In a ceremony held on March 2, 2007, the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Monument was honored with the name Papahanaumokuakea, invoking the ancient Hawaiian creation story of Papa (Earth Mother) and Wakea (Sky Father) and the long stretch of islands to which they gave birth. These sacred Kupuna islands were designated the first-ever marine monument by a presidental proclamation issued on June 15, 2006. This declaration means the NWHI will no longer be considered for sanctuary status. As the process to implement this decision develops, the public must continue to be involved at every stage of decision-making to ensure this irreplacable public trust resource is fully protected. Sign up with our action alert network to receive updates on the process to implement the NWHI monument proclamation.

Also visit the "Laws & Regulations" page for more information about the NWHI Monument proclamation, regulations, and NWHI Hui analysis.

LOCAL NEWS:

• Papahanaumokuakea a fitting name for the islands' rebirth (96K PDF) Honolulu Star-Bulletin Editorial, March 6, 2007.


• First lady to reveal name of monument (136k PDF) Honolulu Advertiser March 3, 2007.


• End of bottomfishing unlikely to hurt economy, study says (72k PDF) Honolulu Advertiser July 28, 2006.


• Buyouts offer boost to marine preserve (76K PDF) Honolulu Advertiser Editorial July 27, 2006.


• WESPAC supports commercial fishing in the Northwestern monument (96K PDF) Honolulu Advertiser July 27, 2006.


• Funding Approval Just A Start For NWHI Preservation (96K PDF) Honolulu Star-Bulletin July 17, 2006.


• NW Isles reserve could get $6.1 million (76K PDF) Honolulu Star-Bulletin July 14, 2006.


• A monumental victory for NWHI protection (76K PDF) Honolulu Star-Bulletin Commentary June 22, 2006.


• Fishing debate not over in NW Isles (140K PDF) Honolulu Advertiser June 19, 2006.


• Sanctuary a victory long in making (204K PDF) Honolulu Advertiser Commentary June 18, 2006.


• Bush plan calls halt to all fishing (184K PDF) Honolulu Advertiser Commentary June 18, 2006.


• Monument status a splendid milestone for precious islands (136K PDF) Honolulu Star-Bulletin OpEd June 16, 2006.


• Bush to create huge isle monument (156K PDF) Honolulu Star-Bulletin June 15, 2006.


• Northwestern Islands to become monument (360K PDF) Honolulu Advertiser June 15, 2006.

• A Struggle to Preserve a Hawaiian Archipelago and Its Varied Wildlife (296k PDF) New York Times December 18, 2006. **KAHEA is mentioned in the New York Times!!**


• National Public Radio (NPR) report on the NWHI monument (WAV Audio File)


• Bush Unveils Biggest Marine Reserve (88K PDF) MSNBC June 15, 2006.


• Bush Plan Vast Protected Sea Area in Hawaii (80K PDF) New York Times June 15, 2006.


• Vast Hawaii sea Area Becomes National Monument (127K PDF) National Public Radio June 15, 2006.


• Hawaiian Marine Reserve To Be World's Largest (120K PDF) Washington Post June 15, 2006.

For more national news, click here.