Management Plan Review
2002 Highights

Overview
Public comments and issues
2002 Management Plan Review Documents
Other Related Documents


Overview

The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary was Congressionally designated by the Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary Act (HINMSA) on November 4, 1992 (Subtitle C of Public Law 102-587, the Oceans Act of 1992). At the time of designation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) made a commitment to the State of Hawai‘i that five years after the management plan and regulations had become effective (June 1997), NOAA, in consultation with the State of Hawai‘i, would evaluate the progress made toward implementing the management plan, regulations, and goals for the sanctuary. NOAA also agreed that after the evaluation was complete, NOAA would then resubmit the management plan and regulations in their entirety, as far as they effect State waters, to the Governor for his approval. This revised management plan is the result of the five-year evaluation submitted to the Governor for his approval.

In reviewing the original management plan in preparation for the five-year review by the National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP) and the State of Hawai‘i, it became clear that although a completely rewritten management plan was not necessary, some restructuring and revising of the document would be beneficial to the sanctuary. First, the sanctuary has accomplished many of the tasks listed in the original management plan. Second, the goals and objectives originally outlined were revised to reflect the current and future direction of the sanctuary, and the recent amendment of the NMSA. Finally, the structure of the original management plan did not follow the formats developed in the last three years for ongoing management plan reviews at other sanctuaries. Consequently, the NMSP and the State of Hawai‘i decided to revise certain parts of the original management plan and reformat the document during the five-year review.  The revised management plan guides the operations of the sanctuary for five years, helping the sanctuary set budget and project priorities each year for the preparation of its annual operating plan.



The revised management plan was written to support the sanctuary’s revised vision statement:



The Sanctuary works collaboratively to sustain a safe and healthy habitat for the North Pacific stock of humpback whales (kohola). As a community of ocean stewards, the Sanctuary strives to achieve a balance of appropriate uses, inspired care-taking, enlightened understanding, and effective education to ensure the continued presence of the kohola for future generations. The Sanctuary endeavors to do this with harmony, hope, respect, and aloha o ke kai (love of the sea).



A fundamental change for the sanctuary's five-year review in 2002 was updating the plan so that it:

(1) addressed current issues


(2) reflected new management tools and approaches


(3) reflected the strategic direction of the National Marine Sanctuaries Program


(4) identified criteria to evaluate the effectiveness of the sanctuary. 


The draft revised management plan was prepared by NOAA and the State of Hawai‘i, and released for public review on March 19, 2002, for approximately 60 days (67 FR 12525). During that time, seven public meetings were held in the main Hawaiian Islands, on O‘ahu, Kaua‘i, Maui, two on Hawai‘i (the Big Island), Lana‘i, and Moloka‘i. Approximately 70 people attended and over 300 comments were collected. During the same time period, approximately 40 written comments were received by email and regular mail. A synthesis of the comments received during the first 5-year review is available below. The final revised plan was developed in consultation with the Council and the State of Hawai`i.


Public comments and issues raised during the 2002 Management Plan Review

Two documents were created following the public review phase (1) a synthesis of comments (pdf) received both during public meetings and in writing through May 24, 2002 and (2) an issue matrix (pdf) of the comments received. These documents were used to assist the sanctuary staff and the Sanctuary Advisory Council in prioritizing issues for the final revised plan. All comments received were incorporated into the Final Revised Management Plan based on whether they were feasible to address at that time, and within the scope and authority of the sanctuary.


2002 Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale Revised Management Plan Documents - PDF Files

Cover and Introduction (pdf 745K)

Sanctuary Description and Vision (pdf 745K)

Introduction to Action Plans (pdf 745K)

Natural Resource Protection Action Plan (pdf 745K)

Education & Outreach Action Plan (pdf 745K)

Research & Monitoring Action Plan (pdf 745K)

Cultural Resource Enhancement Action Plan (pdf 745K)

Administration Action Plan (pdf 745K)

Appendices (pdf 2.9MB)

Entire Revised Management Plan (all sections listed above in one pdf file 5.8 MB)

Final Rule (pdf 1.4MB)


Other Related Documents- PDF Files

State of the Sanctuary Report
This report provides an overview of activities, programs, and projects as well as marine resources and management issues pertinent to the Sanctuary's development.

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