Try Wait – a plan to restore the fish in the reef at Hualālai Resort

Try Wait is a proposal to rest and restore Kaʻūpūlehu’s reef. The Kaʻūpūlehu Marine Life Advisory Committee (KMLAC) is a group of individuals (including the kamaʻāina families of Kaʻūpūlehu) and organizations (including The Nature Conservancy) working to return the fisheries to Kaʻūpūlehu’s coastal waters. The proposal is to rest a 3.6 mile stretch of coastline from Kalaemanō to Kikaua Point, from shore to a depth of 120 feet for 10 years. Swimming, paddling, and walking along the beach will not be changed. But fishing would be prohibited in the area for 10 years. This proposal evolved thru the course of many community meetings, outreach exchanges, and conversations with user groups and stakeholders. The proposal combines the knowledge and personal observations of kūpuna and kamaʻāina with lessons learned from local and global scientific research to develop a sustainable plan to restore the fisheries in the reef in front of the resort. During the resting period scientific and community monitoring will occur to determine the success in bringing back fisheries to the traditional abundance this area once had.

 On February 11th there will be a public hearing at Kealakehe High School, 74-5000 Puohulihuli Street, Kailua Kona. If you are interested in supporting the proposal, you can sign an online petition at http://bit.ly/trywait or submit testimony in writing (DNLR.aquatics@hawaii.gov) or at the meeting.

 If you would like more information about this proposal to support fish replenishment for future sustainable harvest, go to http://facebook.com/KMLAC or email thekmlac@gmail.com.

 A copy of the current rule proposal can be found at: http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/files/2014/05/HAWAII.13-60.4dr.pdf

Your consideration is appreciated. And please share this information with your friends, ohana, those who visit Hualalai, those who have spent vacations at Kona Village, and others interested in restoration of the fisheries at Hualalai.

http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/approve-the-kaplehu-communit-1?source=s.fwd&r_by=15015684