LIHUE — A presentation and talk story tonight explores how two individuals, along with the native community, helped shape a new direction for the national marine sanctuary in American Samoa. Featured speakers are Gene Brighouse, superintendent for the National Marine
LIHUE — A presentation and talk story tonight explores how two individuals, along with the native community, helped shape a new direction for the national marine sanctuary in American Samoa.
Featured speakers are Gene Brighouse, superintendent for the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa, and High Talking Chief Atuatasi Lelei Peau, who served as the deputy director of the American Samoa Department of Commerce during the sanctuary expansion.
Learn how territorial co-managers and sanctuary staff developed an effective village/community protocol and engaged villages, resulting in the formation of the largest of the 13 national marine sanctuaries in the U.S.
Brighouse, who was raised in Samoa, has been sanctuary superintendent of the Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary since 2008. Prior to that, she worked for the American Samoa Department of Commerce/American Samoa Coastal Management Program for 18 years.
She has a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, with an emphasis in environmental planning.
High Talking Chief Atuatasi is a ranking high chief from the village council of Fagasa. He served as the deputy director of the American Samoa Department of Commerce, the co-management office for the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa, and holds a degree in political science from the University of California at Los Angeles.
“Cultural Respect & Community Involvement — Fogava’a e tasi i Amerika Samoa” is from 6 to 8 tonight at King Kaumualii Elementary School Cafeteria, 4380 Hanamaulu Road, in Hanamaulu. The event is sponsored by the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa and the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.
