LIHUE — George Thompson, owner of Fathom Five Divers in Koloa, has been chosen to represent Kauai as an advisory council member for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. “I want to do the best job that I
LIHUE — George Thompson, owner of Fathom Five Divers in Koloa, has been chosen to represent Kauai as an advisory council member for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.
“I want to do the best job that I possibly can for both sides,” he said.
By “both sides,” Thompson refers to the environment and the community, rather than the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the community.
“The environment here is spectacular and beautiful,” he said. “I want to protect it, but also make sure the needs of the community here are heard by NOAA.”
Thompson is one of eight primary, non-governmental members appointed to the position last month. He will serve a two-year term, with Nina Monasevitch, chair of Kohola Leo (or Whale Voice), as his alternate.
“The Sanctuary Advisory Council connects community and stakeholder groups with the sanctuary management team,” Sanctuary Superintendent Malia Chow said in a release. “It serves a very important role in helping to engage communities as we continue our management plan review process.”
The volunteer council members meet several times per year in public sessions and represent local user groups and the public at large.
Thompson said he believes there is a lot of misinformation circulating about the sanctuary and its intentions — perhaps the biggest being to limit public access.
“I haven’t seen that they’re actually trying to limit access,” he said, adding that his big concern is making sure the community has correct information.
His job will be to gather facts and bring them back to Kauai, as well as provide recommendations and bring public concerns to the attention of the sanctuary management.
“I’m going to try to represent the community as best I can,” he said. “I really want to make this as positive as possible, for both sides.”
Established in 1996, the community-based advisory council consists of 53 government and non-government representatives from Molokai, Lanai, Kauai, Hawaii, Maui and Oahu, as well as local user groups, cultural advisors, fishing, business, conservation, science, education and community representatives.
Prior to Thompson, Sharon Pomroy was the advisory council member for Kauai County. James Yamamoto served as her alternate.
The sanctuary encompasses approximately 1,200 square miles of coastal and ocean waters and works to protect the winter breeding, calving and nursing range of the largest Pacific population of the endangered humpback whale. It is jointly managed by a partnership between NOAA and the State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Thompson said he is excited for the opportunity to serve the island and will work toward finding a balance.
“I think we can keep everything protected and accessible.”
Thompson is a 30-year resident of Kauai, a licensed boat captain and a staff instructor for the Professional Association of Diving Instructors.
“I’ve dealt with the ocean for many, many years,” he said. “It is my love.”
The Sanctuary Advisory Council will meet Aug. 7 in Honolulu.
