Researchers pay visit to marine monument
Associated Press
Educators and researchers from around the Pacific spent 11 days traveling to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands this month.
They snorkeled in shallow waters, visited cultural sites on Nihoa island and observed marine life in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument.
Native Hawaiian educators from Kauai, Maui and Molokai compared their home environments with the atoll environment.
Educators from Fiji, American Samoa, Palau, the Marshall Islands, Australia, the Cook Islands and Kiribati joined the voyage.
Expedition members share similar challenges protecting coral reefs from overuse, illegal fishing and climate change.
The participants, who returned to Honolulu yesterday, traveled aboard a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ship.
