24 



With the existing amount of red tape bureaucracy to be faced 

 with coastal and open ocean fisheries, any changes to statutes and 

 laws will also impact State, County and even Federal cross-jurisdic- 

 tion. Careful coordination of strategic development will be the key 

 elements. I support the Native Hawaiian involvement in the re- 

 source protection, planning, management, and coordination with 

 governmental agencies. These are critical to the success of this vi- 

 sion. 



Today, the concerns I see come from the Native Hawaiians who 

 have experienced the bounty of the past and want these resources 

 maintain for their future generations. It is a concern that looks at 

 benefits of education, cultural practices, history, economic develop- 

 ment, and self- determination. 



Traditional beliefs and practices can be a valuable resource and 

 can also provide many other positive contributions as a vehicle for 

 economic development, all levels of growth in education, environ- 

 mental enhancement, social rehabilitation, not to mention a source 

 of food production. 



In closing, I would like to say that as a contemporary Hawaiian, 

 I was able to focus my energy and direction back coming by to my 

 traditional roots. As it becomes harder and harder to practice our 

 culture without offending those who are not Hawaiian, I truly be- 

 lieve that the Native Hawaiians, Native Americans, and Pacific Is- 

 landers should be included in the process of determining and ulti- 

 mately managing their own resources. What these indigenous peo- 

 ple knew can make positive contributions in achieving the objec- 

 tives manifested in this legislation, not only for the Native people 

 but for all people. 



Mahalo for this opportunity to testify. 



[Prepared statement of Mr. Keala appears in appendix.] 



Senator Inouye. Thank you very much, Mr. Keala. 



May I now call upon Mr. Poepoe. 



STATEMENT OF KELSON "MAC POEPOE, KUALAPUU, 

 MOLOKAI, HAWAII 



Mr. Poepoe. Good morning, Senator Inouye and Senator Akaka. 

 I am honored to be here to testify before you. 



I support the proposed amendments to the Magnuson Act that 

 would benefit indigenous fishing rights in Native Hawaiian com- 

 munities. As a Native Hawaiian fisherman, I would like to have 

 our Hawaiian fishing rights recognized in all Federal fisheries 

 management plans and actions. I am involved in subsistence fish- 

 eries projects and would like to see amendments which would au- 

 thorize the establishment of native Hawaiian and other indigenous 

 community-based fishery demonstration projects. 



There is a need for Federal funding and assistance for Native 

 Hawaiian/Pacific fisheries projects. It is critical to our survival as 

 a people to be able to practice traditional methods in fisheries re- 

 source management. 



Historically, traditional Hawaiian spiritual beliefs and practices 

 centered around a very complex and detailed management program 

 in which a natural balance was maintained so that there was never 

 a scarcity of ocean products to provide food for the population. This 

 was because care was given to the management of each species. 



