DOCARE's Observation & Incident Reporting workshop for Makai Watch

by Luna Kekoa 

On June 23^rd the Kaanapali Makai Watch hosted a DOCARE community training at the Kaunoa Center in Lahaina, Maui.  This was the first, in a statewide series, of community meetings to inform the public, community, and Makai Watch volunteers, as to the role of DOCARE in the Makai Watch program.  This was also an opportunity for DOCARE and the community to interact and express concerns about the reporting process and follow up from DOCARE.   

With more than 30 in attendance the meeting brought both rookie and veteran Makai Watch volunteers from West, Central, and South Maui.  There were 8 DOCARE officers that participated in the meeting including the head of DOCARE Randy Awo.  Brooks Tamaye and Matt Yamamoto took the lead for DOCARE and led the audience through a presentation that explained the roles and responsibilities of DOCARE officers.  The presentation included the reporting process for violations and the follow up that occurs with DOCARE.    

Next, the community participated in an exercise consisting of examining pictures to point out both violations and common mistakes with reporting violations, such as not understanding gear restrictions or site specific regulations.  DOCARE ended the evening with displaying confiscated gear that were illegal to allow the community the ability to examine and see first hand what “illegal” fishing gear looks like.

The next step for the Kaanapali Makai Watch is to hold a site specific community meeting to discuss specific site regulations of the Kahekili Herbivore Fisheries Management Area. The meeting is being planned for early October. The statewide series of meetings has completed the second community meeting in Waikiki, Oahu.  There will be more meetings being held on neighboring islands coming soon as well!

To see more photos from the event, check out the facebook album!