In July, Gov. Josh Green signed a bill (SB 2907, Act 186) that lays the groundwork for cohesive management of Hawaiʻi’s blue economy—centralizing marine affairs oversight and formally designating the state as a hub for ocean innovation and stewardship. The bill transforms the Marine Affairs Advisory Committee, which has several University of Hawaiʻi members, into the new state Marine Affairs Governing Board; and re-establishes the position of Marine Affairs Coordinator.
“John Craven was the first and, to date, only State of Hawaiʻi Marine Affairs Coordinator,” said Dave Karl, UH Mānoa oceanography professor and director of the Center for Microbial Oceanography: Research and Education in the UH Mānoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) who has been the chair of the Marine Affairs Advisory Committee since Earth Day 2024 and attended the bill signing.
“The re-establishment of this key leadership position is timely and important,” he said. “A key goal is to support marine research and education, and to promote novel blue economy partnerships throughout the state and across the Pacific basin. UH is well-positioned to contribute to this new marine vision.”
Sustainable use of resources, preservation of ecosystems
As shared in the press release, Hawaiʻi’s “blue economy” is defined by the sustainable use of ocean and aquatic resources to support economic growth and job creation, in turn ensuring the preservation of essential marine ecosystems. Hawaiʻi stands as a national leader, driven by its unique position as the only U.S. island state in the Pacific and its long-standing cultural, economic and scientific ties to the ocean.
“SOEST is deeply committed to advancing Hawaiʻi’s blue economy by integrating world-class research with education in ways that strengthen student engagement, expand workforce opportunities, and accelerate innovation,” said SOEST Dean Chip Fletcher. “Our responsibility is not only to generate new knowledge, but to apply those discoveries to improve the resilience and well-being of Pacific communities.”
As shared in the Governor’s office press release, “a centralized office allows the state to focus its efforts on advancing Hawaiʻi’s blue economy while eliminating the fragmented approach of the previous system.”
