Note: Following the 2002 management plan review, there was interest in considering other marine mammals and sea turtles for possible inclusion to the sanctuary. The marine resources listed for evaluation by state and community partners to date include dolphins, other whales, Hawaiian monk seals, sea turtles, and maritime heritage resources including historic downed aircraft and sunken ships.

• Complexity: Protection of habitat (though for a single species target, other species benefit)
• Balance/Integration: Public engagement (Sanctuary Advisory Council)

Mission

In 2002 as part of a mandated Management Plan review, the HIHWNMS developed the following 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).

Objectives

The Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary Act (HINMSA) of 1992 authorized the protected area and established the Sanctuary’s purposes as follows:

• To protect humpback whales and their habitat within the Sanctuary.
• To educate and interpret for the public the relationship of humpback whales to the Hawaiian Islands marine environment.
• To manage human uses of the Sanctuary consistent with the HINMSA and National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA).
• To provide for the identification of marine resources and ecosystems of national significance for possible inclusion in the Sanctuary.

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources

State-Federal Management Structure

As stipulated in a compact agreement signed in 1998 by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Governor Benjamin J. Cayetano, NOAA and the State of Hawaii “shall manage the sanctuary through a cooperative partnership and consult on all management activities throughout the sanctuary.” In accordance with the agreement, the Governor designated a State Co-Manager to work in consultation with the Sanctuary Superintendent as an equal partner in the oversight of sanctuary operations. NOAA and the State of Hawaii determined that co-managing a sanctuary would provide additional resources and expertise to enhance the protection of humpback whales and their habitat.

Staff

HIHWNMSis supported by a team of 26 full-time employees and interns, including program coordinators, administrative assistants, operations managers, a superintendent, a sanctuary co-manager, marine mammal response coordinator, information technology specialists, science and rescue coordinators, outreach coordinators, an education center coordinator and a Sanctuary Advisory Council coordinator.

Sanctuary Advisory Council

The HIHWNMS Sanctuary Advisory Council (SAC) was established in March 1996 to provide advice and recommendations, act as an advisory body, provide expertise, and serve as a forum for consultation and deliberation among its members. Council membership includes representation from various local user groups, native Hawaiian groups, conservation, science and educational organizations, county interests and members of the public. Representatives from Federal and State agencies also hold seats on the Council. Members are appointed by the Sanctuary Co-Manager in consultation with the director of NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and the State of Hawaii.

Subcommittees were formed to coordinate expertise in research, education, and conservation. Council members typically serve two-year terms and meet several times a year; committees and working groups meet more often.  The SAC saw increased programmatic investment in 2000, when a Sanctuary Advisory Coordinator was hired to coordinate input and training for the 24-member body.

Regulations

The following activities are prohibited within HIHWNMS:

• Approaching, or causing a vessel or other object to approach, within the sanctuary, by any means, within 100 yards of any humpback whale except as authorized under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).
• Operating any aircraft above the sanctuary within 1,000 feet of any humpback whale.
• Taking any humpback whale in the sanctuary except as authorized under the MMPA and the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
• Possessing within the sanctuary (regardless of where taken) any living or dead humpback whale or part thereof taken in violation of the MMPA or the ESA.
• Discharging or depositing any materials or other matter in the sanctuary; altering the seabed of the sanctuary, or discharging and depositing any material or other matter outside of the sanctuary if the discharge or deposit subsequently enters and injures a humpback whale or humpback whale habitat.
• Interfering with, obstructing, delaying, or preventing an investigation, search, seizure, or disposition of seized property in connection with enforcement with either of the Acts.

Humpback whale populations were depleted by the commercial whaling industry in the early 1900s. In 1973, the United States government made it illegal to hunt, harm or disturb humpback whales. Upon passage of the Endangered Species Act in 1973 the humpback whale was listed as an endangered species and remains so.

The species winters in the shallow areas surrounding the Hawaiian islands, making these coastal areas very important to the species’ survival. Concern for their population precipitated protected area designation. On November 4, 1992, Congress created the Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary Act (HINMSA). The final management plan went into effect on June 2, 1997.

The Ecosystem

The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary (HIHWNMS) is located from the shoreline to the 100-fathom isobath (600 foot depth) in:

• The Penguin Bank area in Maui.
• The north shore of Kaua‘i.
• The north shore of the north and south shores of O‘ahu.
• The north Kona and Kohala coasts of the Big Island.

HIHWNMS is actually a series of five noncontiguous marine protected areas distributed across the main Hawaiian Islands totaling 1,370 square miles (3,548 square kilometers). Boundaries were created in consideration of maximum conservation returns in light of limited resources and incompatible uses such as harbors and military activities.

Nearly two-thirds of the entire North Pacific population of humpback whales migrates to Hawaii each winter. Here, they engage in breeding, calving, and nursing activities critical to the survival of their species. As such, protection of this habitat is essential to the long-term recovery of the North Pacific humpback whale population.

Though not current conservation targets, HIHWNMS boundaries also extend protections to dolphins, other whales, Hawaiian monk seals, sea turtles, corals, plants and maritime heritage resources including historic downed aircraft and sunken ships.

Threats

Humpback whale populations suffered throughout the 20^th Century due to overharvest in the whaling trade. Populations have been slow to recover and the species is still listed as endangered. As the only reproductive site in the U.S., HIHWNMS provides invaluable habitat for the species.

The HIHWNMS is currently undergoing review and revision of their Management Plan in accordance with the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA) requirements. The 2002 Plan identified five action plans (and embedded strategies) to guide management of the Sanctuary:

Natural Resource Protection (NRP) Action Plan

• NRP-1: Assess and clarify the Sanctuary’s role in contingency planning, emergency response, and damage assessment activities.
• NRP-2: Enhance project and permit review procedures.
• NRP-3: Obtain and share relevant information on Sanctuary uses, use policies, and regulations.
• NRP-4: Reduce violations of Sanctuary regulations.
• NRP-5: Develop and implement a process that identifies and evaluates resources for possible inclusion in the Sanctuary.

Education and Outreach (EO) Action Plan

• EO-1: Assess, enhance, and implement existing education and outreach programs.
• EO-2: Develop and implement new education and outreach programs.
• EO-3: Support current functions and activities of the Sanctuary’s volunteer program.
• EO-4: Provide additional opportunities for volunteer participation in Sanctuary activities and events.

Research and Monitoring (RM) Action Plan

• RM-1: Characterize and monitor the central North Pacific stock of humpback whales.
• RM-2: Characterize and monitor the habitat and behavior of humpback whales including the natural and anthropogenic factors affecting them.
• RM-3: Improve the administration of research projects.
• RM-4: Enhance communications among researchers, between researchers and resource managers, and between researchers and the general public.

Cultural Resource Enhancement (CRE) Action Plan

• CRE-1: Conduct and facilitate Native Hawaiian events and traditions.
• CRE-2: Nurture increased public awareness and appreciation of traditional Hawaiian values and practices related to ocean use.

Administration (AD) Action Plan

• AD-1: Continue and enhance Federal-State co-management of the Sanctuary.
• AD-2: Establish agreements for coordination among agencies and organizations relevant to Sanctuary management to better protect humpback whales and their habitat.
• AD-3: Enhance opportunities for Sanctuary Advisory Council participation in planning, education, research, and other appropriate activities.
• AD-4: Enhance the staffing and personnel resources of the Sanctuary.
• AD-5: Augment the physical infrastructure of the Sanctuary.

In 2002, HIHWNMS identified its major contribution to research as evolving from annual awards of grants to teams of scientists engaged in the study of Hawaii’s humpbacks.

HIHWNMS also takes an active role in disseminating the findings of research projects to other agencies and to the general public.

Ecosystem Improvements

Although the underlying causes may be varied, the number of humpback whales has increased. According to the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Sanctuary (HIHWNMS), the humpback whale population increased 7 percent per year from 1993 to 2000. In 2000, researchers estimated 4,500 to 6,500 humpback whales were in the waters around Hawaii.

Legal Protections

Creation of HIHWNMS created important legal protections for humpback whales, with violations punishable by fines. Protections are currently being weighed for extension to other marine species as part of the management plan review. To enforce regulations, the sanctuary pays for a NOAA enforcement officer to be on station at the sanctuary during peak whale periods.

Public Engagement

HIHWNMS can measure the results of its public engagement in several ways. More than 5,400 people visited the sanctuary education center in 2001. More than 70 volunteers support program activities and about 1,000 volunteers participate in an annual whale census. The engagement builds support for the center’s activities and raises awareness for conservation approaches. HIHWNMS has also built engagement with whale tourism operators. In one example, the sanctuary raised awareness of the role of humpback whales in supporting the state’s economy. In 1999, a sanctuary commissioned study found the whale watch industry contributed $11 to $16 million annually to the state’s economy.

Hawaiian IslandsHumpback Whale NMS. Frequently Asked Questions:  http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/about/FAQs.html.

Hawaiian IslandsHumpback Whale NMS. Management Plan Review: 2002 Highlights: http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/management/mpr_2002.html.