokuakea,


2. Click here to submit your own comments,


3. Send this important call to action on to all your friends and family, either by forwarding this email or by clicking here,4. Plan to attend a public hearing in your area (click to download event flyer).5. Learn more about the grassroots effort to protect the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands by clicking here.

Mahalo,
Us Guys at KAHEA
KAHEA: The Hawaiian-Environmental Alliance
kahea-alliance@hawaii.rr.com
888-528-6288 toll-free phone/fax
www.kahea.org

SUBJECT: NORTH WEST HAWIIAN ISLANDS

SOURCE: MICHAELLA MINTCHEFF misha@hawaii.rr.com

POSTED: 30 MAY 2008 - 8:00am HST

Papahanaumokuakea Marine Monument

image above: Birds flying over the North West Islands of Hawaii

No Human Footprint on the NW Hawaiian Islands
by www.kahea.org on 24 May 2008

This is it! After two years of closed-door meetings, a draft of the Papahanaumokuakea Monument Management Plan is open for public comment.  Your voice and your comments are desperately needed to fully protect the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands!  The Co-Trustees charged with protecting Papahanaumokuakea are seeking public approval for a draft management plan that proposes construction of new facilities to promote tourism, undefined and potentially invasive research projects, with no mitigations for expanded Navy activities in this sacred, fragile area.

This draft management plan does not meet the public's longstanding expectation that management of the Northwest Islands will empower Native Hawaiian decision-makers and protect Hawai'i's public trust resources for generations to come.  The plan closes the door on meaningful public participation in management decisions, continues the same flawed permitting system that has granted unlimited access to the Monument, and dumps the precautionary principle by failing to provide a true assessment of the cumulative impacts of human activities or establish a carrying capacity for the region.

This is our chance to say "No More! No more extractive research, no more tourism, no more military! No human footprint on the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands." Plan your schedule now, so you can come to the public meetings, voice your support for the strongest possible protections, and be a part of this historic effort to protect Hawai'i.

Attend one of the many public hearings throughout June!
All hearings are 5:30-8:30 pm except Washington D.C. (1:00-4:00pm)

June 9th (Mon) Waianae: Ohau Wai'anae District Park
June 11th (Wed) Washington D.C. Main Building at the Department of Interior
June 12th (Thu) Kahului: Maui Maui Arts and Cultural Center
June 13th (Fri) Lanai Lana'i Elementary and High School
June 16th (Mon) Moloka'i Kulana 'Oiwi Halau
June 17th (Tue) Heeia: Oahu He'eia State Park
June 18th (Wed) Kona: Hawaii King Kamehameha Hotel
June 19th (Thu) Hilo: Hawaii Mokupapapa Discovery Center
June 23rd (Mon) Lihue: Kauai Kaua'i Beach Resort
June 24th (Tue) Honolulu: Oahu Japanese Cultural Center
June 25th (Wed) Hawaii Kai: Oahu Reserve Advisory Council Meeting
June 25th (Thu) Hawaii Kai: Oahu Reserve Advisory Council Meeting

The NWHI hui has been reviewing the management plan in detail and we join with the former and current Reserve Advisory Council members, cultural practitioners, scientists, resource experts, and long-time advocates for our Kupuna Islands in their call for major changes in this Monument "development" plan, including:

• Establish a citizen-based Monument Advisory Council with the legal authority and responsibility to advise all three Co-Trustee agencies and oversee all management activities, including public comment on all permits to access the Monument.

• Conduct a cumulative impact & risk assessment of human activity in the Monument, prior to any proposed increases.

• Commit to perpetuating Native Hawaiian culture from the vision statement all the way through every action plan.

• Incorporate the State Refuge as an equal partner in the management of the Monument, including enforcement of state regulations, permit restrictions, and penalties for violations.?It will take a concerted public campaign to uphold the public's vision that there be no further human footprint on this unique wilderness.


WHAT YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW:
Click here www.kahea.org and learn more about the issues, sign a petition to protect NWI, and add your testimony.



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