Marine Managed Area
Pupukahi i holomua (Unite to move forward)
Based on the mana‘o gained from our lawai‘a council, we support a Marine Managed Area to allow the ecosystem to rest and rejuvenate.
When fish are abundant, the Hawaiian culture of harvesting fish sustainably, will return to Kailua.
This is the essence of our efforts at Manu ‘Iwa O Ka Malanai.In the past, it was common to harvest as many fish as one could catch. That meant using the most effective means which included surround nets, overnight lay nets, night spearfishing, throw nets, and sometimes even "bombing the hole" with chlorine.
Taking as much fish as possible meant, “money in your pocket” and also,we believed that the fish supply would never run out. But today we see the effects of a lack of care for the nearshore fishery and ineffective management. It is not the same where mature Uhu used to roam freely inside the reef and Menpachi could be found under coral ledges.
A marine managed area (MMA) aims to reverse the negative impacts of the previous unsustainable harvest by allowing fish stocks to recover so that fishermen in the future reap the benefits of this rest period. It is not a living aquarium for the visitor industry to take advantage of, and may require curbs on visitors to maintain a healthy ecosystem with a “fish come first” attitude. When fish are abundant, the Hawaiian culture of harvesting fish sustainably, will return to Kailua. This is the essence of our efforts at Manu Iwa O Ka Malanai.
What is an MMA?
Marine Managed Areas (MMAs) are specific geographic areas designated by statute or administrative rule for the purpose of managing a variety of marine, estuarine, or anchialine resources and their use. The resources may include any type of marine life (mammals, fishes, invertebrates, algae, etc.) and their habitats.
Some factors affecting reef health and fisheries include
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Night time Spear Fishing
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Water Quality
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Invasive Species
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Changes to freshwater input
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The effects of commercial activities
Lawa‘ia Pono Council
Lawa‘ia Pono Council
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Byron Ko‘omealani Amona
Pat La‘a
Ray Lum
Kenny Olds
Rocky Owens
To gain a perspective of what the condition is of the Kailua nearshore fishery today, looking into the past through the eyes of the most competent lawa‘ia of Kailua from 60’s, 70’s and 80’s was crucial. The comparison of how abundant fish were back then to the lack of fish today is evident after listening to the stories our kupuna told us. These contributors are; Kenny Olds, Charles “Boy” Kalama, Pat La‘a, Rocky Owens, and Byron Amona.
These individuals we call the “Lawa‘ia Pono Council.” They made recommendations on how to set up an effective plan to restore an abundant fishery and their mana‘o is the basis for the application we are making to the DLNR and State.
Discussions went on for months about how the culture of catching fish in Kailua has been lost and what we can do about it. Our strategy entails not only providing a safe haven for fish in Ka‘ōhao, but also what the constant activity along the shoreline has meant for the schools of fish that used to populate what was once a remote peaceful part of Oahu. Being mindful of all stakeholders, returning the balance that was lost when Kailua and Ka‘ōhao beach became major tourist destinations, is part of our management agenda.
Proposed MMA and/or CBSFA with two zones
Zone 1
Restricts the take of any marine life unless it is caught by hook and line.
Zone 2
Allows the taking of all marine life by line fishing, throwing net from shore, and day spearfishing, subject to the Bag limits. Gill nets are prohibited. Night diving is prohibited.
Pu‘uhonua
Our goal is to produce a puʻuhonua (refuge) in Kaʻōhao, that entices mature fish that are still plentiful in the one hundred foot depth, to come closer to shore and reside inside the reef. This hopefully will create a “spill over” of fish into neighboring Waimānalo and Kailua where divers can harvest them. From the beach to just outside the reef in Ka‘ōhao is Zone 1 and there is no spear fishing or taking sea life in any way allowed day or night, except by hook and line. In Kailua Bay, which is Zone 2, You may spear fish but only in the daytime and with bag limits.
Take our survey to let us know what you think.
