Meetings address dwindling
ocean resources

The state is trying to develop
marine management rules

WAILUKU » A series of statewide public meetings are scheduled to start today on the Valley Isle looking at ways to improve the management of depleting marine resources, including fish within Kahului Harbor in central Maui.

A bill was passed by the state Legislature that would prevent net fishing within Kahului Harbor starting Dec. 31, 2006, unless rules are adopted by the state to regulate its use, state Rep. Ezra Kanoho said.

Kanoho, who introduced a resolution calling for the series of meetings, said he hopes commercial fisherman and recreational pole fishermen at Kahului are able to have a talk with state officials and arrive at a compromise.

Kanoho, chairman of the House Committee on Water, Land and Ocean Resources, said the state faces dwindling marine resources on various islands.

He said the public meetings are intended to begin talks between state officials and the public and perhaps broaden areas of protection to improve replenishment of the depleting marine resources.

"It's to make sure people know we have a problem and we need to address it," he said.

The series of meetings, all at 6 p.m., take place at the Maui Waena Intermediate School cafeteria in Kahului today and Princess Nahienaena School cafeteria in Lahaina tomorrow.

A meeting is scheduled at Mitchell Pauole Center on Molokai on June 22 and the Lanai Public Library on June 23, and at Kauai's Wilcox Elementary School on July 5 and Waimea Neighborhood Center on July 6.

On Oahu, the meetings will take place at the Haleiwa Surf Center on Aug. 2, Waianae Library on Aug. 3, and state Capitol auditorium on Aug. 4.

Big Island dates will be scheduled in the future, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

For more information, contact Deborah Ward at (808) 587-0320, or Alton Miyasaka at (808) 587-0092.