A diverse group of individuals -- a lawyer, a teacher, a dive instructor, a former president of the local college, a former director of the Division of Environmental Quality, a small business owner and a community organizer -- have been elected as the first directors of the Friends of the Monument.
The Friends of the Monument previously had three officers, but the group is expanding as the role of their organization expands.
“Last year our main focus was building local support for the monument and showcasing that support to the decision makers in Washington, DC,” explained Director Ignacio Cabrera.
The organization has plans to set up as many as six committees to fulfill the vision they outlined in their October 2008 Vision Statement, but for now will focus on three areas: Outreach & Education, working with the local government, and working with the federal government.
“Our organization plans on being involved with the management of the monument,” said Director Agnes McPhetres. “It is so important that the people of the Marianas, and not just a handful of political appointees, get to have their say in how this monument is managed.”
The new Directors are Cabrera, McPhetres, Bryan Jones, Jane Mack, Laurie Peterka, Mike Tripp, and Angelo Villagomez. The directors will elect officers during their next Board of Directors meeting scheduled for this month.
The Friends of the Monument were the main proponents of the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument, a 95,000 square mile marine protected area designated by President George W. Bush on January 6, 2009. More information of the Friends of the Monument can be found online at http://marianamonument.blogspot.com.
Showing posts with label Ike. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ike. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
2009 EPA Environmental Award
Ike and I accepted the 2009 EPA Environmental Award today on behalf of the Friends of the Monument.
U.S. EPA Honors 4 Environmental Heroes from Hawaii, Pacific Islands
Release date: 04/16/2009
Contact Information: Wendy Chavez, 415 947 4248
40 groups and individuals recognized for outstanding achievement in protecting the environment
SAN FRANCISCO -- During the agency's 11th annual Environmental Awards Ceremony in San Francisco today, U.S. EPA acting Regional Administrator Laura Yoshii recognized four organizations and individuals from Hawaii and the Pacific Islands in recognition of their efforts to protect and preserve the environment in 2008.
“It is a great pleasure and honor that we can recognize the innovative and important environmental work achieved by this year’s impressive group of organizations and individuals, and the example they set for all of us to follow,” Yoshii said. “This year's winners and nominees have made superb efforts to protect and preserve our air, water and land, and increased awareness of the environmental challenges we all face.”
The Pacific Southwest’s Environmental Awards program acknowledges commitment and significant contributions to the environment in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, Pacific Islands and tribal lands. Forty groups and individuals were selected from over 200 nominees received this year from businesses, local, government officials, tribes, media, environmental organizations and community activists.
The Hawaiian and Pacific Islands winners are:
Laura Andersen
West Hawaii Youth Fisheries Council
Hualalai Academy
Kailua-Kona, HI
In an effort to clean up local beaches, smoking was banned at all Hawaii County Parks in 2008. This was a result of several years of efforts by middle and high school students of the West Hawaii Youth Fisheries Council at Hualalai Academy. The council first initiated a law to ban smoking at Kahalu'u Beach Park. As part of a beach clean-up, they collected over 2,000 cigarette butts in 30 minutes at the beach to demonstrate the magnitude of the problem. They spent months doing research, gathering petition signatures and testifying more than six times before the Hawaii County Council. The students helped write the bill to ban smoking at the beach park, which was approved unanimously at every step. Kahalu'u Beach Park was the first smoke and tobacco-free beach on the Big Island of Hawaii, and Hawaii was the first county in the state to ban smoking at all county parks.
David "Buddy" Nobriga
West Maui Soil & Water Conservation District
Kahului, HI
Born and raised on his family farm in Maui, Buddy Nobriga has dedicated over 50 years to the conservation of Hawaii’s natural resources. In 1956, he founded the West Maui Soil and Water Conservation District, the first in the county. His passion for protecting the environment of West Maui has had lasting benefits for the watershed. In recognition of his strong leadership skills and commitment to the community and the environment, Nobriga was appointed to many state boards and commissions. Nobriga, now retired, provided the needed leadership on the importance of controlling polluted runoff. The EPA is deeply grateful for his leadership, zeal, guidance and solid support for advancing the polluted runoff program and his devotion to environmental stewardship.
Friends of the Monument
Saipan, MP
Friends of the Monument was formed to help promote the idea of creating a national marine monument in the waters around the three northernmost islands of the Northern Mariana Islands. The Friends of the Monument engaged in activities to help educate the community --distributing leaflets, conducting meetings, and coordinating with teachers for classroom presentations. The organization gathered more than 6,000 signatures on petitions in support of the designation of a Monument. The Friends sent representatives to Washington, D.C. to meet with White House officials, and participated in television and radio public service announcements and advertising. Ultimately, they were instrumental in the process that resulted in former President George W. Bush designating the Marianas Trench Marine Monument, along with three larger national marine monuments.
Betwin Alokoa, Karl Olson and Mercy Muña
Guam EPA Pesticides Program
Barrigada, GU
The Guam EPA Pesticides Program, led by Betwin Alokoa, Karl Olson, and Mercy Muña, often goes above and beyond what is required. They’ve been instrumental in preventing unlawful pesticides from entering Guam ports, being sold on the island, and applied to crops. Their notable achievements include completing revisions to the 25 year-old Guam Pesticides Act, and getting quick approval by the legislature and governor. They followed up with 14 stakeholder meetings to explain the new requirements, and their experiences in the field are reflected in the new, more protective laws. They’ve also increased the number of pesticide inspections at farms, resulting in improved compliance and better protection for consumers. In addition, they’ve trained Guam’s customs and quarantine officers to detect illegal pesticides to prevent them from coming ashore, have provided similar training for customs, quarantine, and health officers in the Northern Mariana Islands.
For the complete list of winners, visit: http://www.epa.gov/region09/awards. Beginning today and throughout the coming weeks, a series of blogs will feature several of the winners at: http://blog.epa.gov/blog/2009/04/16/pacific-southwest-environmental-awards-we-are-inspired/
###
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Former First Lady Thanks Friends of the Monument
Monumental moment: Friends of the Monument's Agnes McPhetres presented then-First Lady Laura Bush with Mariana Trench t-shirts on the day the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument was created by then-President George W. Bush.SAIPAN, Northern Mariana Islands – Former First Lady Laura Bush recently wrote to the Friends of the Monument thanking them for their role in supporting the creation of the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument.
The letter, embossed with the official White House seal reads, “We are pleased that you joined us at the White House for the signing of the proclamation to create the Pacific Marine National Monuments. Your gifts will always remind us of your support throughout the process that led this special occasion.”
Friends of the Monument’s Agnes M. McPhetres presented then-first lady Bush with two orange Mariana Trench Monument t-shirts after the monument declaration signing in Washington, DC on January 6, 2009.
The former first lady added, “Conservation and protection of our ocean resources is vitally important to our nation and the world. I am proud of the accomplishments of my husband’s Administration to protect America’s oceans. He joins me in sending best wishes to your organization for future success in advancing marine conservation.”
The letter from the former first lady included an autographed photo of her and former President George W. Bush.
Friends of the Monument’s Angelo O. Villagomez said of the letter, “I am really proud of our people. We are showing the world how local actions can have global consequences. Even the former President of the United States and his first lady know about our work here.”
The Friends of the Monument were the main proponents for a marine monument in the Marianas. When local elected leaders were not receptive to the idea of a marine monument, the Friends started a petition drive and collected over 6000 signatures from local residents. They also gained endorsements from the business community and prominent community leaders.
The islands’ political establishment ultimately supported the monument. According to a statement issued by Governor Benigno R Fitial on the day of the designation, “I welcome President Bush's historic announcement establishing the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument…Over the past few months, I have been actively engaged in discussions with the White House Council on Environmental Quality regarding the objectives and scope of the proposed monument. I have been joined in these discussions by President Pete Reyes of the Commonwealth Senate and Speaker Arnold Palacios of the Commonwealth House of Representatives.”
When asked about what he was going to do with the letter, Friends of the Monument’s Ignacio V. Cabrera said, “I’m going to hang it on my wall at home so that I can remember all we have accomplished.”
Silly grin: Friends of the Monument's Angelo Villagomez and the letter from Laura Bush.Friends of the Monument officers Agnes M. McPhetres, Ignacio V. Cabrera, and Angelo O. Villagomez were on hand to witness the historic monument declaration this past January.
The Friends of the Monument formed in the Spring of 2008 to express the voice of the local community and consists of a cross-section of indigenous and resident people of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands who are dedicated to the conservation, preservation and protection of marine flora, fauna and geological features of the oceans; and the creation and proper management of a Marianas Trench Marine National Monument.
More information on the Friends of the Monument and the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument can be found at http://marianamonument.blogspot.com.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Monday, October 27, 2008
Friends of the Monument Press Release
Friends of the Monument Release Petition with over 5500 signatures
21 October 2008
Contact:
Ike Cabrera: inac1@pticom.com; (670) 256-5648 (h); 483-8426 (m)
Agnes McPhetres: agnesm42@gmail.com; 670-235-2430 (h)
Andrew Salas: andrewssalas@hotmail.com; 670-285-3740 (c); 233-8200 (o)
Saipan — Today the Friends of the Monument (FOM), a coalition of indigenous and resident people of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) who support designation and protection of the waters of the Mariana Trench* announced they have met their petition goal in support of a protected marine monument.
“More than 5500 local residents of the CNMI signed our petition in support of designating a monument in the waters around the three northernmost islands of the Mariana Islands,” said Ike Cabrera Chairman of FOM. “We will be submitting these signatures to the federal government this week as part of the comment period announced by President Bush.”
Andrew Salas, FOM vice chair, pointed out the significance of the thousands of signatures. “It wasn’t easy but over 60 individuals spent four months gathering the signatures. Our islands only have about 12,000 registered voters, and 65,000 residents. Fifty-five hundred signatures represent a tremendous endorsement of the marine conservation and the monument idea.”
On August 25, 2008 President George W. Bush directed his federal agencies to assess several sites in the Pacific for increased conservation and protection, including the possible designation of new marine monuments. One of the sites identified by the White House is a portion of the Mariana Trench within Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and adjacent waters. A proposal for protecting this area of more than 115,000 square miles has been debated in the CNMI for almost a year.
“Now that thousands of people in CNMI have spoken out in support of a marine monument,” continued Agnes McPhetres, Vice Chair of the FOM, “we would like to see more support for the concept from our elected officials. It’s an opportunity we shouldn’t pass up”
Concluded Cabrera, “We have worked hard to demonstrate to the federal government that the people of the CNMI support marine conservation and the proposed monument. We hope they listen.”
*The Mariana Trench is the deepest point on the globe at over 36,000 feet deep. Mt. Everest dropped into the Trench would have more than a mile of water above it.
Friends of the Monument Web site: http://marianamonument.blogspot.com
##########
21 October 2008
Contact:
Ike Cabrera: inac1@pticom.com; (670) 256-5648 (h); 483-8426 (m)
Agnes McPhetres: agnesm42@gmail.com; 670-235-2430 (h)
Andrew Salas: andrewssalas@hotmail.com; 670-285-3740 (c); 233-8200 (o)
Saipan — Today the Friends of the Monument (FOM), a coalition of indigenous and resident people of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) who support designation and protection of the waters of the Mariana Trench* announced they have met their petition goal in support of a protected marine monument.
“More than 5500 local residents of the CNMI signed our petition in support of designating a monument in the waters around the three northernmost islands of the Mariana Islands,” said Ike Cabrera Chairman of FOM. “We will be submitting these signatures to the federal government this week as part of the comment period announced by President Bush.”
Andrew Salas, FOM vice chair, pointed out the significance of the thousands of signatures. “It wasn’t easy but over 60 individuals spent four months gathering the signatures. Our islands only have about 12,000 registered voters, and 65,000 residents. Fifty-five hundred signatures represent a tremendous endorsement of the marine conservation and the monument idea.”
On August 25, 2008 President George W. Bush directed his federal agencies to assess several sites in the Pacific for increased conservation and protection, including the possible designation of new marine monuments. One of the sites identified by the White House is a portion of the Mariana Trench within Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and adjacent waters. A proposal for protecting this area of more than 115,000 square miles has been debated in the CNMI for almost a year.
“Now that thousands of people in CNMI have spoken out in support of a marine monument,” continued Agnes McPhetres, Vice Chair of the FOM, “we would like to see more support for the concept from our elected officials. It’s an opportunity we shouldn’t pass up”
Concluded Cabrera, “We have worked hard to demonstrate to the federal government that the people of the CNMI support marine conservation and the proposed monument. We hope they listen.”
*The Mariana Trench is the deepest point on the globe at over 36,000 feet deep. Mt. Everest dropped into the Trench would have more than a mile of water above it.
Friends of the Monument Web site: http://marianamonument.blogspot.com
##########
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Press Release from the Friends of the Monument
Friends of the Monument Release Signature Advertisement
20 October 2008
Contact:
Ike Cabrera: inac1@pticom.com; (670) 256-5648 (h); 483-8426 (m)
Agnes McPhetres: agnesm42@gmail.com; 670-235-2430 (h)
Saipan — Ike Cabrera, Chairman of the Friends of the Monument, today announced the publication of a 4-page “signature” advertisement in the Saipan Tribune and Marianas Variety with over 2500 people from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).
“The fact that so many local people are willing to speak out on this issue shows how important it is for the future of CNMI,” stated Ike Cabrera, chairman of Friends of the Monument. “We want this advertisement to demonstrate to the visiting federal officials the enormous public support there is for the proposed Mariana Trench Marine Monument.”
Friends of the Monument Vice Chair Agnes McPhetres said, "Signatures for the advertisement were gathered over the past four months by more than 60 volunteers. It’s been a real grassroots effort by many many people.”
The Friends of the Monument will be welcoming James Connaughton, Chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, Lyle Laverty, Assistant Secretary of the Interior and Tim Keeney, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce.
A public meeting will be held in Saipan on Monday October 20, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. In addition the Washington DC delegation will meet with the Governor, the Legislature and many local groups.
The proposal for designating a marine monument in CNMI waters under the Antiquities Act of 1906 is under consider by the Bush administration. The proposal includes possible conservation and protection of the waters surrounding the northernmost CNMI islands and portions of the Mariana Trench, the deepest point on the globe.
Friends of the Monument formed in the spring of 2008 to express the voice of the local community in CNMI. Its membership is made up of a cross section of indigenous and resident people of the CNMI who are dedicated to the conservation, preservation and protection of marine life and geological features of nearby waters and the proper management of the proposed Mariana Trench Marine National Monument.
Friends of the Monument Web site: http://marianamonument.blogspot.com
##########
20 October 2008
Contact:
Ike Cabrera: inac1@pticom.com; (670) 256-5648 (h); 483-8426 (m)
Agnes McPhetres: agnesm42@gmail.com; 670-235-2430 (h)
Saipan — Ike Cabrera, Chairman of the Friends of the Monument, today announced the publication of a 4-page “signature” advertisement in the Saipan Tribune and Marianas Variety with over 2500 people from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).
“The fact that so many local people are willing to speak out on this issue shows how important it is for the future of CNMI,” stated Ike Cabrera, chairman of Friends of the Monument. “We want this advertisement to demonstrate to the visiting federal officials the enormous public support there is for the proposed Mariana Trench Marine Monument.”
Friends of the Monument Vice Chair Agnes McPhetres said, "Signatures for the advertisement were gathered over the past four months by more than 60 volunteers. It’s been a real grassroots effort by many many people.”
The Friends of the Monument will be welcoming James Connaughton, Chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, Lyle Laverty, Assistant Secretary of the Interior and Tim Keeney, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce.
A public meeting will be held in Saipan on Monday October 20, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. In addition the Washington DC delegation will meet with the Governor, the Legislature and many local groups.
The proposal for designating a marine monument in CNMI waters under the Antiquities Act of 1906 is under consider by the Bush administration. The proposal includes possible conservation and protection of the waters surrounding the northernmost CNMI islands and portions of the Mariana Trench, the deepest point on the globe.
Friends of the Monument formed in the spring of 2008 to express the voice of the local community in CNMI. Its membership is made up of a cross section of indigenous and resident people of the CNMI who are dedicated to the conservation, preservation and protection of marine life and geological features of nearby waters and the proper management of the proposed Mariana Trench Marine National Monument.
Friends of the Monument Web site: http://marianamonument.blogspot.com
##########
Monday, September 29, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Friends of the Monument on TV
The Friends of the Monument appeared on the John Gonzales' TV talk show, MP 96950, to discuss the proposed Mariana Trench Marine National Monument. Appearing on the show were Chairman Ignacio V Cabrera, local business leader David M. Sablan, small business owner and former Congressman Andrew S. Sablan, and former Congressman and chair of the Republican Party, Karl T. Reyes.
The hour long program is broken up into 7 separate Youtube videos. They appear here in sequence:
The hour long program is broken up into 7 separate Youtube videos. They appear here in sequence:
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Friends on John Gonzales
Several Friends of the Monument appeared on the John Gonzales MP 96950 talk show this evening. Ignacio V Cabrera and David M Sablan sat on the first panel and Andrew S Salas and Karl T Reyes sat on the second.
The Friends appeared on the show to dispel some myths and to talk about their support and thier reasons behind their support.
The Friends are going to upload the entire show onto Youtube, so come back in a few days to watch the show.
The Friends appeared on the show to dispel some myths and to talk about their support and thier reasons behind their support.
The Friends are going to upload the entire show onto Youtube, so come back in a few days to watch the show.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Contact Us!
To contact the Friends of the Monument, please call Chair Ignacio V. Cabrera.
Friends of the Monument
c/o Ignacio V. Cabrera
Chairman
PO BOX 500921
Saipan, MP 96950
(670) 256-5648
marianamonument at gmail dot com
Friends of the Monument
c/o Ignacio V. Cabrera
Chairman
PO BOX 500921
Saipan, MP 96950
(670) 256-5648
marianamonument at gmail dot com
Mr. Cabrera goes to Washington
Friends of the Monument Chair Ignacio Cabrera and Vice-Chair Agnes McPhetres recently met with Federal officials in our Nation's capitol, Washington DC, to talk about the proposed Mariana Trench Marine National Monument. They met with officials from the Council on Environmental Quality, Department of Interior, Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, and with several elected Representatives in the House.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)