Press Releases

CONTACT:
Kelley Belva
Advisory Council Coordinator
Hawaiian Island Humpback Whale
National Marine Sanctuary
(808) 397-2651, ext. 248

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary today announced the appointment of eight primary members and seven alternate members to serve on the site’s sanctuary advisory council.

“The sanctuary is extremely excited with the selection of these new members,” said Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Manager Naomi McIntosh.  “We look forward to working with them to continue to identify program efforts that enhance protection for Hawaii’s humpback whales.”

Those named to fill open seats are: Jeanne Russell, Kaua`i (education; primary member) ; Elizabeth Kumabe, O`ahu (education; alternate member); Robert Bruck, Maui (fishing; primary); Martin Sands, Maui (fishing; alternate); Sara Peck, Hawai`i  (Hawai`i County; primary) ; Duane Erway, Hawai`i (Hawai`i County; alternate); Bill Friedl, Oahu (Honolulu County; primary);  Barbara Nowak, Oahu (Honolulu County; alternate); Donald Thornburg, Kaua`i (Kaua`i County; primary); Paul Clark, Kaua`i (Kaua`i County; alternate); Cheryl Sterling, Maui (Maui County; primary); Alternate: Robin Newbold, Maui (Maui County; alternate); Kimokeo Kapahulehua, Maui (Native Hawaiian; primary); Marc Lammers, O`ahu (research; primary); and Adam Pack, O`ahu (research; alternate).

Established in 1996, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council provides advice and recommendations on managing and protecting humpback whales.  The council is composed of 16 government and 15 non-governmental representatives.  Serving in a volunteer capacity, the advisory council represents a variety of local user groups, as well as the general public.  Sanctuary advisory council primary and alternate members serve two-year terms, meeting bi-monthly in public sessions.

The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is administered by a partnership between NOAA and the State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources.  The shallow, warm waters surrounding the main Hawaiian Islands constitute one of the world’s most important humpback whale habitats.  Approximately two-thirds of the entire North Pacific humpback whale population migrates to Hawaiian waters each winter to engage in calving, nursing and breeding activities.

The NOAA National Marine Sanctuary Program seeks to increase the public awareness of America’s marine resources and maritime heritage by conducting scientific research, monitoring, exploration and educational programs.  Today, the sanctuary program manages 13 national marine sanctuaries and one coral reef ecosystem reserve that together encompass more than 150,000 square miles of America’s ocean and Great Lakes natural and cultural resources

NOAA's National Ocean Service manages the NMSP and is an office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), an agency of the U.S. Commerce Department. NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources. Through the emerging Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), NOAA is working with its federal partners and nearly 60 countries to develop a global monitoring network that is as integrated as the planet it observes.

On the Internet:
NOAA - http://www.noaa.gov
National Ocean Service - https://oceanservice.noaa.gov
National Marine Sanctuary Program - http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov
Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary - http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov