Mapping by 'ili in the Kaho'olawe Island Reserve: applying traditional Hawaiian land divisions and management tools to modern-day marine resources management

Summary form only given. The Kaho'olawe Island Reserve (KIR) is the largest state-held, contiguous marine reserve in the Main Hawaiian Islands. Due to 50 years of restricted access as a military bombing range, and its current restricted access as a cultural reserve, Kaho'olawe's coastal zone is unique in Hawai'i. The Kaho' olawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC), created in 1993, manages the KIR and holds it in trust for a future, recognized, sovereign native Hawaiian entity. As a cultural reserve, elements of traditional Hawaiian resources management are applied in the KIR. Hawai'i Administrative Rules (HAR 13-261), adopted in July 2002, allow for the establishment of flexible, resource-use kapu (traditional restrictions) in the reserve. Kapu may be established by the Commission, following a public comment period, limiting or completely restricting use of certain fishing equipment, restricting entry and use of certain areas with respect to nesting or spawning seasons, or taking/disturbing specific species. The KIRC Ocean Resources Management Program (ORMP) gathered information on the presence of marine protected species such as kohola (humpback whale), nai'a (dolphin), 'illioholoikauaua (Hawaiian monk seal), manu kai (sea bird), and honu (sea turtle). Databases log over six years of historic sightings, recent incidental sightings, and staff field observations in the KIR. To understand habitat use patterns, accumulated sightings are mapped by 'ili (traditional Hawaiian land division). Mapping facilitates understanding species' distributions and provides data for management recommendations regarding potential, future habitat protections via implementation of kapu in the reserve. Preliminary results identify potentially important habitat areas for several marine protected species.