Blog Archives: In the News

Governor signs West Hawaii fishing rules into law

On December 14th Governor Neil Abercrombie signed a new set of rule changes for the fisheries of the entire west coast of Hawaii Island. The new rules are the product of years of research and public input and debate. The resulting rules include the ban of the highly controversial SCUBA spearfishing, along with restrictions on aquarium trade fishing in some areas, “no-take” for some vital marine species, and closes at 1,500ft section of Ka’ohe Bay to aquarium collecting.

From West Hawaii Today article by Nancy Cook Lauer:

“There’s a variety of interests involved and I wanted to make sure I understood everyone’s point of view,” Abercrombie said, explaining the delay in signing the package.

The rules codify prohibitions on scuba spearfishing in certain West Hawaii waters, as well as the “white list” of fish aquarium fish collectors may remove within the West Hawaii Regional Fishery Management Area, which spans 147 miles from Upolu to South Point.

The package also introduces size and bag limits for yellow tang, Achilles tang and kole.

Former County Councilman Pete Hoffmann, who worked extensively on fisheries rules at both the county and regional level, said he was happy to see regulations adopted.

“It’s a beginning,” Hoffmann said. “The idea of some regulations are absolutely necessary for the protection of our near-shore marine resources.”

Ocean Preferred Products – now available near you!

in In the News /by Amy Hodges

Ocean Preferred Product signage

West Maui Kumuwai is pleased to announce that its Ocean Partners Program is in full swing! The aim of this program is to promote the sale and use of “Ocean Preferred” products: fertilizers and pesticides that have been identified as less harmful to the marine environment, and in turn reduce the amount of runoff containing potentially harmful chemicals that makes its way into the ocean.

As of Nov. 1, WMK’s retail partners, Lahaina Ace Hardware and Hawaii Grower Products – a horticulture products supply store in Kahului – have helped take the guesswork out of choosing Ocean Preferred yard care products. These retail partners have made identifying and purchasing Ocean Preferred products easier by providing customer support and in-store signage when it’s needed most – when customers are scanning the shelves deciding what products to buy. WMK has provided these stores with an eye-catching sign prompting customers to “look for the Ocean Preferred sticker,” which can be found directly on Ocean Preferred products or on the shelf next to the product tag. Keep an eye out for these products and spread the word to shop Ocean Preferred!

DAR Proposed Maui and Lana’i Fisheries New Bag and Size Limits

in In the News, Meetings & Events /by Amy Hodges

The current state bag and size limits are not restrictive enough to effectively sustain our fish populations. The broad statewide rules are not specific enough to address the individual needs of the islands and have proven difficult to enforce.

The proposed rule would establish new, more protective fisheries regulations for Maui and Lana’i Islands. The changes will consist of bag and size limits for several popular nearshore fish including goatfish, parrotfish (uhu), and jacks (ulua/papio). In addition to the various bag and size limits, the proposed rules will also include a bag limit of no more than two uhu and prohibitions on the take of blue male uhu for the two large species, and slot limits for ‘omilu.

Download DAR Proposed Rules Package

Sign the petition to show your support and encourage decision makers to do the same.

DAR has been working since 2009 to get public input on the concerns regarding many popular species of near-shore fish. DAR staff reviewed the results of these meetings and developed a specific set of proposed regulated species updates for Maui and Lana’i. These new rules were derived from public concerns, scientific information regarding the reproductive lifecycles of the regulated species, and input from DOCARE officers.
Russell Sparks, DAR Maui aquatic biologist, will explain the new rules at several public information meetings in Maui County:
Oct. 10, 2013, in Hana at Helene Hall from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Oct.15, 2013, in Lanai City at the Lanai Senior Center from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Oct. 16, 2013, in Kahului at Maui Waena School Cafe from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Be an At Home Clean Water Hero

in In the News /by Amy Hodges

There are plenty of things you can do at home to make a difference in the quality of our water!

Can you spot the 14 pollutant sources in the neighborhood photo above? Learn how to stop them here.

Here are some recommendations from the County of Honolulu:

CAR

Don’t Be An Oil Drip-Identify and fix oil leaks on your vehicles; purchase used oil change box, soak up spilled oil and dispose appropriately

No Phos-For-Us-Phosphates are commonly found in cleaners and increase nutrient loads to streams. Use plain water or cleansers sparingly.

YARD

Cover Up-Prevent soil and debris from leaving your property

Read The Label-Use only the amount needed of pesticides and fertilizers; keep household cleaning products from becoming hazardous waste

Yard Care-Gather grass and tree cuttings and dispose as green waste; compost your yard Trimmings

Scoop Poop-Remove and dispose of pet waste before you leave an area

NEIGHBORHOOD

Keep It Clean-Keep sidewalks, curbs and gutters in front of your property clean

Get Involved-Mark storm drains with the message, “No Dumping, Drains to Ocean”, participate in Adopt-A-Stream, Adopt-A-Block cleanups, join a committee dedicated to healthy water

Do It Right-Use water based paint and be sure wash water doesn’t go down the storm drain. Dispose of leftover paint properly.

Reef-Safe Sunscreen

in In the News /by Amy Hodges

Did you know that two ingredients found in many popular sunscreen producta — oxybenzone and octinoxate — are known to harm or kill corals?

When you apply sunscreen with these chemicals and then swim or snorkel, sunscreen washes off your body and contaminates the reef ecosystem. Sunscreen pollution is especially problematic in popular snorkeling locations, where sunscreen is washing off dozens or possibly hundreds of people each and every day.

Why oxybenzone and octinoxate are bad for reefs
Scientific testing shows that oxybenzone and octinoxate may stunt the growth of baby corals, reports Dr. Craig Downs, executive director of the Haereticus Environmental Laboratory in Clifford, Virginia.

Oxybenzone can also cause coral bleaching. An oxybenzone concentration of around 400 ppt over several days is enough to induce coral bleaching in warm waters. Downs’ team tested ocean water off popular beaches on Maui and detected oxybenzone contamination of up to 4,000 parts per trillion (ppt).

Oxybenzone is toxic to seven coral species, according to Dr. Downs’ team, who tested the impact of the sunscreen chemical on corals in the lab.

Oxybenzone may be an endocrine disruptor among marine animals such as shrimps and clams.

Where to buy safer sunscreen alternatives on Maui
Here are some locations on Maui that carry sunscreens that are free of oxybenzone and octinoxate:

• Down to Earth Natural Foods, Kahului
• Hawaiian Moons Natural Foods, Kihei
• Whole Foods Market, Kahului
• Alive and Well, Kahului
• Mana Foods, Paia
• Pacific Whale Foundation’s Ocean Store, Ma’alaea
• Maui Dive Shop

Ask for zinc oxide or titanium dioxide based sunscreens that are free of oxybenzone and octinoxate wherever you shop for body care products. Encourage stores to carry these safer alternatives.

Click here to find brands of sunscreen that met the Environmental Working Group’s criteria.

We’re working to prevent sunscreen pollution
Outreach
Maui Nui Marine Resource Council reaches out to Maui County visitors and residents at events (such as the Aloha Classic and West Maui Ridge 2 Reef Rendezvous) and via social media to educate everyone about sunscreen pollution.

Working with local snorkel cruise operators
Many snorkel cruise companies on Maui now provide their guests with sunscreens that are free of oxybenzone and octinoxate — thanks to members of our team who worked with others in the local community to source affordable alternative products in bulk.

Testifying for legislation to protect reefs from these chemicals
Maui Nui Marine Resource Council has testified repeatedly in support of a proposed Maui County ban on the sale of sunscreen products containing oxybenzone and octinoxate. R

What you can do
1. Avoid sunscreens and body care products that contain oxybenzone and octinoxate. Read the labels carefully.

2. Skip spray-on products that disperse sunscreen everywhere around you (including on sand, where it washes into the ocean).

2. Choose zinc oxide or titanium dioxide based sunscreens.

3. Avoid all sunscreen products made with nano particles and other possible reef-harming ingredients, including avobenzone, octocrylene and homosalate.

4. Minimize your need for sunscreen by covering up with a hat and rash guard. Swim tights or athletic tights (like you would wear to the gym) also provide effective sun protection.

5. Choose snorkel cruise companies that require passengers to use sunscreens that are free of oxybenzone and octinoxate.

6. Remember that even if you are miles away from the ocean, chemicals washed off your body in your shower or bath will eventually find their way to the sea. When you’re home, do a good turn for coral reefs everywhere by avoiding all body care products with oxybenzone and octinoxate.

Save Olowalu:1,500 Home Development proposed for Olowalu

in In the News /by Amy Hodges

The Olowalu Town environmental impact statement is up for public review and comment as part of their planning process for a proposed 1,500-home development. The project includes impacting 636 agricultural land.

In the early 2000’s, Dr. Eric Brown conducted a baseline study on marine life in the area adjacent to the proposed development. Dr. Brown characterized the Olowalu reef as “the best leeward reef in Maui and probably the whole state.” Numerous marine biologists and researches agreed with Dr Brown and submitted testimony in 2008 and 2009 that the development would put reefs and water quality at risk in the area.

Olowalu coral polyps seed the reefs of West Maui, Lana’i and Moloka’i. Research and image: Mike Field, USGS

Further research by Mike Field and the USGS show that Olowalu reef is a “mother reef”. Its spawning coral polyps have been shown to travel of the coast and seed the reefs of West Maui, and even crossing the channels to seed Lana’i and Moloka’i reefs.

MNMRC urges you to consider an alternative location for the Olowalu development so that we may protect Maui’s last remaining healthy reef. After testimony at the Maui County Council by MNMRC reps and the public, it was voted to leave the land makai of the highway as a public greenspace, creating a buffer between the development and shoreline. However, this plan is still under review and the vote can be overturned in the future. Hawaii’s coral reefs are the cornerstone of Hawaii’s culture and economy, attracting millions of tourists to our islands each year and providing millions of dollars in revenue for our communities. We have options to build a small town elsewhere but there is no option to move the reef. Once the reef is gone, we cannot bring it back.

How important is it for Maui to start moving back from the rising sea level changes?

in In the News /by Amy Hodges

The best estimates of sea level change by 2100 is 1-2 meters total, which suggests about 0.4 to 0.9 inches rise per decade. Beaches are dynamic by nature. Coastal erosion can occur due to strong currents and high wave action, rising sea level and impacts by human alterations such as shoreline hardening and beach nourishment projects. The later can have a detrimental affect on nearby marine life as water clarity can decrease and sedimentation can increase if replacement sand is not analogous to existing grain size and quality.

The Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL) Program is part of management plan meant to help ensure the preservation of beach and dune ecosystems around the country. Construction activities seaward of the control line must meet special siting and design criteria. The program has been very successful in Florida and Hawaii may initiate the program starting with Kailua Beach on Oahu. This is the first plan in Hawaii to take climate changes into consideration and may act as a template for other beaches in Hawaii. Retreating from the shoreline or forming wetland buffers are other approaches to adapt to coastal erosion.

Hawaii Coastal Erosion Website

“Fish ID Hawaii” App

in In the News /by Amy Hodges

There’s an app for that!

Called “Fish ID Hawai‘i,” John Hoover has created a Hawaii Fish App for your smart phone. Identify 324 Hawaiian reef fish by family group, color, shape, scientific name, or Hawaiian name. View 987 underwater photos and 300+ underwater videos. Flip through 500+ screens crammed with info and pictures. Available in Apple App Store $11.99.

Check it out on Facebook

App updates and support Here

Palau President Visits Maui

in In the News, Meetings & Events /by Amy Hodges

On June 2nd, the President of Palau, Thomas “Tommy” Remengesau addressed an overflowing audience at UH Maui College regarding his nation’s work to balance its natural resources with the demands of economic growth. The Republic of Palau is the leading nation in the Micronesia Challenge, a commitment by 5 Micronesian governments to conserve at least 30% of their near-shore marine resources and 20% of terrestrial resources across Micronesia by 2020.

The government has instituted several groundbreaking actions including:

Mandatory Green Fee of $50US for all tourists arriving in the nation that to date has raised over $2M for conservation efforts
Ban on commercial fishing (including tuna), shark finning and long-line fishing- a decision made after weighing the benefits of commercial fishing versus eco- tourism
Conservation of 65% of its marine and 35% of its terrestrial resources – far exceeding the goals of the Micronesian Challenge

After the president’s address, he and his cabinet where welcomed at the Wailuku CMMA for dinner and talk story session with other members of the Maui Nui conservation community.

In response to a question about balancing conservation and the tourism industry, President Remengesau replies: “We don’t want more scuba divers in the water than fish”.