Ocean
Managing the Blue Economy and Marine Biodiversity
Overview
Hawaiʻi’s ocean resources are the lifeblood of the islands, providing food, economic
livelihoods, and cultural continuity. This sector extends beyond the reef to encompass
the management of open ocean fisheries, marine spatial planning, and the emerging
potential of ocean energy.
While coral reefs act as the nearshore shield (covered in a separate sector), the broader
Ocean Resources sector focuses on sustainable fisheries management, enforcement
of marine laws, and the “Blue Economy” – ensuring that economic activities like tourism
and aquaculture contribute to, rather than deplete, ocean health. The strategy
emphasizes balancing extraction with regeneration, guided by the Aloha i ke Kai (Love
for the Ocean) principle.
Numbers and Targets
Key Targets by 2030:
- 30x30 Marine Goal: Effectively manage 30% of Hawaiʻi's nearshore waters by 2030 to rebuild fish stocks and protect marine habitats.
- Ocean Stewardship: Generate sustained revenue for ocean conservation through the “Aloha i ke Kai” Ocean Stewardship Fee, collecting $1 per passenger from commercial ocean operators.
- Workforce: Expand the marine conservation workforce to support enforcement, monitoring, and marine spatial planning.
Key Features of Hawaiʻi's Ocean Sector
Sustainable Fisheries
The sector prioritizes the management of nearshore and pelagic fisheries to ensure
food security for local communities. This includes regulating gear, seasons, and catch
limits to prevent overfishing and supporting community-based subsistence fishing areas
(CBSFAs).
Marine Spatial Planning
With competing uses for ocean space – from wind energy and aquaculture to recreation
and shipping – the state is adopting marine spatial planning. This data-driven approach
maps ocean resources to minimize conflicts and protect sensitive habitats.
Ocean Energy Potential
Hawaiʻi is exploring the potential of hydrokinetic energy from waves and tides. While
technologies are still maturing, the consistent power of the Pacific Ocean offers a
promising future source of firm, renewable electricity to complement solar and wind.
The Blue Economy
Hawaiʻi is transitioning toward a regenerative “Blue Economy” where ocean-based
industries (like sustainable tourism and mariculture) actively invest in ecosystem health.
The Aloha i ke Kai program is a prime example, creating a direct financial link between
commercial users and ocean restoration.
Challenges and Opportunities
Challenges
- Enforcement Capacity: Hawaiʻi has a vast ocean area to patrol with limited personnel, making it difficult to enforce fishing regulations and marine protected area rules.
- Resource Conflict: Balancing commercial extraction, tourism recreation, and traditional subsistence rights in limited nearshore waters creates ongoing management challenges.
- Data Gaps: There is a need for better stock assessment data to determine sustainable catch limits for many reef and deep-bottom fish species.
Opportunities
- Dedicated Funding: The Aloha i ke Kai fee provides a stable, non-tax revenue stream dedicated specifically to marine resource conservation and restoration.
- Technology: Using drones, remote sensing, and underwater ROVs can act as force multipliers for monitoring ocean health and enforcing regulations.
- Workforce Development: The ocean sector offers diverse “green job” pathways, from marine biology and law enforcement to ocean engineering and hatchery management.
State and County Actions
State of Hawaiʻi
The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Aquatic Resources
(DAR) manages fisheries, marine protected areas, and the implementation of the 30×30
initiative. The Department of Transportation manages harbors and marine transport
infrastructure.
University of Hawaiʻi
The Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) and Sea Grant College Program provide
critical research and extension services to guide science-based management.
County Actions
Counties support ocean safety and manage beach access. Maui County supports water
quality monitoring that benefits marine life through the Maui Nui Marine Resource
Council.
Measure Description and Scope
| Measure | Description | Measure Scope |
|---|---|---|
| 19. Nature-Based Resilience Solutions | Protect marine ecosystems to enhance resilience. | Fisheries Management: Implement rules to rebuild fish stocks, which graze on algae and keep reefs healthy. Protected Areas: Expand Marine Managed Areas (MMAs) to meet the 30×30 target. |
| 28. Education & Workforce | Build a skilled marine workforce. | Skill Building: Develop training programs for marine spatial planning, fisheries assessment, and conservation enforcement. |
| 26. Monitoring Framework | Track ocean health and usage. | Ocean Health Indices: Monitor key indicators of marine ecosystem function to guide adaptive management. |
Case Studies
Aloha i ke Kai (Ocean Stewardship Fee)
Operationalized in recent years, this program collects a $1 fee from passengers on
commercial ocean vessels (tour boats, surf schools, etc.). The revenue is ring-fenced
for ocean conservation, funding projects like mooring buoy installation (to protect reefs
from anchors) and invasive species removal. It represents a systemic shift toward a
regenerative ocean economy.
Holomua Marine Initiative (30x30)
The state’s flagship marine management strategy, Holomua aims to effectively manage
30% of nearshore waters by 2030. It utilizes a community-based planning process to designate management areas that work for local fishers while ensuring the long-term
sustainability of marine resources.
Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaiʻi Authority (NELHA)
Based in Kona, NELHA is a testbed for ocean innovation. It hosts projects utilizing deep
seawater for aquaculture, sustainable energy (OTEC), and conservation research. It
demonstrates how ocean resources can drive economic diversification and technology
development.
Further Actions
For Individuals
- Fish Pono: Follow all size and season limits; take only what you need to feed your family.
- Report Violations: Use the DLNRTip app to report illegal fishing or nets to the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE).
Sustainable Seafood: Choose seafood species that are invasive (like Ta’ape) or sustainably harvested; consult the Seafood Watch guide for Hawaiʻi.
For Businesses
- Collect the Fee: If you are a commercial ocean operator, ensure you are collecting and remitting the Ocean Stewardship Fee to support the resources your business relies on.
- Green Moorings: TUse day-use mooring buoys instead of dropping anchors to prevent physical damage to the seafloor.
For NGOs
- Makai Watch: Organize or participate in "Makai Watch" programs where community volunteers help monitor marine resources and report irregularities to the state.
- Workforce Training: Organize coastal and reef cleanups to remove ghost nets and plastics that harm marine life.
Resources
State Agencies
- DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) – https://dlnr.ha aii.gov/dar/ The primary agency for managing Hawai’i’s aquatic resources and fisheries.
- DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) https://dlnr.ha aii.gov/docare/ Enforces state laws regarding marine resources and conservation.
County Resources
- Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services – https://www.honol lu.gov/esd/oceansafety.html While focused on safety, lifeguards are often the first observers of ocean conditions and marine life incidents.
Non-Profit Organizations
- Conservation International Hawaiʻi – https://www.conse vation.org/places/hawaii Works on sustainable fisheries and ocean governance.
- Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo (KUA) – https://kuahawaii.org/
Supports community-based subsistence fishing areas (CBSFAs) and marine
stewardship networks.
- Surfrider Foundation Hawaiʻi – https://hawaii.surfrider.org/
Focuses on ocean protection, beach access, and plastic pollution reduction.
Educational Resources and Programs
- UH Sea Grant College Program –https://seagrant. oest.hawaii.edu/ Provides research and community outreach on marine resources.
- Eyes of the Reef – https://eorhawaii.org/
Community reporting network for coral and marine ecosystem health.
Business Resources
- Ocean Tourism Coalition – https://www.ocean ourism.org/ Represents the ocean tourism industry and promotes sustainable practices.
Policy and Advocacy
- Hawai’i Fishermen’s Alliance for Conservation and Tradition (HFACT) https://hfact.org Advocates for responsible fishing rights and conservation.