In 2013, the state launched the Community Fisheries Enforcement Unit (CFEU) to pilot a more effective approach to protect the near shore marine environment.

This first-of-its-kind state unit — a partnership between the Division of Conservation and Resource Enforcement (DOCARE), Conservation International and the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation — initially focused on a specific stretch of Maui’s coastline and involved dedicated marine enforcement patrols and community engagement.

DOCARE, which is part of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, assigned three field officers, in addition to a Makai Watch coordinator, a program coordinator and a data manager, to this specialized unit to focus on illegal fishing and ocean-use activities via land and vessel patrols.

Through increased enforcement and by educating fishers and the general public of fishing regulations and ocean conservation, this program has had remarkable success, resulting in marine-user compliance at or near 100 percent, dependable follow-up of concerns expressed by residents, increased investigations and fewer observed violations.

Each year, more than 8 million visitors come to Hawaii to enjoy our environment, accounting for $14 billion a year in tourism, the largest contributor (at 21 percent) to Hawaii’s economy.

Researchers have estimated that the coral reefs in the main Hawaiian Islands have a resource value of $10 billion.

More important, no number can be placed on the cultural, spiritual and physical value that our residents derive from our natural environment.

And yet, DLNR receives just 1 percent of the state’s annual budget.

This is a grossly disproportionate amount of support considering the tax revenue generated in part by our natural resources.

In fact, there are fewer than 100 DOCARE officers in the state to patrol more than 3 million acres of marine waters, in addition to the million-plus acres of state-owned lands.

In part due to the lack of funds to ensure robust enforcement, Hawaii’s natural marine resources are in decline. Our nearshore coastal fisheries have declined 75 percent in the past century.

It should be obvious that improving DOCARE’s ability to properly manage and protect our natural resources is essential to maintaining and preserving them. Increasing DOCARE’s budget would directly lead to the protection of the very foundation of our cultural, physical and financial well-being.

One of the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation’s key missions is the protection of our nearshore marine habitats and reefs. The foundation is proud to be able to partner with other conservation groups and the government to achieve those goals. While we applaud the state Legislature’s recent support of some crucial positions within DLNR, we recognize the need for more support — in the form of funding for permanent CFEU positions, which would enable expansion of the marine enforcement patrol and community engagement program to Hawaii island, Kauai and Oahu. This support is vital to ensuring Hawaii’s natural resources are protected and maintained for years to come.

Hawaii residents recognize that our land, ocean and other natural resources play an important role in our daily lives, but the state must do more to ensure their protection.

As we venture to the beach this summer or take a hike on one of our many ridges, let’s not forget the need for more support to protect these natural resources that are vital to our way of life.