Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 33, Number 9, 1 September 2016 — Kaʻūpūlehu to 'rest' for 10 years [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Kaʻūpūlehu to 'rest' for 10 years

By Ka Wai Ola staff Anew marine reserve has been created in West Hawai'i in response to declining fish levels in the onee productive ecosystem. Generations ofKa'ūpūlehu 'ohana, kūpuna and kama'āina fishermen, recognizing it would take years for reef fish stocks to recover, rallied behind a "Try Wait" campaign to restrict fishing. Their voices were heard in July when Gov. David Ige signed a new rule to rest the waters for the next decade. The new marine reserve will encompass the Ka'ūpūlehu Fish ReplenishmentArea. Forthe 10 years, no aquatic life ean be taken from the Ka'ūpūlehu Reserve boundaries, with limited exceptions. Detailed information and a map of the boundaries are located at http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/ files/20 16/0 1/HAR_1 3-60.4dr.pdf. While some fishers are unhappy about the new regulations, the

Ka'ūpūlehu Marine Life Advisory Committee was heartened to share news of the kapu. In a kāhea from area families earlier this year, Aunty Hannah Springer made clear, '"Try Wait' is what we say NOT 'try stop.' 'Try Wait' with us and when it is time to fish again, the 'ono (flavors) we share will be sweet." "The establishment of this reserve is largely due to the steadfast commitment and efforts of many community members, including long-time fishermen and native Hawaiians who live and fish in this area. They worked for more than 17 years to get support for the Ka'ūpūlehu Reserve," Suzanne Case, chair of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, said in a release. "As a result of the rest period, we ean expect to see more uhu and other reef fish critical to the heahh of the coral ecosystem at Ka'ūpūlehu and surrounding areas." ■

Marine Reserve, Fish Netting Restricted Replenishment Area Area Boundaries*