Last month when the Zipmobile stalled, drivers lost just 25 percent of H-1 and Oahu’s entire system of roadways was compromised. Most of us saw the impacts of this breakdown firsthand.

But few of us see the breakdown of our coastal systems — the coral reefs and fisheries just offshore that support Hawaii’s culture, economy, recreation and world-class surf. Some reefs have lost 25 percent of their living coral in just the last 10 years, and scientists estimate that Hawaii’s nearshore commercial fisheries have declined 75 percent over the last 100 years.

These trends underscore the need for change. Fortunately, Hawaii’s coral reefs and fisheries are resilient — they can be restored and improved with time and appropriate interventions. And, there is a groundswell of people here who have witnessed these declines, understand the impacts and are stepping up to help the state manage our natural resources for the benefit of all.

So today, as we celebrate Earth Day, The Nature Conservancy applauds our partners — the local communi- ties, government agencies and organizations working together to improve the management and long-term viability of our coral reefs and nearshore fisheries.

We salute Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo (KUA), which provides the backbone of support for E Alu Pū, Hui Mālama Loko Iʻa and the Limu Hui networks. These groups consist of 30-plus malama aina organizations, 40 fishpond restoration projects and 20-plus individual limu loea (masters), respectively. These networks provide creative and community-driven solutions to Hawaii’s environmental concerns by leveraging their shared power and knowledge.

We applaud the Maui Nui Makai Network, whose communities from Maui, Molokai and Lanai are applying Western science and traditional Hawaiian values and stewardship to manage natural resources.

We celebrate Mālama Maunalua, Paepae o He‘eia and Kākoʻo ‘Ōiwi for their commitment to restoring the health of Maunalua Bay and the Heeia ahupuaa in Kaneohe. Their extensive work clearing invasive algae and restoring wetlands, fishponds and taro loi significantly enhances the long-term health of Oahu’s coral reefs, nearshore fisheries and local communities.

And, Hui Maka‘āinana o Makana at Haena, Kauai, and the Kaʻūpūlehu Marine Life Advisory Committee in West Hawaii bring leadership and dedication to restoring local fisheries. Both groups include local community members and fishing families, and have spent more than 20 years working to develop sensible and sustainable fishing regulations. At the public hearing for Haena’s rules, 99 per-
cent of the testimony given was in support. The Haena rules received unanimous approval from the state Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) in December, and now await the governor’s signature.

The proposed Kaupulehu rules were also unanimously approved by the BLNR, and now await an official public hearing. In both cases, the work was informed by historical records, current science, personal observations, extensive consultation with stakeholders and years of compromise. When finally approved, these will be the first-ever rules empowering communities to co-manage marine resources with state government.

All of these efforts bring local communities and government agencies together using traditional management practices and the best available science to manage and restore our precious natural resources. These efforts can help restore abundance to our reefs and fisheries, as they also strengthen connections and goodwill among neighbors.

We celebrate and support these remarkable groups — and a return to collaborative, effective and culturally relevant management of natural resources from mauka to makai.