A dangerous pattern of disseminating disinformation must end. The most recent case involves a handful of concerned citizens spreading myths about the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary’s management plan review process. We have heard residents propagating rumors ranging
A dangerous pattern of disseminating disinformation must end.
The most recent case involves a handful of concerned citizens spreading myths about the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary’s management plan review process.
We have heard residents propagating rumors ranging from the federal government’s plan to ban offshore fishing statewide and prohibit snorkeling and surfing in some areas to NOAA holding secret meetings regarding new rules to outlaw fishing completely during whale season and put an end to tour boat companies operating in Hawaiian waters.
These allegations are false. The truth is the management plan review is so early in the process that no concrete proposals have even been formulated.
We can appreciate fishermen and tour boat operators becoming emotionally involved with an issue that could threaten their livelihoods. We can also understand their possible distrust of government at large.
But passing off such misinformation as fact — creating a public frenzy over nothing at this point — is a perilous path to pursue.
After pouring over numerous NOAA documents and speaking to federal officials about the Sanctuary’s plans, we have learned and reported that the Sanctuary is only in a listening stage right now.
The goal at present is to gather public input on the future direction and scope of the Sanctuary.
The only actual proposal on the table right now is a vision statement, which suggests the Sanctuary “expand its scope and direction to protect and conserve other living marine resources and submerged cultural heritage resources, in addition to humpback whales, within the Sanctuary.” And NOAA wants feedback on that paragraph too.
As far as that goes, we suggest the Sanctuary adopt a vision statement more in line with what was stated in the 2002 HIHWNMS management plan. To that end, we propose this as the future vision:
“As a community of ocean stewards, the Sanctuary strives to achieve a balance of appropriate uses, inspired care-taking, enlightened understanding, and effective education to ensure the continued vitality of the kohola and other critical marine resources for future generations. The Sanctuary endeavors to do this with harmony, hope, respect and aloha o ke kai while enhancing the economy, natural environment and cultural connections.”
The four-year management plan review timetable calls for a 90-day public scoping period, which started in July and ended Saturday, followed by a year-long action plan development, then an 18-month draft management plan and EIS, then a five-month public comment period, four months to consider those comments and six months to finalize the plan.
The comments will be summarized over the next few months and posted online. The Sanctuary also expects to finalize a list of priority issues by year’s end.
And if simply sharing your input with the officials developing the plan is not enough, residents have an opportunity to become more directly involved in the process. Applications are being accepted until Dec. 1 for anticipated openings on the National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council. The next SAC meeting is in December. Call 808-397-2651 ext. 257 or visit hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov for more details.
Some species may be added under the protection of the Sanctuary. Some could be delisted. We don’t know yet. That is what the Sanctuary is trying to ascertain. That is why officials are engaging the community.
Alarming is the fact that many of the fishermen who attended the recent community meeting admitted they did not attend any of NOAA’s public scoping meetings in August to actually learn what is and is not being proposed at this time.
Staying informed is a civic responsibility. We must educate ourselves with hard facts — not rumors — before forming our opinions and providing our input.
Senselessly creating a stir over untrue claims serves no one. We can all do without unnecessary public hysteria and anxiety.
Remember earlier this year when false rumors quickly spread that a Hare Krishna woman was murdered in Kapa‘a? We must be accountable for the information we choose to promulgate.
The current Sanctuary has been in existence since 1997. Since Congress founded it in 1992, part of the plan has always been considering the addition of other marine resources. The management plan was tweaked in 2002, but until now there has been no comprehensive review.
Federal officials believe there are some conservation needs, along with some steps regarding the protection of cultural and maritime heritage sites, but they have not jumped to any foregone conclusions at this point.
Sanctuary officials have underscored that they have no intention of closing off any ocean access.
We encourage concerned community members to take a deep breath, examine the facts and then re-engage. Let’s calm the waters and approach this worthwhile process in a more productive way — one with a healthy discussion that includes specific recommendations instead of vague generalities.
We are dedicated ocean users too. We all essentially want and depend on the same thing: a healthy ocean. Let’s work collaboratively to ensure our collective success.
