Ka`u News Briefs Friday, July 26, 2013

GOV. NEIL ABERCROMBIE HAS SIGNED THE 2013 Hawai`i Ocean Resources Management Plan, which brings county, state and federal partners together to ensure the sustainable use and conservation of Hawai`i’s ocean and coastal resources for current and future generations. 

      The plan was developed with the participation of county, state and federal agencies responsible for ocean and coastal resources. It identifies 11 management priorities for the next five years and pathways for achieving goals:

1. Appropriate Coastal Development – “addresses issues … including coastal hazards (including sea level rise), historic resources, coastal ecosystems and Hawai`i’s economy for current and future generations;” 
2. Management of Coastal Hazards – lists disaster avoidance measures including “institutional and governmental measures to reduce risks from coastal hazards;” 
3. Watershed Management – focuses on “the health of the water supply, allowing for water recharge, and preserving good water quantity entails taking care of the watersheds;” 
4. Marine Resources – protection focuses on control of marine debris and aquatic invasive species; 
5. Coral Reef – focuses on threats such as land-based sources of pollution, including sediment, nutrients, cesspools, sewer treatment plant overflow, road run-off, grounded vessels and climate change; 
6. Ocean Economy – “Hawai`i’s economy is dependent on the health of the ocean;” 
7. Cultural Heritage of the Ocean – focuses on Native Hawaiian access and gathering rights as “protected by state laws and 
by the State of Hawai‘i constitution. These laws also require all state and county agencies to affirmatively protect and enforce these rights;” 
8. Training, Education and Awareness – considers classes in environmental literacy, public education and outreach materials and programs and youth are involved in ocean resource management; 
9. Collaboration and Conflict Resolution – suggests increasing partnerships and collaborations for effective and efficient conservation efforts in the Hawaiian Islands; 
10. Community and Place-Based Ocean Management Projects – active involvement of community members who work to restore part of an ecosystem and begin to monitor and watch that ecosystem. The report lists Honu`apo Bay in Ka`u as an example; 
11. National Ocean Policy and Pacific Regional Ocean Initiatives – focuses on improving spatial information on the condition of the oceans and creating a marine spatial plan for the Pacific Islands Region. 

Map of main Hawaiian Islands marine managed areas from Hawai`i Ocean Resources Management Plan.

      “The 11 management priorities address resource management challenges that can only be achieved through a statewide, coordinated effort among various government and community partners,” said Jesse Souki, director of the state Office of Planning. “It addresses some of the greatest challenges of our time, including the impacts of climate change and balancing economic, cultural and environmental considerations to ensure sustainable stewardship of our resources.”
      Tracking the success of the plan will be coordinated with the state Office of Information Management and Technology to take advantage of the state’s data.hawaii.gov portal.
      The Office of Planning is responsible for coordinating the periodic update of the plan pursuant to Hawai`i Revised Statutes sections 205A-62 and 225M-2(b)(6). The project leverages federal funding through the Hawai`i Coastal Zone Management Program.
      To learn more about the plan and download a copy, visit planning.hawaii.gov or call the Office of Planning at 808-587-2846.

ORGANIZERS OF THE PROPOSED PAHALA LEARNING ACADEMY plan to update prospective parents on the their plans at a spaghetti dinner tomorrow at 4 p.m. at the Pahala Hongwanji campus. One of the organizers, Ross Rammelmeyer, said this morning that the group will be working toward an online learning and mentoring center to begin to establish a Learning Academy somewhere in Ka`u.