Waimea-Kalua Maua-Pūpūkea
Marine Life Conservation District
By Butch Helemano
In 1983, three of our most popular North Shore beaches were included in a Marine Life Conservation District (MLCD). Waimea Bay, Kalua-Māua (Three Tables) and Pūpūkea (Sharks Cove) are important biologically, socially, economically and educationally as centers for marine recreation and conservation. To aid the MLCD in its purpose of conserving and replenishing marine species, it was expanded in 2002 to cover over 100 acres. The North Shore community fought hard for the protection and preservation of these cultural and recreational treasures.
No Mall at Sharks Cove
In August 2004 a group of North Shore residents, along with many conservation-minded individuals, formed a group called The Friends of Sharks Cove. The slogan “No mall at Sharks Cove” became the group’s rally cry. Hundreds of supporters united against the developer for its efforts to build a huge shopping mall complex across the street from the MLCD area commonly known as Sharks Cove. The large cove area of the beach park is where the winter waves crash between two opposite ledges, looking like a Polynesian version of the Pillars of Hercules. This majestic spot for wave watching is also part of an area which, in the calm summer months, becomes one of the most popular spots in Hawaii for SCUBA divers.
Spearheading the efforts for enhanced conservation in the area, residents Cora Sanchez and Blake McElheny joined forces to stop unchecked development and prevent future impacts to our wonderful environment.
Hui Mālama o Pūpūkea-Waimea MLCD
In January 2005, Cora from The Friends of Sharks Cove and Blake (from the Community Land Trust gathered together a group of community stakeholders who formed a hui of local residents and conservationists to help curtail future impacts and sustain the natural resources of the MLCD, which also includes Waimea Bay and Kalua Māua (Three Tables). Blake introduced the group to Scott Atkinson, Hawaii Program Director of the Community Conservation Network (CCN). CCN has experience helping coastal communities in Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific region with community-based marine conservation and management projects.
In August 2005, the group coined the name HUI MĀLAMA O PŪPŪKEA-WAIMEA. Faced with adverse conditions of overuse, poaching, pollution, and development, the group created the following vision and mission statement:
“Replenish and sustain the natural and cultural resources of both the Pūpūkea and Waimea Ahupa‘a for present and future generations through active community stewardship, education and public and private partnerships.”
The group, which consists mainly of community members, is supported in part by the Department of Land and Natural Resources including its Division of Aquatic Resources and Division of Conservation and Resource Enforcement.