Pacific Islands Region

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Implementation Team

Previously, the Southwest Regional Implementation Team was responsible for covering the Pacific Islands region. This arrangement, however, was not efficient. Recognizing that many of the Coastal America federal agency partners have offices in Hawaii, it was decided that a separate Pacific Islands Regional Implementation Team (PIRIT) was warranted. A preliminary meeting of PIRIT team members took place in August 1999 in conjunction with a site evaluation for the nomination of the Waikiki Aquarium in Honolulu, Hawaii as a Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center. The PIRIT surveyed the facility to ensure conformance to Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center criteria. The Federal evaluation team consisted of the Navy; NOAA; Air Force; and Army Corps of Engineers. The PIRIT also had an organizational meeting in October at the Waikiki Aquarium to elect regional co-chairs and to initiate the development of a regional strategy for interagency consultation and actions. The team identified several project opportunities and recommended the Waikiki Aquarium be designated a Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center which was accomplished in March 2000. PIRIT meetings were held in March, May and July 2000. The Hanalei community on Kauai, Waipio Community on the big island, and Molokai community were invited to request coastal america endorsement of federal projects in their areas that are being considered as Pacific Island Coastal America projects. The US Fish and Wildlife Service has an endorsed Pacific Island Coastal America project to purchase a floating hydraulic shovel to be used to improve wetlands on Oahu and possibly on other islands in Hawaii in the future. Corporate Wetland restoration support is desired as is Military Innovative readiness support for movement of the equipment from wetland to wetland. IRS support to the Waikiki Aquarium was also requested to help move a large fiberglass aquarium into the facility in Waikiki.

Projects

Hanelei River
Pearl Harbor Watershed Project
Hanelei River
Waianae Coast, HI
Wetlands Information Path, Hickham AFB, HI