OHA’s statement on the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s report summary on national monuments

HONOLULU (August 24, 2017) – OHA recognizes that Interior Secretary Zinke and the Department of the Interior were tasked with an enormous undertaking in reviewing the presidential actions relating to 27 national monuments, including the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. We believe it was appropriate that the Secretary opened a formal public comment period in acknowledgment of the gravity of this initiative. We understand that the public comments received during this process were “overwhelmingly in favor of maintaining existing monuments,” and we are optimistic that the Secretary’s final report will reflect this fact and that all of his recommendations are clearly explained.

We look forward to seeing the final report released to the public so that all stakeholders have the opportunity to review it.

OHA continues to stand firmly behind the countless Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners, scientists, conservationists and others who called for the creation and recent expansion of Papahānaumokuākea. OHA strongly believes that the current size, protections and management structure of the monument – including OHA’s role as co-trustee – must be maintained in order to preserve the unique historic, cultural and scientific elements of the region.