ALOHA!

We are the West Hawaii Fishery Council, our mission is to provide for substantive involvement of the community in resource management decisions; encourage scientific research and monitoring of the nearshore resources and environment from Upolu Point to Ka Lae; to work toward and advise about the resolution of conflicts of use and the enhancement of nearshore resources; and to assist in the development and implementation of management plans for minimizing resource depletion; per legislative mandate to the Department of Land and Natural Resources. We attempt to accomplish this through a diverse mix of stake holders and community leaders. Moreover the West Hawai‘i Fishery Council acknowledges the indigenous people of Hawai‘i as the original hoa’aina (caretakers) of the ipukai (ocean) encompassed by the West Hawai‘i Regional Fishery Management Area. We recognize that this kuleana (responsibility) has been passed on to us and the communities we represent. Continued respect for Hawaiian cultural practices and the ongoing role of the Hawaiian people in caring for this place will help to guide our decisions.