Kahoolawe planners
vote for fishing ban

Maui fishermen oppose a total ban,
but supporters worry about enforcement

By Gary T. Kubota
Star-Bulletin

WAILUKU -- No fishing would be allowed in waters off Kahoolawe for at least a year, under a policy supported last night by the commission developing an ocean recreation plan for the island.

The Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission voted 6-1 in favor of a ban, despite numerous appeals from Maui residents to open the waters to fishing.

The commission is expected to send the proposed rule to a public hearing as early as the end of this year, after its staff completes an ocean resource management plan.

Meanwhile, temporary rules remain in effect allowing trolling two weekends a month.

Residents have criticized the commission for proposing more restrictions on fishing than when the U.S. Navy controlled the island and allowed trolling and bottom-fishing one weekend a month.

"You taking food from some of the brothers," said fisherman Anthony Ventura.

"For the past two years, we haven't fished the island."

Ventura reminded commissioners that several Maui boat owners helped the Protect Kahoolawe Ohana in its fight to return the island to the state.

"You guys got the island now," Ventura said. "Now, we've got nothing."

Leslie Kuloloio, an Ohana member and Makena resident, said he supported a no-fishing rule during the cleanup of ordnance on the island.

Kuloloio recalled how his family endured the fishing closure of Ahihi Bay to save resources in this south Maui region and he feels the same way about Kahoolawe.

"It's important for all of us to sacrifice," Kuloloio said.

In taking the action last night, the commission abandoned its staff's proposal to allow trolling and blue-water diving.

Supporters of the no-fishing rule said they felt preserving the ocean resources was important for future generations of native Hawaiians. They noted that under state law, the island is to be turned over to a future native Hawaiian sovereign entity.

"To me, that's something that's important to keep in mind," said Michael Wilson, a commissioner and chairman of the state Board of Land and Natural Resources.

Commissioner Palikapu Dedman, a Protect Kahoolawe Ohana member, said fishing was not contemplated when activists battled to reclaim the island from the federal government.

Dedman and Wilson said they were doubtful about being able to enforce a rule that allowed limited fishing.

"We have about the worst resource management program in the United States," Wilson said. "We don't do enforcement here in Hawaii."

Isaac Harp, a member of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, said statistics show a need for closing Kahoolawe waters to bottom-fishing to save the onaga and ehu.

"We need to save something for the future," Harp said.