Council Member Profiles
Former Reserve Advisory Council member profile
Carol Wilcox
2015 – 2019
"Papahānaumokuākea is a place of great mystery. It contains yet-to-be-known wonders in the areas of marine, culture, science and history. I don’t know of anything or place more important. "
– Carol Wilcox
Q: What drew you to participate in the NWHI Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve Advisory Council?
A: Laura Thompson invited me to apply as her alternate for the conservation seat. I succeeded her when she stepped off the RAC.
Q: What do you see as the council’s greatest achievement during the time you have been involved?
A: Gaining the support of Laura Bush, who then with the help of Jean-Michel Cousteau introduced President Bush to the NWHI through a movie which Cousteau had produced. It so impressed President Bush that he supported the continuation of protection at an absolutely critical, thumbs up or thumbs down, moment.
Q: As a member of the council, what is one of your most memorable experiences?
A: The meeting, co-chaired by William Aila of the Reserve Advisory Council and Sol Kaho‘ohalahala of Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, to commit to joining forces in mutually shared goals, rather than competing with each other.
Q: What do you see as the biggest challenges facing the council and/or monument today?
A: I believe the biggest challenge will be to get new RAC members willing to commit to doing serious time and work. RAC members and staff … are unanimously committed to what is the best for the reserve. Their combined institutional knowledge is staggering. They understand the legalities, protocols, politics, personnel, science, cultural, and historic resources. This is what has allowed the reserve to continue and to thrive.
Q: Why should people care about protecting the monument?
A: It’s the last special place of its kind.
Q: Anything else you would like to say about being a member of the council?
A: Best experience ever! Best people, best cause.