I believe that the President is working to steer a moderate course between protection of the reef and atoll ecosystem and continued commercial and recreational fishing. He has listened to all sides and has taken their concerns into account in his Executive Order. The process of public visioning sessions, the discussion over the future of the islands, and the Executive Order has made us all focus on the health and resilience of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. I believe we will be better able to protect and encourage the islands as a place of refuge for the future.

The NWHI spans a thousand miles and contains most of the exclusive economic zone surrounding Hawaii, as well as the majority of the coral reef resources of the Hawaiian archipelago. Polynesians who came to Hawaii a century ago depended on these islands for food and spiritual purposes. Today much of Hawaii's bottomfish come from this area. An area with the size, cultural significance, and socioeconomic importance of the NWHI demands a comprehensive ecosystem approach using the full range of authorities designed for conserving terrestrial and marine species and their habitats in the islands. I firmly believe that all stakeholders must continue to talk to one another in managing the NWHI.

I support comprehensive protection for this culturally treasured and uniquely endowed ecosystem. For many people the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands are pu'uhonua – a place of refuge, place of peace, renewal and regeneration. I believe we should preserve that for future generations.

I also appreciate the concerns of commercial and recreational fisherman. Existing bottomfishing will be allowed to continue in 8 of the 15 Reserve preservation areas, including the areas around Necker Island, Nihoa Bank, and Gardner Pinnacles, which are productive fishing grounds. The President is requesting public comments for a 30-day period before final decisions are made on permanent Reserve Preservation Areas.

As the reserve takes shape, we are all well-advised to remember that coral reefs are the rain forests of the ocean -- a wild, beautiful, bountiful resource. A healthy reef ecosystem is essential to marine life, including open ocean marine life.