Ka‘ū News Briefs, Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Brian Neilson, of the Dept. of Aquatic Resources atstate Dept. of Land & Natural Resources, led the public hearings on Wednesday concerning Miloli'i. Kaimi Kaupiko was one of many who supported rules that set regulations for fishing. Image from Zoom public hearing.

A GREAT MAJORITY OF TESTIFIERS SUPPORTED PROPOSED MILOI'I COMMUNITY-BASED SUBSISTENCE FISHING AREA rules, which could soon be established with final approval of the state Board of Natural Resources, the Attorney General and Gov. David Ige. Two public hearings were held on Wednesday, one by zoom, and the other in person at the Miloli'i Pavilion. Much testimony was given about the importance of scientific data and local knowledge of fishermen and other community members who have taken care of the reef and the fish population for many generations.
    The hearing was led by Brian Neilson, of the state Department of Aquatic Resources. Ka'imi Kaupiko, who heads up the community organization Kamalani, which worked with agencies, other non-profits and the community to come up with proposed regulations, said, "This is our time and our promise to the 

Leivallyn Ka`upu pointed to the increase in development and tourists who impact natural resources.

kupuna," referring to the rules being created from knowledge of stewarding the nearshore waters, handed down in the community of Miloli'i for generations. He described Miloli'i as not only the last Hawaiian fishing village, but also "one of the last of its kind," with "little in the way of material wealth and modern amenities." He said people live simple and noted that much of the demographics remain - native Hawaiian with fishing a main occupation.
    U'ilani Naipo, like Kaupiko, described herself as a lineal descendent of the place, where many generations of stewards continued to feed and maintain the fish population, with their traditional and customary protection standards. "Miloli'i is our home, our piko; we malama this place and feed our people," she said. She and others asked for more protection in the proposed 86 mile long Community Based Subsistence Fishing Area, to include a ban on fishing for certain species until they can recover their populations.

Miranda Steed, of Lana'i, was one of many  supporters from other fishing communities who supported the Miloli'i effort.

     Leivallyn Ka'upu said she has seen a huge increase in development and tourists who "impact our natural resources." She noted that the possibility of designation of protections for the Fishing Area came up in 2005 and asked that no more time to go by before the rules are finalized. She and others talked about not just saving marine species but striving for "recovery of their abundance."
    Another speaker noted that Miloli'i was known for weaving sennet rope and that its waters are where marine life thrives in the meeting of swirling currents from Kona and from the south.
    Charles Young, a fisherman from Kealia, said he and his three children all learned from Miloli'i fishermen who taught them to "take for your family's table and leave plenty for the rest of us." He said it will take more rules for the fish to recover at Miloli'i.                 Another speaker, Kawika Winter, gave his entire testimony in Hawaiian. A number of speakers gave parts of their testimony in Hawaiian.

Charles Young, of Kealia, thanked the fishermen of Miloli'i for teaching him and his family.

    Speakers from other  islands, from Lana'i, Moloka'i, Maui and Ha'ena on Kaua'i threw their support behind the Miloli'i proposal. Testimony contended that Ha'ena has shown through scientific data that protection of the fishing area with seasonal off-limits, bag limits 
and other no-take rules, increased the fish population.
   A number of speakers said Miloli'i residents and their knowledge have helped to establish Subsistence Fishing Areas elsewhere. Mahina Poepoe, of Moloka'i said she supports Miloli'i's "incredible efforts put into the development, outreach and advocacy," in developing its plan. "We are beginning to restore a future of abundance for the next generation," She described the efforts across the state as "more together than separate," and said creating the Subsistance Fishing Areas is "like making a patchwork quilt.

U'ilani Naipo was one of the lineal descendants in Miloli'i supporting the fishing rules.

She also said, "Progress can be regress," including going back to the ocean and traditional practices of of the past - "that's progress." She said that with climate change and the geopolitical situation, including war, restoration of resources needs to move quickly. "We don't have time to pander and placate to commercial self interests."
    Billy Kinney, an urban planning student from Hanalei, talked about the return of "inspired, empowered and equipped community members." He also welcomed settler allies, partners, co-conspirators and new maka'iana'a who have joined in the movement to restore marine resources.
    See more in the Thursday Kaʻū News Briefs. Go to the following links to view or download: