Reading this past Sunday’s Honolulu Star-Advertiser, the article entitled "Sign-wavers pan whale refuge plan" caught my attention. A picture of the protesters showed a woman waving a sign that said, "SAVE OUR BAY." I thought that something finally would be done to save our beautiful Maunalua Bay from the overexposure to commercial ventures. But seeing the picture posted in the paper and then reading the article, presented what appeared to be an oxymoron to me.
The people were protesting because of a proposal to have the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) expand the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale Marine Sanctuary by 17 percent in Maunalua Bay. Protesting against NOAA? Do these people not know what the function of NOAA is? NOAA’s research and documentation of our oceans and atmosphere have prompted unheralded and vast reclaiming of polluted and devastated areas around the world.
Who would wave signs and protest against the reclaiming and protection of Maunalua Bay? Maybe it’s the vendors with their Jet Skis and water toys that churn up the bay 10-12 hours every day? We have watched from our backyard as Jet Skiers and boaters chase whales. This happens every year during whale season and day after day. One Jet Skier chased a mother whale with her baby for over 10 minutes until she finally left the bay.
Needless to say, the whales come less often to our beautiful Maunalua Bay. The surfers and paddlers are not chasing the whales and fish from the bay.
The bay was once pristine with crystal clear water, but that was over 15 to 20 years ago. The color of the bay has gone from brilliant and varied shades of blue and turquoise, to tan and brown colors near the shore. We watch as year after year the brown colors near the shore move farther and farther out into the ocean.
Another protestor’s sign said, "NO FISHING?" These protesters were obviously trying to appeal to the fishermen, as if NOAA will prohibit fishing from the shore. The fishermen know there are no more fish in Maunalua Bay. The only fishermen you see at the bay are the old men who fished there many, many years ago. If you ask them if they catch anything, the answer is always the same: "No more fish in the bay." I know this first-hand because I am married to one of those old men.
These protesters are not protesting to save Maunalua Bay. These people are protesting to save their bank accounts. They are protesting because some people are truly trying to save the bay and reaching out to NOAA for help.
Strangely, I owe a big "mahalo" to the sign-waving protesters. Without them, our attention would not have been drawn to this sad situation.
NOAA wants to help save our beautiful bay, and only then, maybe, will the whales come back.
Kathryn Wood-Meyer is a retired real estate sales and management executive and a resident of Hawaii Kai.
