The Hawaii National Marine Sanctuary Foundation celebrated its one-year anniversary on Feb. 16. The group is the first locally-based chapter of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. It was founded to inspire, educate and engage the people of Hawaii through support
The Hawaii National Marine Sanctuary Foundation celebrated its one-year anniversary on Feb. 16. The group is the first locally-based chapter of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. It was founded to inspire, educate and engage the people of Hawaii through support of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, which is managed jointly by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the State of Hawaii through the Department of Land and Natural Resources. An estimated 10,000 humpbacks visit the sanctuary’s culturally rich and diverse marine ecosystems annually.
“Our goal in our first year was to raise the level of support for the sanctuary,” said Chair Lynette Poncin. “Through community outreach and fundraising, we’re working to protect the endangered humpback whales that depend on healthy sanctuary waters.”
