Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 28, Number 1, 1 January 2011 — Hundreds gather to celebrate Papahānaumokuākea milestones [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hundreds gather to celebrate Papahānaumokuākea milestones

By Lisa Asato Hundreds of government officials, scientists, conservation managers and other stakeholders gathered in Honolulu on Dec. 3 to mark two milestones in the history

of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument - including its designation this summer as a World Heritage site. "We now have World Heritage to protect Papahānaumokuākea - and not that there's any new regulation or any new authorities, because there's not - but because the globe has deemed her worthy of status among the giants and will expect the people of the United States and the people of Hawai'i to do all that we ean to keep the outstanding universal values of the plaee intact for all humankind," 'Aulani Wilhelm,

Nahonal Oeeanie and Atmospheric Administration Superintendent for Papahānaumokuākea, told some 400 attendees at the Hawai'i Convention Center. Papahānaumokuākea Marine Nahonal Monument was designated a "mixed" - natural and cultural - World

Heritage site by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in July, joining the ranks of the Great Wall of China, the pyramids of Giza and the Great Barrier Reef. The evening celebration also eommemorated the 10th anniversary of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve, established by President Bill Clinton. The Reserve, at the time the largest nature preserve ever established in the United States, has since heeome a part of SEE MILESTONES ON PAGE 22

The group gathers around the wa'a hanauna. - Photos: UsaAsato

Philippe Kridelka of UNESC0, on left, presents the World Heritage inscription plaque to Tom Strickland of the U.S. lnterior Department.

MILESTONES

Continued from page 6 Papahānaumokuākea Marine Nahonal Monument, whieh was created by President George Bush in 2006. Clinton, upon hearing of the eelebration, had sent a congratulatory letter to those involved, whieh Wilhelm read aloud: "When I signed the Executive Order in December 2000, I did so proudly knowing our actions would protect close to 140,000 square miles of vibrant and diverse habitats. Perhaps more incredibly, the groundbreaking model developed here has extended far beyond the Reserve boundaries to set a worldwide standard for marine wildlife protection." "I'm proud to have been part of this effort, and I join you in thanking President George Bush for designating this as the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument." The festivities included speeches by federal and loeal officials - including then-OHA Chairperson Haunani Apoliona - entertainment, oli inspired by visits to Papahānaumokuākea by Kumu Hula Hōkūlani Holt-Padilla and Keali'i Reichel, a short video by Palikū Documentary Films, centerpieces by Hui Ku Maoli Ola featuring greenery that ean be found in Papahānaumokuākea, the presentation of the World Heritage inscription plaque and the unveiling of a wood carving by McD Philpotts of a wa'a hanauna, or generational eanoe. Echoing the statements of other speakers, Tom Strickland, U.S. Interior Department Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, said the Monument's inscription underscores the spirit of how nations must work together to achieve conservation. "Only as a global community ean we take care of this interconnected planet," he said. "The natural, cultural and historic treasures of one nation are also truly the treasures of all nations and all peoples." Unveiling the wood carving of the wa'a, Strickland said, "May it stand as a symbol of our commitment to conserve this great monument for future generations to enjoy and to

cherish." In a speech, Haunani Apoliona, then-OHA Chairperson of OHA, whieh is a Co-Manager of the Monument along with the three Co-Trustees: the U.S. Commerce Department, National Oeeanie and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Interior Department and State of Hawai'i, Department of Land and Natural Resources said the eanoe "symbolizes the seamless, unbreakable bond between the natural and supernatural, the purposeful voyaging of our ancestors throughout the vast Paeihe, and our continued eommon Paeihe heritage of navigation and voyaging. "Vertically, the wa'a forms represent our generational voyage to perpetuate our culture and the environment that sustains us," she said. "Horizontally, the carving on eaeh level of this pieee is a traditional Hawaiian pattern that represents the human form with outstretched arms, symbolizing a unified eommunity. These horizontal arms then support eaeh succeeding generation vertically. The pattern represents the multitude of generations - of whieh we are but one - the most recent in a long line of caretakers who set the foundation of how to mālama (care for) Papahānaumokuākea. We must sail together in the wake of our ancestors and ensure that this tradition of stewardship for Papahānaumokuākea is perpetuated." Apoliona added: "The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has the privilege and responsibility - the kuleana - to better the conditions for all Native Hawaiians throughout our archipelago. To do so, we also must better the conditions of the archipelago itself. Our management role for Papahānaumokuākea has allowed for the voices of today's Native Hawaiians - as well as those of our ancestors and our unhom grandchildren - to be heard and recognized. "We appreciate the partnerships that have been built. We value the global recognition of this portion of our spiritually, biologically, historically and culturally significant Hawaiian archipelago. We will eontinue to seek to elevate our role, so that the host culture of Papahānaumokuākea will be recognized as true Trustees of their own homeland." ■