My name is Kekaulike Prosper Tomich. I am privileged to live and work in my ancestral homeland Kaupulehu. I support the Kaupulehu Marine Life Advisory Committee’s (KMLAC) “Try Wait” proposal for a 10-year rest period followed by a subsistence fishing plan for the near shore at Kaupulehu and adjacent Kukio from Kikaua to Kalaemano from shore to 120 foot depth.
I have been involved with the KMLAC for six years. Hearing arguments for and against this proposal have caused me to do a lot of self-reflection. I hope my words will cause you to do the same.
Many people ask why 10 years? Permanent restrictions on fishing were out of the question for those of us who rely upon fish for our sustenance, health, culture, and livelihood. The KMLAC chose a 10-year rest period in part because of fish life spans.
For example, a he`e (octopus) lives for about 18 months; an arm length kala (unicorn fish) is about 55 years old. A 10-year rest period would allow most species to reach prime sexual maturity and spawn. The off-spring of fish from Kaupulehu will help seed surrounding areas and create great fishing nearby while restoring abundance. It is easier to sustainably fish an abundant fishery than a depleted one like we have now.
The KMLAC discussed and addressed Hawaiian gathering rights, poaching, invasive species, water quality, global warming, and development. The KMLAC is planning to implement a fishing plan to address the current lack of management and has written a draft conservation action plan to address land-based pollution. The families of Kaupulehu and the KMLAC have pledged not to fish in nearby areas during the rest period. This rule proposal is driven by the families of this area, not the developers or resort residents.
We all need to ask ourselves: As kanaka are we more important than the resources we depend on? How do we care for our aina aloha? As pono fishermen do we fully understand the fish and their lifecycles? Do we make sure pono practices are normal? Is the development economy good for Hawaii? What are our personal water footprints? What other footprints are we leaving on this world?
I ask myself these questions regularly, and I believe one of the answers is the Try Wait proposal. He alii ka aina, he kauwa ke kanaka. The land is chief, man is its servant.
Malama pono.
Kekaulike Prosper Tomich is a resident of Kailua-Kona
My Turn opinions are those of the writer and not of West Hawaii Today