originally named northwestern hawaiian islands listed encompassing square miles km2 area larger nation germany ocean waters including islands internationally recognized cultural natural values follows area deep traditional significance living native hawaiian culture ancestral environment embodiment hawaiian concept people natural world place believed life originates spirits return death islands archaeological remains relating pre european settlement use monument habitats notable features submerged banks extensive coral reefs largest marine protected areas world description area proclaimed northwestern hawaiian islands president june renamed inscribed list july 34th session world heritage committee area managed partnership state hawaii area inspired names hawaiian creator goddess husband sanctuary ocean area system administered area acres km2 monument administered monument supports species quarter endemic prominent species include threatened green sea turtle endangered hawaiian monk seal duck numerous species plants including species according populations recovered extensive harvesting 1980s 1990s banned remaining fisheries reports species populations fully recovered large scale shift ecosystem regime affected late 1980s early 1990s shift reduced populations important species hawaiian monk seals proclamation calls commercial fishing phase monument receive strict conservation protection exceptions traditional native hawaiian uses limited tourism area administration national monument united states preserves monument covers roughly square miles km2 reefs shallow deep sea miles offshore pacific_ocean larger america combined contains approximately percent tropical shallow water coral reef habitat territory slightly larger australia great barrier reef marine park approximately size country germany slightly smaller montana square miles km2 monument coral reef ecosystem reserve designated monument includes acres km2 sanctuary northwestern hawaiian islands state marine refuge responsible oceanic areas new monument continues manage emergency landing strip flights remains open islands included monument united_states minor area history establishment genesis protected area began february president created response harvesting recognition importance nesting sites status later upgraded president series followed leading establishment coral reef ecosystem reserve president bill_clinton established northwestern hawaiian islands coral reef ecosystem reserve december executive order clinton executive order initiated process designate waters public comment period began governor hawaii declared parts monument state marine refuge april president bush wife viewed screening documentary film voyage white_house director son documentary film maker compelled film portrayal flora fauna region bush moved quickly protect area june president signed proclamation designating waters national monument act act bypassed normal year halted public input process eve draft environmental impact statement proposed second use bush act following declaration february process involvement planning management marine protected area taken years effort abrupt establishment sanctuary provided immediate protection act united_states congress signing proclamation explained importance timely designation interview monument status quicker comprehensive permanent act congress monument designation sanctuary process takes longer involves congressional input public debate hearings meetings obviously decision today actually bold step create going immediate law applies immediately place accounted approximately half locally landed hawaii fish highly valued local consumers fishery limited entry fishery active vessels restricted feet length chair said pleased president recognizes near condition northwestern hawaiian islands waters believe abundance biodiversity area successful management fisheries council past years indicates properly regulated fisheries operate ecosystem small fishery protection president bush pursuing designating area national monument published reports health stocks commercial fishing recreational catch catch release fishing deemed compatible goals objectives proposed national marine sanctuary february president bush amended proclamation giving monument native hawaiian march lady visited march renaming ceremony held washington place honolulu hawaii ceremony secretary interior announced new hawaiian helped raise public awareness monument president bush announced intention submit monument particularly sensitive sea area status alert exercise caution important sensitive hazardous area entering october adopted designation particularly sensitive sea area received committed support delegation particular note contribution author johnson worked designation sea based sources marine pollution environment navigation marine protected areas ship strikes right noise marine mammals protecting coral status january added tentative list proposed sites consideration officially accepted recommendation november mixed site natural cultural resources commented natural features monument assessed cultural aspects national monument inscribed july simply discovery center window monument originally opened restored building moved street blocks legendary historical reopening march displays static interactive educational exhibits focused protected surrounding waters comes hawaiian language means flat low reef island chants referring area known northwestern islands general northwestern islands stretch hundreds miles northwest main hawaiian islands discovery center southeastern island chain youngest away older islands monument salt water displays fish found hawaiian reefs entire wall covered large mural painted local artist depicting coral reef ecosystems found islands created life sized models life sized sharks fish ray hang ceiling exhibit plays recording creation chant hawaiian mythology known signs hawaiian language english admission new center free donations accepted support open tuesday saturday closed federal holidays ongoing research federal researchers continue study monument marine resources expedition reached divers reached feet revealing new species coral animals attempting culture new present exhibit dedicated monument august divers found wreck monument sunk october ran aground running speed ballast researchers map study wreck gallery
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument