Pacific Islands Region Partnerships

The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) Pacific Islands Region (PIR) has formal partnerships, through Memoranda of Agreement (MOA), with local and regional organizations. These MOAs enable collaborations that allow us to accomplish much more than we could alone. We recognize the value of working relationships with a wide range of organizations, and applaud our partners for the programs and projects we support together.

Each partner works with the PIR in a variety of ways. Below is a summary of the key elements of the MOAs. Copies of each signed MOA can be downloaded at the individual links.

University of Hawaii Hilo (PDF, 1MB) and the University of Hawaii at Manoa (PDF, 227KB)
With the University of Hawaii campuses in Hilo and Manoa, we collaborate in scholarly and environmentally based research, education and community outreach.

University of Hawaii Maui College (PDF, 876KB) and the Kauai Community College (KCC) (PDF, 577KB)
With these two neighbor island campuses, we have agreed to: (1) Identify the roles and responsibilities of the Parties for cooperative educational, research and interpretive efforts illustrating the connections between science and education, (2) facilitate mechanisms to formulate education and research partnerships, (3) examine new and innovative partnerships between our two diverse programs, including student internships, fellowship programs, sharing staff, volunteers, guest lectures, facilities, etc.

University of Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) (2014 MOA pending)
The purpose of the PIR's MOA with HIMB is to facilitate collaborative monitoring, research, and data management conducted by the HIMB for use by the ONMS. The new agreement with HIMB is under review, and once approved and signed will begin a new 5-year MOA. This will be the third MOA PIR has had with HIMB.

Waikiki Aquarium (PDF, 271KB)
The Waikiki Aquarium and the PIR work together for the conservation of marine animal and plant species and their habitats. Through appropriate outreach and educational tools, we collaborate to convey to the public a link between the biological, economic, aesthetic, cultural, and other values of the ONMS, to the quality of the life of the American people. Through this MOA we identify and support joint activities based on the shared commitment of the Parties to the conservation of all native fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats.

The Kohala Center (PDF, 424KB)
The agreement establishes a framework for joint participation for science education and research on Hawai‘i Island. We find ways to facilitate the partnership between the Kohala Center on the Big Island of Hawaii and the PIR, and the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.

Tri-Isle Resource and Conservation Development, Inc. (Tri-Isle) (PDF, 402 KB)
With Tri-Isle, the PIR has established a broad framework for joint participation for marine collaboration. We identify and support collaborative work for the mutual of conservation of marine resources.

Outrigger Hotels Hawaii (2014 MOA pending)
Outrigger Hotels Hawaii agrees to establish a broad framework for joint participation for the conservation of marine animal and plant species and their habitats. Through appropriate outreach and educational tools, we will collaborate to convey to the public a link between the biological, economic, aesthetic, cultural, and other values of the ONMS, to the quality of the life of the American people. The MOA identifies and supports joint activities based on our shared commitment to the conservation of all native fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats.

Bishop Museum (PDF, 720KB)
We agree to explore ways to achieve cooperative research, education, and science efforts illustrating natural, maritime and cultural heritage throughout the Hawaiian archipelago, and to consider new and innovative partnerships between our programs, including sharing staff, volunteers, guest lecturers, facilities, etc.

For more information about the PIR partnerships, contact the PIR's Regional Director Allen Tom at allen.tom@noaa.gov.