Maui Information Exchanges
Maui Information Exchanges
The Maui Navigation Team, a community-nominated group of Maui residents, has been developing draft management recommendations for the nearshore waters of Maui with support from the Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR). The proposal includes management actions that promote pono practices, align and expand restoration activities, strengthen monitoring, and continue supporting place-based priorities. In September 2024, the Holomua Marine Initiative and the Navigation Team hosted three Information Exchange sessions to gather preliminary community feedback on the draft recommendations. They then sought additional input on the revised proposal during the summer of 2025.
Draft Maui Navigation Team Management Recommendations (PDF)
The Maui Navigation Team has shared their proposal with Maui community members and are now updating based on feedback to advance to the rule-making process.
If you have additional feedback to share or questions on the draft proposal, you may also directly contact the Maui Navigation Team members below:
- Darrell Tanaka: [email protected]
- Maile Shannon: [email protected]
- Greg Czar: [email protected]
- Brian Ventura: [email protected]
Kīhei & Pukalani Information Exchange Sessions
On August 6th and September 3rd, 2025, the Maui Navigation Team held their second round of Information Exchange Sessions at the Kīhei Community Center and Mayor Hannibal Tavares Pukalani Community Center. Members of the Navigation Team presented an updated draft of their management proposal based on feedback received from the first round of sessions that were hosted in fall of 2024.
Around 20 community members attended the Kīhei meeting, which was made up of mostly recreational fishers and other residents who were interested in learning more about the proposal. Since there was a smaller crowd, the Navigation Team was able to walk through their proposal line-by-line with the community to answer any questions.
Approximately 50 community members attended the Pukalani meeting, which had been re-scheduled from the original date due to the statewide tsunami warning. The larger turn out created an opportunity for ample questions and a lot of feedback to consider. Representation from the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) and DAR were also present at this meeting, providing answers to specific questions from community members.
During both Information Exchange sessions, a paper feedback form and a Google link were shared with attendees to collect additional feedback and allow the opportunity for them to share their thoughts on each proposed management action. Feedback was generally supportive of the management actions proposed by the Navigation Team, while topics such as kole, ‘opihi, uhu, and surround nets sparked more discussion. Click on the image below to view a full summary of feedback received during the meetings, including all comments that were submitted.
Click to view Feedback Summary ➡️
All feedback and input received from these sessions are now being carefully considered, and the proposal will be revised again as appropriate. Stay tuned for the updated proposal and for more upcoming opportunities to provide your mana‘o!
Hāna Information Exchange Session 2024
Fishers, cultural practitioners, and ocean users gathered at Helene Hall on September 24, 2024 to hear the Maui Navigation Team’s draft nearshore management recommendations. After the Navigation Team’s presentation, a collaborative forum for dialogue and conversation was opened where the community members in attendance could share their manaʻo and feedback.
Lahaina Information Exchange Session 2024
On September 25, 2024, DAR Holomua Marine Initiative hosted their second Information Exchange at Lahaina Intermediate School. They were joined by community members who fish for recreation, subsistence, and cultural purposes, as well as a few non-fishers with personal connections to Maui waters. After the Maui Navigation Team presented the draft management proposal, the floor was turned over to the community members in attendance so they could share their thoughts and feedback, helping to strengthen this unique, community-driven approach to nearshore marine resource management.
Kahului Information Exchange Session 2024
On September 26, 2024, the Maui Navigation Team presented their draft management proposal in Kahului at Maui Waena Intermediate. They were joined by nearly 70 community members which included fishers, commercial tour operators, cultural practitioners, and other Maui ocean users. Following the presentation, attendees participated in meaningful discussions that allowed them to voice their concerns and ask the Navigation Team questions on the management proposal.
The Holomua Marine Initiative is designed to support communities that want to effectively manage their nearshore marine resources in collaboration with DAR and other partners. Part of this process is to empower voices across each moku on every island to identify management concerns and develop prioritized solutions. By engaging with community partners, government, and non-government groups, we can work together towards holistic, science-informed, community-led solutions.
Maui community members share more about themselves
Community members were asked to share with us about the various ways they fish and interact with the nearshore ocean during the Information Exchange Sessions. Below are photos of the results that were captured through posters used at the sessions.
Teach Us Boards
Mahalo nui!
The Maui Navigation Team would like to extend a heartfelt mahalo to everyone who attended the Information Exchanges and took time to share their perspectives and feedback. Next, based on the comments received during these sessions, the Navigation Team will further revise the proposal to reflect the priorities and needs of the Maui community.
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ʻAʻohe hana nui ke alu ʻia.
No task is too big when done together by all.
– Mary Kawena Pukui, ʻŌlelo Noʻeau #142
