Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 27, Number 11, 1 November 2010 — Papahānaumokuākea earns world listing [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Papahānaumokuākea earns world listing

Papahānaumokuākea Marine Nahonal Monument was designated a mixed - natural and cultural - World Heritage site, one of only 27 mixed sites in the world, on Iuly 30, 2010, at the 34th session of the WorldHeritage Committee in Brazil. "The designation elevates the site to a more intemational prominence," said OHA Chairperson Haunani Apoliona, who witnessed the vote firsthand. "This group of governments from across the world meets on the World Heritage sites and tracks what happens to the sites, paying attention to their health, wellbeing and the strength of eaeh of these sites, so that they are cared for properly and in perpetuity." Apohona was a part of an OHA delegation that traveled to Brazil in Iuly, where they lobbied all the world delegates on the conunittee. "Delegates from various countries eame to congratulate the United States of America and all of us who traveled from Hawai'i," she said. "They advised me our physieal presence made all the difference." The management of the Monument remains the same as when it was set up by Presidential Proclamation in 2006. Under the Co-Trustees and the management board of Papahānaumokuākea, the regulations and restrictions will not change, and access will continue to be strictly limited and will be by pennit only. The three Co-Tmstees are the State of Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources, the U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Department of Conunerce Nahonal Oeeanie and Atmospheric Administration - along with OH A, whieh is a Co-Manager with the Co-Tmstees. Eaeh promised to safeguard the site, stating that they would take all appropriate measures necessary for the protection, conservation and preservation of the Monument and its resources. The Papahānaumokuākea Native Hawaiian Cultural Working Group advises on cultural and management questions about the Monument, and is administered by OHA. For more infonnation, visit http://papahanaumokuakea.gov. — Francine Murray I

'llioholoikauau (Hawaiian monk seal) and ulua at Kure Aloll. - Photo : CourtesyofN0M, Copyright: James Watt; SeaPics