Gombos, M., Komoto, J., Lowry, K., MacGowan, P.

Hawaii coral reef management priorities. Appendix 1: Hawaii coral reef strategy. Priorities for management in the Main Hawaiian Islands, 2010-2020

2010

NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program

56

Technical Report

"The State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) is the primary agency responsible for coordinating Hawaiis reef management efforts in the Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI). The Coral Reef Working Group (CRWG), made up of key state and federal partners involved in coral reef management, was established to help provide guidance for the State of Hawaiis coral program. There are numerous parallel strategies and programs for managing the coral reef resources of the MHI. Over the past eight years, DAR led the development of six multi-agency Local Action Strategies (LAS) under guidance from the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force: Climate Change and Marine Disease, Lack of Public Awareness, Coral Reef Fisheries, Land-Based Sources of Pollution, Recreational Impacts to Reefs and Aquatic Invasive Species. Other related ocean resource management plans include: The Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy, Hawaiis Marine Managed Areas Framework (DLNRDAR) and the Hawaii Ocean Resources Management Plan (DBEDTCZM). All of these efforts have overlapping goals, projects, personnel and funding. While DAR has sought to coordinate these efforts, each strategy was developed somewhat independently. In order to provide a more cohesive strategy for coral reef management in Hawaii, DAR and local coral program partners began development of The Hawaii Coral Reef Strategy: Priorities for Management in the Main Hawaiian Islands, 20102020 (HCRS) in May 2007. The process began with numerous stakeholder interviews and an analysis of recent public meetings and related ocean/coral reef strategies. Recent NOAA initiatives to develop coral reef management priorities in the jurisdictions also provided additional impetus for the HCRS. Four goals and thirty objectives were developed based on the background research and analysis conducted by the coral strategy planner and consultation with the LAS advisory groups. These objectives were prioritized by the CRWG, with the top five identified as priorities for coral reef management in the next ten years. Intended outputs and outcomes were identified by LAS advisory groups for each of the priority objectives. The four goals of The Hawaii Coral Reef Strategy are: 1. Coral reefs undamaged by pollution, invasive species, marine construction and marine debris; 2. Productive and sustainable coral reef fisheries and habitat; 3. Coral reef ecosystems resilient to climate change, invasive species and marine disease; and 4. Increased public stewardship of coral reef ecosystems. The five priority objectives for the next ten years (20102020): 1. Reduce key anthropogenic threats to two priority near-shore coral reef sites by 2015 and five by 2020 using ahupuaal-based management. 2. Prevent new AIS introductions and minimize the spread of established AIS populations by 2020. 3. Increase the abundance and average size of ten targeted coral reef fisheries species critical to reef health and ecological function by 2020. 4. Designate a sufficient area of marine waters under effective conservation by 2020 to ensure sustainable and resilient coral reef ecosystems. 5. Reduce anchor damage and trampling on coral reefs through the implementation of no-anchor zones, utilization of day-use mooring buoys and other means by 2020. Since one of the top priority objectives mandates site-based actions, the CRWG decided to prioritize key coral reef sites for management activities. The top two sites selected as priorities for Hawaiis coral program for the next 35 years are: (1) Kahekili-Kaanapali (Maui), and (2) Pelekane Bay-Puako-Anaehoomalu Bay (Hawaii). Each location will have a site-based coordinator, planning team and associated action plan. The extensive planning process used to develop the Hawaii Coral Strategy has led to increased participation of key stakeholders and an enhanced dialogue between DAR staff, partner agencies and other statewide ocean initiatives. Through the collaboration of the CRWG, LAS advisory groups and other stakeholders a more strategic approach to addressing threats to coral reefs in Hawaii has been developed."

CRCP Project ID 20289; Project Title: Program Review Follow-up: Assessment of Manager's Priorities and Capacity Gaps, Phase 2; Principal Investigator: Tracy Parsons