LAHAINA – On Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Kaanapali Makai Watch and The Westin Maui Resort & Spa will host an educational workshop, ‘Ike Kai, designed to inform and engage community members – particularly those associated with resorts and watersports companies – in local resource stewardship.

The workshop will focus on general boating and ocean recreation rules and regulations, as well as aquatic resources rules such as regulated species, gear restrictions and management areas.

This informational workshop also serves as training for those wishing to officially volunteer with the Kaanapali Makai Watch program. An optional component will be incorporated into the workshop for those interested. This opportunity is open to all who would like to learn more about ongoing resource management and conservation on Maui, and how they can play a role in many different ways and settings.

Information to be covered will also include basic ecology about marine life found in the area, and details about the Kahekili Herbivore Fisheries Management Area.

Opportunities to volunteer and participate in other stewardship efforts across the island will also be highlighted.

In this workshop, a special emphasis will be placed on the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation’s (DOBOR) rules, with answers to be provided on the following questions: What is a day-use mooring? What are the regulations for a thrill craft? Are there specific zones for ocean activities? What is a commercial-use permit? For those wanting to learn the answers to these and other boating- and ocean-related questions, this workshop will be an ideal opportunity.

Additionally, ‘Ike Kai is a user-friendly curriculum intended for the general public to gain a better understanding of rules and regulations associated with the Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) and DOBOR. This specific workshop is reaching out to commercial operators and visitor industry employees that operate on or near the ocean.

The workshop will include a brief overview of the workshop and purpose, a review of DAR and DOBOR rules and regulations, natural history of marine resources in the area, and an overview of observation and incident reporting as part of the Makai Watch program. It will conclude with example scenarios of real-life situations from the field.

Presenters will include representatives from the Division of Conservation and Resource Enforcement and the Community Fisheries Enforcement Unit, Division of Aquatic Resources, Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, and Kaanapali Makai Watch.

To participate, register to Kaanapali Makai Watch Coordinator Liz Foote via e-mail (Lfoote@hawaii.rr.com) or phone (808-283-1631). The workshop will be held in the Hale ‘Ike room of The Westin Maui Resort & Spa at 2365 Kaanapali Parkway.

This workshop was made possible with funding and support from the Hawaii Tourism Authority, State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Kaanapali Makai Watch Program, and The Westin Maui Resort and Spa.

The organizers would like to extend a special mahalo to the Westin for supporting the training and involving its staff.

Sulinn Aipa, the Westin’s sustainability champion, shared the resort’s philosophy: “We believe that the well-being of our society and culture are inextricable, tied to the health of our environment. Accordingly, we embrace our kuleana, responsibility, for environmental stewardship and are committed to embody the concept of ahupua’a, which is to take care of all living things from the mountains to the sea, by integrating leading environmental practices and sustainability principles into our core business strategy.”