Marine and Coastal Zone Advocacy Council (MACZAC), Ke Kahu O Na Kumu Wai

Back row, from left: Justine Nihipali (CZM Manager), Lisa Webster (former MACZAC Administrative Assistant), MACZAC members James Coon, Lori Buchanan, Angela Anderson, Robin Kaye, Rich Brunner, Robert Nishimoto, Phil Fernandez (Chair), Nick Palumbo, II, Front row, from left: MACZAC members Sue Sakai and Kimbal Thompson, Photo Credit: Kawai Kauwalu

HRS Chapter 205A-3.5 provides that the Office of Planning must maintain a public advisory body to assist it in working toward the implementation of an integrated and comprehensive management system for marine and coastal zone resources, consistent with the objectives and policies of the Hawaiʻi Coastal Zone Management Act.

MACZAC is comprised of twelve advisory members recruited from the islands of Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, and Hawaiʻi. MACZAC members have diverse backgrounds in business, environment, native Hawaiian practices, terrestrial and marine commerce, recreation, research, and tourism.

MACZAC’s mission statement is: “Advocate for a comprehensive management system which restores, preserves and protects Hawaiʻi’s marine and coastal environment.”

Since its founding in 2001, MACZAC has worked on the mapping of coastal parking access and recommendations regarding shoreline certification, commercial boating regulations, harbor facilities, integrated ocean resource management, cultural resources management, coastal water quality, coastal carrying capacity, marine managed areas, regulatory review, legislative advocacy, public education and outreach, as well as many other marine and coastal issues in Hawaiʻi.

To learn more about MACZAC recent activities, explore the MACZAC Story Map: