10 Years of Ocean Protection: 10th Year Anniversary Celebration

Ten Year-long Recognition of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve Ends with Celebration

Kicking off a combined commemoration on Dec. 3, 2010 was the 10th Anniversary Celebration of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve (NWHICRER), established by President Bill Clinton on Dec. 4, 2000. At that time, the Reserve became the single largest nature preserve ever established in the United States. Calling the designation “a bold and visionary action,” President Clinton recognized the work of an unprecedented coalition of government agencies, conservation groups and concerned citizens for “[a] big step forward, not only for the U.S., but for the oceans around the world…setting a new global standard for coral reef and wildlife protection.” The Reserve is now part of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, created by President George W. Bush in 2006.

The NWHICRER 10th anniversary recognition included reflections from the chairperson of the Reserve Advisory Council, Tim Johns. He said, “I think it’s one of the last great places left on earth. It’s been protected for a lot of years just by its distance from man, but when you get up there you realize that there are still places on this earth, where the hand of God still touches the earth. And so just knowing that a place like that is still existing, and is now going to be protected in perpetuity is just a really great thing.”

Johns and other members of the council have donated thousands of hours of time to advising Reserve managers and have been instrumental in pushing for the high levels of protection that now make Papahānaumokuākea one of the most stringently protected marine areas on the planet. Two founding members of the council and valued kupuna Laura Thompson and Buzzy Agard were also recognized during the event, along with the late Dr. Isabella Abbott and others who have passed.

The commemoration also included an introductory video that traces 10 years of ocean protection in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, remarks by Dan Polhemus, the chair of the Monument Management Board and introduction of a cultural briefing video by Heidi Guth of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

The NWHICRER 10th Anniversary recognition was followed by the official inscription of Papahānaumokuākea as a UNESCO World Heritage site. More than 400 guests participated in the joint celebration.