NOAA’S HAWAIIAN ISLANDS HUMPBACK WHALE NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY
ANNOUNCES NEW ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary today announced the appointment of seven primary members and eight alternate members to serve on the site’s Sanctuary Advisory Council.

Named to fill open seats are:

Business/Commerce

• Primary member: Terry O’Halloran, Kaua`I
  Alternate: Michael Watson, O`ahu

Citizen At Large

• Primary: David Hoffman, O`ahu
  Alternate: Adam Pack, O`ahu

Commercial Shipping

• Primary: Terry White, O`ahu
  Alternate: Dale Hazelhurst, O`ahu

Conservation

• Primary: Louis Herman, O`ahu
  Alternate: Hank Janpol, Maui

Education

• Alternate: Donna Goodale, Hawai`I

Ocean Recreation

• Primary: Teresa Leicher, Hawai`I
  Alternate: Ann Wright, O`ahu

Tourism

• Primary: Michael Stanton, Hawai`I
  Alternate: Richard Brunner, Maui

Whale Watching

• Primary: James Coon, Maui
  Alternate: Reg White, O`ahu

Established in 1996, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council provides advice and recommendations on managing and protecting humpback whales. The council is composed of 16 government and 15 non-governmental representatives. Serving in a volunteer capacity, the advisory council represents a variety of local user groups, as well as the general public. Sanctuary Advisory Council primary and alternate members serve two-year terms, meeting bi-monthly in public sessions.

The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is administered by a partnership between NOAA and the State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources. The shallow, warm waters surrounding the main Hawaiian Islands constitute one of the world’s most important humpback whale habitats. Approximately two-thirds of the entire North Pacific humpback whale population migrates to Hawaiian waters each winter to engage in calving, nursing and breeding activities.

NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuary Program seeks to increase the public awareness of America’s maritime heritage by conducting scientific research, monitoring, exploration and educational programs. Today, the sanctuary program manages 13 national marine sanctuaries and one coral reef ecosystem reserve that encompass more than 150,000 square miles of America’s ocean and Great Lakes natural and cultural resources.

NOAA’s National Ocean Service manages the NMSP and is dedicated to exploring, understanding, conserving and restoring the nation’s coasts and oceans. The National Ocean Service balances environmental protection with economic prosperity in fulfilling its mission of promoting safe navigation, supporting coastal communities, sustaining coastal habitats and mitigating coastal hazards.

NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources.

On the Web:

NOAA: http://www.noaa.gov

National Ocean Service: http://oceanservice.noaa.gov

National Marine Sanctuary Program: http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov

Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary: http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov