K. Angel Pilago - Hawaii County Mayor, 2008

K. ANGEL PILAGO, Executive Director, Kohanaiki 'Ohana, Receives National Wetlands Award

Since 1989, the Environmental Law Institute and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have co-sponsored the National Wetlands Awards Program. Since the 1998 Awards program, co-sponsorship has expanded to include the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service and the USDA Forest Service.*

The Awards are designed to honor individuals from across the country who have demonstrated outstanding innovation and dedication to wetland education, research, volunteerism, land stewardship, and program management. Seven outstanding wetland educators, activists, scientists and conservationists were selected as recipients of the 2002 National Wetlands Awards for their exemplary contributions to the conservation and restoration of our nation's wetlands.

Ka'apikapika Angel Pilago is the founder and Executive Director of the Kohanaiki 'Ohana. Mr. Pilago has a long history of community organizing to protect Hawai'i's fragile natural and cultural resources. He played a key rold in a legal victory that maintains local rights to practice traditional fishing and gathering in the ancialine ponds and wetlands at Kohanaiki in Kona, Hawai'i. This leal itory has led to new laws in the stat of Hawai'i that not only protect wetlands, but also provide strong tools to ensure environmental justice, human rights and public use of resources. The new law requiring Cultural Impact Statements as part of the Environmental Impact Statement is a culmination of years of dedicated work. Building on these legal gains, Mr. Pilago is now working to establish the North Western Hawaiian Islands as a National Marine Sanctuary to protect the coral reef ecosystems and fisheries.

As executive director of the Kohanaiki 'Ohana since 1990, Mr. Pilago has initiated innovative programs empowering the community to take an active role in land stewardship. These projects are important in connecting Hawaiian cultural practices to our environmental resources. His resolve has led a new generation of Hawaiian cultural practitioners to protect traditional practices, natural resources, history and values. In 2000, The Kohanaiki Wetland / Pond Project won National recognition as a FIVE STAR RESTORATION SITE. This project built partnerships between students, landowners, businesses and governmental agencies to foster sustainability for this special place. Because of Mr. Pilago's commitment and dedication, the community was able to negotiate public acquisition of the Kohanaiki lands, ensuring permanent protection of this wetland area.

Congresswoman Patsy Mink accepts Wetlands Award
in Washington, D.C.on behalf of K. Angel Pilago.

K. Angel Pilago Receives National Recognition
for working to protect the anchialine ponds and wetlands at Kohanaiki

The "Anchialine Pond Restoration Project" at Kohanaiki has been designated as a FIVE STAR RESTORATION SITE by:

K. Angel Pilago and the Kohanaiki 'Ohana coordinates this collaborative stewardship project in partnership with:

Na Keiki He'e Nalu o Hawai'i,
The West Hawai'i Explorations Academy students,
U.H.College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources (C.T.A.H.R.)
and the County of Hawai'i.

Work includes identifying native and non-native plants, restoring the ecology of the anchialine ponds for indigenous opae 'ula, beach clean ups and maintaining beach health and sanitation.

Restoration Partners Receive Site Marker

K.Angel Pilago, Kohanaiki 'Ohana;
Curtis Tyler, County of Hawai'i;
Eddie Hui Hui, Na Keiki He'e Nalu o Hawai'i,
Cherine Pai, West Hawai'i Explorations Academy;
Gary Eoff, Kohanaiki 'Ohana;
Glen Fukumoto, U.H. College of Tropical Agriculture
Front Row: Kristen & Nicole Fukumoto

K. Angel Pilago, Executive Director, Kohanaiki 'Ohana was awarded the Governor's Certificate of Appreciation

"Awarded for outstanding contribution to and participation in the stand to Keep Hawai'i Beautiful. Your spirit of participation and action make a difference and Contribute to the quality of our life in Hawai'i. Please accept our gratitude and our highest praise."

K. Angel Pilago, Executive Director, Kohanaiki 'Ohana receives the Governor's award
for helping to keep Hawai'i Beautiful and for protecting an important cultural and environmental resource.

Congressional Award from Hawaii State Representative Patsy Mink, in conjunction with Earth Day Hawaii, '95.

The Malama 'Aina Award recognizes Earth Day Activities, with Na Keiki He'e Nalu, including the Annual Keiki Surf for the Earth Youth Surfing Competition and Beach Cleanup event held at Kohanaiki, as well as the 'Ohana's efforts to protect a cultural and environmentally significant area.