Sanctuary Advisory Council Recruitment
Now Accepting Applications!
Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is currently seeking interested individuals for seats on the Sanctuary Advisory Council.
The sanctuary is accepting applications for the following seats:
- Business/Commerce (primary)
- Commercial Shipping (primary & alternate)
- Conservation (primary & alternate)
- Education (primary & alternate)
- Fishing (primary & alternate)
- Hawai‘i Island Representative (primary & alternate)
- Kaua‘i Island Representative (primary & alternate)
- Lāna‘i Island Representative (primary & alternate)
- Maui Island Representative (primary)
- Moloka‘i Island (primary & alternate)
- Native Hawaiian (primary & 2 alternates)
- O‘ahu Island (alternate)
- Ocean Recreation (primary & alternate)
- Research (primary)
- Tourism (primary & alternate)
- Whale Watching (primary & alternate)
- Youth (primary & alternate)
The council ensures public participation in sanctuary matters and provides advice to sanctuary management.
“The members of our sanctuary advisory council are essential to ensuring community input and engagement in our sanctuary management,” said Kim Hum, sanctuary superintendent. “We rely on their local knowledge, experience, and expertise to assist us in making informed and timely decisions on how best to protect and conserve humpback whales and their habitat as well as important cultural and other natural resources.”
Candidates are selected based on their expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying, community and professional affiliations, and views regarding the protection and management of marine resources. Applicants who are chosen as primary or alternate members should expect to serve a three-year term.
The deadline for submitting applications is by 5:00 p.m. HST on Friday, September 1, 2023. Instructions and the application form can be downloaded below. Before submitting the application, please read the Council Charter to familiarize yourself with the council's roles and responsibilities. Please note this is an unpaid volunteer position with potential for significant community and conservation impact. If you have any questions about recruitment please contact Sara Wood, Sanctuary Advisory Council Coordinator, via e-mail at Sara.Wood@noaa.gov or by phone at 808-807-2557.
Additional information about sanctuary advisory councils, as well as links to council charters and the National Advisory Council Handbook, can be found on the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries website.