Sanctuary Advisory Council Recruitment

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is seeking to fill three primary and four alternate seats on its advisory council.

The sanctuary is accepting applications for the following seats:

• Conservation (primary)
• Fishing (primary)
• Fishing (alternate)
• Native Hawaiian (primary)
• Native Hawaiian (two alternates)
• Youth (alternate)

The council ensures public participation in sanctuary matters and provides advice to sanctuary management. “The members of our sanctuary advisory council are essential to ensuring community input and engagement in our sanctuary management,” said Kim Hum, sanctuary superintendent. “We rely on their local knowledge, experience, and expertise to assist us in making informed and timely decisions on how best to protect and conserve humpback whales and their habitat as well as important cultural and other natural resources.”

Candidates are selected based on their expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying, community and professional affiliations, and experience regarding the protection and management of marine resources. Applicants who are chosen as primary or alternate members should expect to serve a three-year term and regularly attend quarterly meetings.

Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. HST on May 18, 2026.

For more information and to submit your application, contact:

Sara Wood
(808) 807-2557
sara.wood@noaa.gov

If necessary, applications may also be mailed to:

NOAA IRC
ATTN: Sara Wood / ONMS
1845 Wasp Blvd., Bldg. 176
Honolulu, HI 96818

Advisory Council Application - General
Advisory Council Application - Youth
Community Announcement