Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 31, Number 1, 1 Ianuali 2014 — Niʻihauans urge fishing protections [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Niʻihauans urge fishing protections

One of the strongest impressions at the AHCC's 54th annual convention was made by a delegation of Ni'ihauans who, though present throughout mueh of the week, for the most part observed the proceedings in silence. Dressed in their Sunday best, sitting in two rows at the back of the hall, they eame seeking the association's help in stopping an escalation of nearshore poaching of fish and 'opihi that's jeopardizing their ability to maintain their subsistence lifestyle. It's gotten so bad recently, that at times they've been unahle to feed themselves. Their plight was brought to the civic clubs' attention by state Sen. Clayton Hee, who heard the people's testimony first-hand when he visited the privately owned island in September with Sens. Miehelle Kidani, Gil Kahele and Brickwood Galuteria. The issue was also raised in a resolution, jointly introduced by three civic clubs, urging state policymakers to impose protective measures to protect the island's natural and cultural resources. In his keynote speech, Hee extolled the sustainable fishing practices of ancient Hawaiians, whieh Ni'ihauans still practice, and decried the modern attitude of "take 'um" that lead to the depletion of 'opihi throughout the Islands. To illustrate his point, Hee showed a video elip of trespassers caught taking 'opihi on the island's rocks while a native Ni'ihauan woman demands to know why. Upon concluding his remarks, Hee invited Leiana Robinson, whose husband Bruce Robinson and brother-in-law Keith Robinson own the island, to speak directly to the delegates. While Robinson's simple plea clearly affected many in the audience, it was the Ni'ihauans' voices, lifted in sweetly reverent hymns in their native 'ōlelo Hawai'i, that stirred the hearts of the convention. It was a rare privilege, one no member of the association is likely to ever forget. The resolution to protect Ni'ihau's resources passed easily. — MaryAHce Ka 'iulani Milliam I

A contingent of nearly 30 Ni'ihauans express their aloha to the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs with an a eappella hymn. The Ni'ihauans eame seeking support for a resolution urging protection of their waters and resources. - Photo: MaryAlice Ka'iulani Milham