Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 33, Number 7, 1 July 2016 — NATIVE HAWAIIAN NEWS FEATURES EVENTS Schatz asks Obama to expand marine monument [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

NATIVE HAWAIIAN NEWS FEATURES EVENTS Schatz asks Obama to expand marine monument

By Ka Wai Ola Staff Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM) could heeome the world's largest marine protected area, if President Ohama accepts the recommendation of U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz. Schatz sent a proposal to the president that would expand the monument surrounding the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands to 582,578 square miles, more than four times its current size. The proposal, whieh reflects input from stakeholders across the state, would also protect existing fishing areas for Kaua'i and Ni'ihau residents and elevate the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to co-trustee status. "The best available science indicates that expanding the PMNM will strengthen an eeosystem that sustains tuna, swordfish, sharks, seabirds, sea turtles and Hawaiian monk seals," Schatz wrote in his recommendation. "The expanded region contains significant biocultural resources and archaeological sites that further justify the use of the Antiquities Act." Within the coming months, President Ohama is expected to decide whether to use the 1906 Antiquities Act to unilaterally expand the monument, whieh was created 10 years ago by then-President George W. Bush.

As a co-trustee, OHA would be on equal footing with the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Department of the Interior and the State of

Hawai'i. Kamana'opono Crabbe, OHA's Ka Pouhana, thanked the senator for recommending the agency have an elevated status, whieh is in line

with a position recently adopted by OHA's Board of Trustees. "We thank him for his recognition of the need to protect the cultural and environmental assets within the monument," Crabbe said in a statement. "The monument is a special plaee for Native Hawaiians. By becoming a co-trustee, OHA will ensure that Native Hawaiian interests are represented at all levels of management of the monument." In honor of PMNM's 10th anniversary, Gov. David Ige declared June

15 Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument Day in Hawai'i. He also offered input on Schatz's recommendation. "Like the Polynesians who first settled these islands, we ean halanee the management of this unique natural habitat and its historic artifacts with the needs of the human population," Ige stated. "Sen. Schatz has addressed many of the concerns I've heard about the expansion of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument and has proposed reasonable accommodations for loeal fishers who are helping to feed our families. I look forward to the puhlie process as it moves forward." The monument is home to more than 7,000 marine and terrestrial species, many of whieh are found nowhere else on earth. The protected area is home to at least 90 percent of the remaining Hawaiian monk seals and Hawaiian green turtles, as well as a number of native seabirds. ■

The best available science indicates that expanding the PMNM will strengthen an ecosystem that sustains tuna, swordfish, sharks, seabirds, sea turtles and Hawaiian monk seals." — U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz

Hikianalia at Nihoa, the largest of the uninhabited Northwestern Hawaiian lslands. More than 80 cultural sites have been found on the island, whieh was believed to be home to as many as 1 75 people between A.D. 1 000 and A.D. 1 700. - Photo: 'Oiwi TV/Kaipo Kī'aha

The 'lwa, or frigate bird, is one of the 22 seabird species that breed and nest nt Pnnnhnnnumokunken. - Photo: Brad Kaale-

leo Wong

The Hikianalia crew performs an oli at Nihoa. - Photo: 'Oiwi TV/Kaipo Ki 'aha