After the designation in 1992, the Director formed a commission to oversee how the Sanctuary is working, with a commitment to review the sanctuary and the state's role on a regular basis. The sea turtle, a threatened and protected species is being released into the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary - which border's the hotel coastline. Senator Akaka was instrumental in the Sanctuary's creation in Congress. The habitat of the sanctuary off of the Kona coastline on the Big island includes a mixture of sand and gravel substrate mixed with a coral reef habitat - a perfect place for adult sea turtles to be found. In addition to the open ocean environment of the whales, we need to understand the extent and health of our coral reef systems.
Reefs are biological keystones.
They play a vital role in maintaining the structural integrity of our islands. I hope the Sustainable Seas Expedition can promote better understanding of our reef areas, too. Coral reefs generate billions of dollars in tourism and are critical to the biological diversity of the greater Pacific Ocean. Coral reefs are treasure chests for biotechnology products based on naturally occurring substances. According to NOAA, almost 85 per cent of all coral reef areas under U.S. jurisdiction are in the Northwestern and main Hawaiian Islands.