LIHU‘E — From 9 a.m. to noon Saturday is the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration’s Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary informational public meeting. The meeting will be hosted at the Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School cafeteria and is part of
LIHU‘E — From 9 a.m. to noon Saturday is the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration’s Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary informational public meeting.
The meeting will be hosted at the Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School cafeteria and is part of the series of informational public meetings to launch the public engagement segment of the sanctuary’s management plan review, states a NOAA release.
“The public is encouraged to participate in these meetings that will help inform them about current sanctuary activities, the process of management plan review and how public input is integrated into design of the sanctuary management plan,” said Naomi McIntosh, sanctuary superintendent.
This series of meetings which started April 12 in Waialua, O‘ahu, provides the public with current information about the sanctuary in preparation for the public scoping meetings that will start in August.
During the public scoping meetings, public comments on management considerations will be accepted as input to the management plan review process.
The management plan review is a public process that helps the sanctuary assess current and emerging issues and concerns, bringing management practices up to date.
The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, with extensive involvement from local stakeholders, will evaluate how well the existing management plan allows the sanctuary to effectively protect resources given new needs and opportunities.
Since April 12, meetings have been held on Lanai, Maui, two areas of O‘ahu and the Big Island. The meeting in Lihu‘e will be followed by a meeting on Molokai, May 14.
Those who wish to attend the meetings are encouraged to call 1-888-55-94253, ext. 267, or e-mail hihwmanagementplan@noaa.gov to register.
Registration information is used to add additional dates if needed if the capacity at any venue is exceeded.
Visit www.hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/mprmeetings.html for more detailed information.
NOAA understands and predicts changes in the Earth’s environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and conserves and manages coastal and marine resources.
Visit www.noaa.gov or www.hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov for more information.
