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COUNTY OF HAWAII STATE OF HAWAII
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RESOLUTION NO. 16'7 R>:~
A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF COMPLETE AND PERMANENT PROTECTION
OF THE NORTHWESTERN HAWAIIAN ISLANDS ECOSYSTEM.
WHEREAS, the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) are the most remote, large-
scale coral reef ecosystem on earth; and
WHEREAS, the N WHI are of great significance in Hawaiian culture and history; and
WHEREAS, the cold waters of the NWHI and the limited nutrient cycling make the
NWHI ecosystem fragile; and
WHEREAS, the NWHI must be able to provide adequate support to endemic, rare,
threatened, and endangered species including:
• Hawaiian monk seals,
• Green, Hawksbill, and Leatherback marine turtles,
• migratory sea birds,
• ancient coral colonies, and
• fish populations, many of which are depleted from the waters of the main Hawaiian
Islands; and
WHEREAS, the NWHI Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve (Reserve) was created by federal
Executive Order 13178 dated December 4, 2000, as amended by federal Executive Order 13196
dated January 18. 2001; and
WHEREAS, the National Marine Sanctuazy Program has initiated the process to
designate the Reserve as a National Marine Sanctuary under the National Marine Sanctuaries Act
to secure comprehensive protection and enhance public awareness of resources within the
Reserve; and
WHEREAS, public input has demanded the strongest possible protections for this
special place, including the creation of a fully protected Refuge in State waters of the NWHI;
and
WHEREAS, such a Refuge reflects public-input by guaranteeing Native Hawaiian
cultural, religious, and subsistence practices, while prohibiting all commercial and recreational
fishing in the state waters of the NWHI; and
WHEREAS, consistent and complementary regulation is essential throughout both the
State and federal waters in the NWH] to ensure this special place is completely protected; and
`dd'IIEREAS, consistent and complementary regulation is essential throughout both the
State and federal waters in the NWHI to ensure this special place is completely protected; and
S3'IIEREAS, Congressional legislation is the paramount means of guaranteeing complete
and permanent protection of the entire NWHI ecosystem; and
~'IIEREAS, a National Marine Sanctuary protecting the NWHI ecosystem would
benefit Hawai`i's international reputation for ocean protection by creating the largest marine
protected area in the world.
NOS', TIIEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the County of Hawaii
that leaders at all levels of government are urged to advocate. U.S. Congressional action that
permanently and completely protects the NWHI, by prohibiting all commercial activities, while
protecting Native Hawaiian cultural, religious, and subsistence practices, and allowing only
limited and appropriate scientific and educational activities in the NWHI.
BF,' IT FURTIIER RESOLVED by the Council of the County of Hawaii to support
immediate administrative action by the National Marine Sanctuary Program to prohibit all
extractive uses in the proposed federal sanctuary in the NWHI, while protecting the traditional
and cultural practices in the area.
SE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that a certified copy of this resolution be sent to the
Governor of the State of Hawaii, Hawai`i's Congressional Relegation to the U.S. Congress, the
Chief Administrator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the
Chairperson of the Council on Environmental Quality.
Dated at Hilo , Hawaii, this 5th day of October , 2005.
INTRODL~C~F,D-~~ _ .
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COUNCIL IBER, COUNTY OF HAWAII
COUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL VOTE
County of Hawaii AYES Nobs ABS Ex
Hilo, 1-Iawai`i ARAKAKI
HIG.A X
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by HOFFMANN
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUIvTCIL of the HOLSCHUH
County of Hawaii on October 5 , 200 5 X
[KEDA X
ISBELL
ATTEST: JACOBSON X
PILAGO X
SAFARIK X
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f Reference: C-442.1
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRMAN & PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO. r~ U;~
(Draft 2 )