HAR §13-60.5-1. Intent and purpose

The department intends: (1) To establish a marine refuge in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands for the long- term conservation and protection of the unique coral reef ecosystems and the related marine resources and species, to ensure their conservation and natural character for present and future generations; (2) To manage, preserve, protect, and conserve the unique resources in the marine refuge, using the best available science and a precautionary management approach to resource protection to minimize risks of possible adverse effects on the regional ecosystem, its biodiversity or its indigenous wildlife in this area, especially where data is limited; 60.5-1 §13-60.5-1 (3) To implement an entry permit program for the area that will cause no harm to the refuge resources and be consistent with the management programs in the adjacent National Wildlife Refuge and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve for this area, that preserves the area by limiting entries and restricting access to specific areas; (4) To support, promote, and coordinate appropriate scientific research and assessment, and long-term monitoring of the refuge resources, and the impacts or threats thereto from human and other activities, to help better understand, protect, manage and conserve consistent with applicable law; (5) To allow Native Hawaiian cultural, subsistence, and religious practices, and identification and coordination of Native Hawaiian interests, that are consistent with applicable law and the long-term conservation and protection of the resources of the marine refuge; (6) To coordinate management and process permit review among the department, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the National Ocean Service, and other entities, as appropriate, to provide comprehensive conservation of the coral reef ecosystem and related marine resources and species throughout the area, consistent with applicable authorities and management principles, including cleanup and prevention of marine debris, restoration or remediation of degraded or injured resources, enforcement and surveillance, management of potential tourism, recreational, and commercial activities and actions needed to ensure they do not degrade the resources or diminish the natural character of the marine refuge; and (7) To be consistent with federal law where federal law is applicable. [Eff 10/10/2005] 60.5-2 §13-60.5-3 (Auth: HRS §§187A-5, 188-37, 188-53) (Imp: HRS §§187A-8, 188-37, 188-53)