History

In 2013, Hui o Lawaiʻa o Maunalua developed a series of recommendations for Maunalua Bay’s resources. While these recommendations did not directly result in rule changes, they helped lay important foundational groundwork for the establishment of the Fisheries Management Area (FMA).

​

From 2017 to 2025, more than 200 meetings were held to consider a wide range of perspectives and concerns during the drafting of the FMA’s rules. Mālama Maunalua, a non-profit with a mission to restore and conserve Maunalua Bay through community kuleana, worked alongside DLNR’s Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) and Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) were closely involved throughout this process, collaborating with the community and fishers to ensure the proposed rules were both effective and reflective of diverse stakeholder interests. The final proposal balances the need for healthy fish populations with the needs of fishers and recreational users of the Bay.

​

Purpose

A driving motivation of the FMA working group is the understanding that fish are food, in addition to the many ecological and cultural roles they play. The FMA therefore seeks to ensure that current and future generations have fish populations that can be sustainably harvested.

​

Another key element of the FMA is the 10-year sunset provision. While the goal is not to reach the sunset, it is intended to ensure the FMA is effective enough that strong community support will encourage its extension. The sunset provision helps prevent a “set it and forget it” approach—without continued engagement from both the community and DLNR, the FMA cannot succeed.

​

The FMA is designed to balance the needs of multiple stakeholders while ensuring ongoing input and oversight from the Maunalua Bay community. An Advisory Panel, with representation from various stakeholder groups, has been established to provide continued guidance and oversight. Mālama Maunalua will serve as the liaison between the Advisory Panel and the Division of Aquatic Resources.