Management Plan Review

Overview

The sanctuary was designated by an act of Congress in 1992 as a single-species sanctuary to protect humpback whales and their habitat. The purposes and policies of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA, 16 U.S.C. 1434(e)) requires NOAA to periodically review and evaluate the implementation of management plans and goals for each national marine sanctuary. Accordingly, NOAA must revise management plans and regulations as necessary to ensure that national marine sanctuaries continue to best conserve, protect, and enhance nationally significant living and cultural resources. The current management plan review began in 2010, and this process will result in a new management plan for the sanctuary. The target for completing a draft revised management plan is early 2013, and a final revised plan is targeted for completion in 2014. The management plan review process will help to evaluate gaps in existing marine conservation efforts in Hawai'i, and identify potential roles for the sanctuary in future management. No final decisions have been made and there continues to be many opportunities for public engagement. Read more information about the management plan review.

Please scroll over the graphic below to learn more about the different steps of the management plan review and associated reports and documents.

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Management Plan Review Documents
View management plan review documents, including background information, reports, newsletters, and more.

Management Plan Review FAQ's
Find out more about the sanctuary's management plan review process.

Management Plan Review 2002
Learn more about the sanctuary's management plan review that took place in 2002.

For more information, please contact us at hihwmanagementplan@noaa.gov or call (808) 397-2651.