Sunday, June 07, 2009
I ventured back to the Hawaiian Islands in 2009 for a 10-day expedition with a cohort designed to learn about and explore the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. My adventure began in Honolulu, Oahu with a few days of preparation before departing to the
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and
Midway Atoll, located 1200 miles west of Oahu. The map shown above illustrates my starting location (Main Hawaiian Islands), and Midway Atoll, which is located on the far western end of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
Papahānaumokuākea (Pa’ – pa – hah’ – no – mo – koo’ – ah – kay’- ah) is the name given to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and is a combination of the Hawaiian word for “mother earth” and “father.” In 2003, President Bush approved this region as the Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Monument. In 2008, NOAA began an education/outreach program, Papahānaumokuākea ‘Ahahui Alaka’i (PA’A), to promote conservation of this delicate ecosystem and its cultural history. ‘Ahahui (Ah’ – hah – who ‘ – ee) means “stewardship” and Alaka’i (Ah – lah – kah’ – ee) means “ambassador”. The goal of the PA’A Project is to encourage others (including me) to design similar strategies of conservation and stewardship in our own “backyards”. Learn more about the goals and background for the PA’A Project at this website:
REVIEW TOPIC: (In addition to my daily blog and photos, a review topic is posted with engaging questions in hopes that you will join me as a lifelong learner. Take a virtual tour of Midway Atoll and enjoy the journey.)