Group invites the West Maui resort community

Kāʻanapali Makai Watch invites the West Maui resort community to attend an informative volunteer training workshop
Sat. April 25th, 9 am - 1pm at the Kaunoa Senior Center in Lahaina




Aloha!


I would like to invite you to participate in the upcoming Makai Watch Training workshop to be held in Lahaina on Saturday April 25th. More details are below in the official news release from the DLNR, and background on the statewide Makai Watch program as well as our local Kāʻanapali Makai Watch program can be found here.

 This training is a great opportunity for anyone who would like to learn more about marine resource management, marine life identification, local rules and regulations, modern and traditional fishing practies, and the cultural significance of the Kāʻanapali region. Whether you would simply like to become more informed, or actively volunteer and officially join our team, this workshop is an excellent opportunity and is ideal for resort management and staff, security officers, watersports companies, property owners and part-time residents.

Check out some photos that give an overview of Makai Watch and the Kāʻanapali Makai Watch Program, and highlight some of the amazing individuals who have been helping out through the years.

 Please let me know if you have any questions, and if you would like to RSVP, email, call or text me at (808) 283-1631.

-Liz Foote

 Executive Director, Project S.E.A.-Link,
Coordinator, Kāʻanapali Makai Watch
 

Makai Watch Volunteer Training Workshop - Saturday, April 25th,  9 am - 1 pm, Kaunoa Senior Center, Lahaina

 
DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

DAVID Y. IGE
GOVERNOR

CARTY CHANG
INTERIM CHAIRPERSON

NEW TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR MAKAI WATCH COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS

HONOLULU -- Helping the State of Hawaii bring more effective management of Hawaii’s near shore marine resources is the goal of the Makai Watch Volunteer Program, which is assisting the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) by acting as the ‘eyes and ears’ of conservation enforcement in the community.

The goal of Makai Watch is to enhance the management of near-shore marine resources by providing community members opportunities for direct involvement in management activities.

Makai Watch Volunteers who wish to participate in the program in an official capacity will need to complete the volunteer training and pass a certification test.

The DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) and Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), in collaboration with Makai Watch Volunteer Program partners and funders, are offering an updated statewide training series this summer, following official recognition of the State of Hawaii Makai Watch program by the Board of Land and Natural Resources. This designation recognizes Makai Watch’s compliance with the newly established requirements of the state program.

Specific training dates are: Kaua‘i (April 18), Maui (April 25th, 9 am - 1 pm, Kaunoa Senior Center, Lahaina), Pupukea (May 2), Maunalua Bay (Oahu, May 16), and Hawai‘i Island (May 23).

The training includes an updated version of the Observation and Incident Reporting (OIR) Training series released in 2011, along with a newly developed Awareness Raising and Outreach (ARO) component known as ‘Ike Kai (to know, feel, understand, and comprehend, the ocean ). This component addresses common regulated species found in Makai Watch areas, ocean management tools, both traditional and modern, and promotes cultural awareness when engaging resource users.

“The ‘Ike Kai curriculum was an opportunity to weave in the cultural awareness involved with the management and enforcement of near shore resources”, said Edward Luna Kekoa, Statewide Makai Watch coordinator. “Many Makai Watch volunteers interact with local families and fishermen, and by sharing some of those cultural sensitivities, we believe those interactions will be more positive and productive.”

The Makai Watch Program is an officially recognized DLNR program in partnership with non-governmental organizations including The Nature Conservancy of Hawaiʻi (TNC), Kua'aina Ulu 'Auamo (KUA), Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund, Project S.E.A.-Link, and funding provided by Conservation International - Hawaii and the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation.

For more information about the training series or to learn more about the Makai Watch Program, please contact Luna Kekoa at (808) 349-6095 or Edward.L.Kekoa@hawaii.gov.

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Images of Makai Watch volunteers can be found online at https://plus.google.com/u/0/101613020396360217549/posts

Media Contact:
Deborah Ward
DLNR Public information specialist
Phone: (808) 587-0320