Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 33, Number 5, 1 May 2016 — Continuing Movement for Lawaiʻa Pono [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Continuing Movement for Lawaiʻa Pono

ast summer, Governor Ige signed off on the Com-

munity Based Subsistence ■ Fishina Area

(CBSFA) rules for the ahupua'a of Hā'ena on Kaua'i. These rules provide for the eommunity to play a larger role in management of their near-shore fisheries. Prior to the formal adoption of these rules a formal public eomment period took plaee, providing the space for the community to share their mana'o about the management plan.

The comments showed great support for this initiative and the overarching sentiment was that it was niee to see this shift with our loeal communities and the state working together. Tommy Oi, BLNR member representing Kaua'i commented, "Hā'ena is going to be in the spotlight - we have to do everything possible to make this become a success." Another commenter stated: "These rules are about feeding our family, and about the ability to pass on our traditions to our children and grandchildren." - Keli'i Alapai, Hui Maka'āinana o Makana. On April 12, 2016 members of the Hā'ena community, State fisheries and enforcement representatives joined together for a panel discussion at Kilauea Elementary School to answer the community's questions about this initiative to collaboratively care for Hā'ena near-shore fisheries. The meeting sealed the community and state's commitment to engage in co-management and left the eommunity feeling excited about the future of Hā'ena. Mo'omomi Up Next The declining heahh of the State's near shore fisheries is a serious issue that is felt statewide.

This puts immense pressure on subsistence fishing practices and

communities statewide are looking to work with the State to provide solutions to better care for their plaee and bring back 'āina momona (abundance) to their near-shore fisheries. The Ho'olehua Hawaiian Homestead community on Moloka'i has been working for over 20 years, under the guidance of Unele Mae Poepoe, to increase traditional and more eommunity based management for Mo'omomi on the north coast of the island. The

community's pilot project was legislatively created in 1995, but allowed to sunset in 1997. Since then, the community continued to monitor and care for the fisheries and mauka (landward) regions and its efforts endured on a grassroots level. The Mo'omomi community, in partnership with the state and abutting landowners are working to formally re-submit the North Coast of Moloka'i's proposed rules and management plan to the Division of Aquatic Resources for further vetting. Together, the goal is to go before the BLNR to request for a formal public hearing to be held on Moloka'i before the end of the year. The proposed boundary for the fishing rules runs from 'Ilio Point to Kaholaiki Bay at Pelekunu. Hawaiian practitioners and grassroots communities from across Pae 'Āina rallied to support the Ha'ena CBSFA effort, and our Kaua'i community is very grateful for the support. Now, it is time for all of us to rally around the effort to put management of Mo'omomi fishery back in the hands of community. This is self-determination in action. SUPPORT MO'OMOMI! ■

Dan Ahuna

VicE Chair, TrustEE, Kaua'i and Ni'ihau