10 Years of Ocean Protection: Stories & Photos

Marine Educators Learn about Papahānaumokuākea

In three years time, Matt Limtiaco believes awareness of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument has increased significantly. Limtiaco, the Monument’s Navigating Change Coordinator developed this opinion after staffing an outreach display and table at the Waikiki Aquarium’s Marine Educators Night on Sept. 25, 2010. This is the third year the Monument has participated in the event and Limtiaco said awareness of Papahānaumokuākea, “…Went from nearly zero three years ago, to maybe 10% the second year. This year 15-20% of the educators we engaged with had heard of the Monument, and I think that’s a pretty remarkable leap considering the remote proximity we’re dealing with. It’s not like the Grand Canyon where you can drive up and look over the edge.”

Limtiaco and Monument Program Specialist Stephanie Lachance shared some of the recent protection history of the Monument; beginning with the designation of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve in 2000, followed by the designation of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in 2006 and the worldwide recognition afforded by becoming the U.S.’s first and only mixed UNESCO World Heritage site in 2010.

Andy Collins, the Monument’s longtime Education Coordinator believes that awareness and increasing appreciation for the importance of various protections for the region continues to be one of the biggest challenges. He said, “Monument education and outreach programs focus on using Papahānaumokuākea as an example of what’s possible in stewardship and conservation, and to inspire people to take action in their own communities to restore native habitats. Many of these programs also utilize hands-on activities to demonstration restoration thus creating active stewards.”

Papahānaumokuākea uses a variety of field-based experiential learning programs, high quality imagery, video, and compelling presentations to “bring the place to the people, rather than the people to the place.” For example the Navigating Change program is now in its third full year of taking the message of conservation stewardship into Hawai‘i classrooms, with Papahānaumokuākea as an example of what’s possible. Participating schools receive a complete curriculum and students end their involvement by helping restore an identified ecosystem. During the 2010-2011 school year, three O’ahu schools will conduct restoration work at Ka’ena Point, the northwestern-most point of land on the island and one place that closely resembles Papahānaumokuākea. This and other programs are designed to make life-long advocates for this special place. Other educational initiatives available through the Monument include, the ‘Ahahui Alaka’I program, Holo i Moana interdisciplinary cruises, and the Ku’ula program in cooperation with the University of Hawai‘I at Hilo.

The Waikiki Aquarium’s Marine Educators Night, in its fourth year, is partially supported by NOAA’s Ocean Explorers program. 15 different exhibitors had presentations in what the organizer called, “one-stop shopping for any teachers interested in ocean conservation and marine education.” 120 marine educators participated.

As for whether conservation messages in relationship to Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument are having an impact, Limtiaco said, “Teachers are a great barometer for the general public—they tend to be well informed on a variety of subjects, so tapping into that group and saying at least 20% of the population says, “I know something about Papahānaumokuākea; I think is a really good accomplishment given our challenges.”