FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Senator J. Kalani English
State Capitol, Room 205
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Phone: (808) 587-7225

PRESS RELEASE
October 25, 2003

SENATORS HOOSER AND ENGLISH TO VISIT THE ISLAND OF NI`IHAU

Protection of Native Subsistence Fishing to be Discussed

Six of the State's eight major islands will be represented when the two State Senators representing multi-island districts, Senator J. Kalani English (D ­ Hana, East & Upcountry Maui, Moloka'i, Lana'i and Kaho'olawe) and Senator Gary Hooser (D ­ Kaua'i and Ni'ihau) visit the Island of Ni`ihau to speak with residents there regarding depletion of fisheries upon which local residents depend for their subsistence. Site visits to Ni'ihau are extremely rare as the island is privately owned. Senator English was invited to join the meeting due to his familiarity with the island and the people of Ni'ihau; his participation is particularly noteworthy as he is the only State Senator of native Hawaiian descent and is a fluent native Hawaiian speaker.

The meeting was called to discuss the severe impact of commercial fishing upon the shoreline fisheries of Ni'ihau that has endangered the subsistence lifestyle there. Senators English and Hooser will discuss the possible formation of a shoreline subsistence zone similar to the one already established on the island of Moloka'i located in the sensitive Northwest area of Mo'omomi.

Senator Gary Hooser, whose district encompasses the Island of Ni`ihau, stated, "the formation of a subsistence zone, similar to the one on Moloka'i is an important issue to the people of Ni`ihau. We are honored that Mr. Robinson and the Ni`ihau 'ohana have invited us to the island to hear what they would like to see happen to protect this beautiful place for not only the current generation, but for the future as well."

"I look forward to meeting again with the people of Ni`ihau, to hear their concerns, and to utilize my ability to speak and understand not only the Hawaiian language, but what it means to be Hawaiian, so that I may serve as a conduit through which my colleagues will be able to relate to the unique needs of the citizens of Ni`ihau and the issues that are important to them," said Senator English. Out of all the major inhabited islands, the residents of Ni`ihau are the only people to use Hawaiian as their primary language.

The visit will take place from 6:45 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on Monday October 27, 2003. Accompanying the Senators will be members of the Robinson Family, the owner of the island, along with Ni'ihau native and advocate Ilei Beniamena.

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