notes from community meetings
Notes from Dolphin-Human Interaction Meeting held on October 15, 2016 at the New Thought Center of Hawaii
Following two hearings held in Kailua-Kona on September 7 & 8, 2016 by NOAA titled “Enhancing Protections for Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins to Prevent Disturbance - Proposed Rule and Draft Environmental Impact Statement” (see http://www.fpir.noaa.gov/PRD/prd_spinner_EIS.html), it became apparent there was little consensus amongst the local community on how to address NOAA’s proposal.
It was acknowledged by those who attended the public hearings that all stakeholders needed to come together to have their voices heard and to formulate an agreed response to NOAA’s proposals. It was evident that this was as much to do with the wellbeing of the spinner dolphins as it was to do with the wellbeing of a divided community.
In response to this, community member Asolaria Liberalis invited stakeholders within the community who had previously shown an interest to come together in the first of several meetings to address this issue. Nigel Patterson, a recent resident of Kailua-Kona was asked to facilitate the first meeting.
The objective of the first meeting was to build an environment of TRUST amongst those present. The facilitation thus focused on creating a culture of collaboration and respect between all attendees. Subsequent meetings will leverage off the environment of trust to then come to an agreed community response to NOAA’s proposal. NOAA are invited to participate in this process.
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Following two hearings held in Kailua-Kona on September 7 & 8, 2016 by NOAA titled “Enhancing Protections for Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins to Prevent Disturbance - Proposed Rule and Draft Environmental Impact Statement” (see http://www.fpir.noaa.gov/PRD/prd_spinner_EIS.html), it became apparent there was little consensus amongst the local community on how to address NOAA’s proposal.
It was acknowledged by those who attended the public hearings that all stakeholders needed to come together to have their voices heard and to formulate an agreed response to NOAA’s proposals. It was evident that this was as much to do with the wellbeing of the spinner dolphins as it was to do with the wellbeing of a divided community.
In response to this, community member Asolaria Liberalis invited stakeholders within the community who had previously shown an interest to come together in the first of several meetings to address this issue. Nigel Patterson, a recent resident of Kailua-Kona was asked to facilitate the first meeting.
The objective of the first meeting was to build an environment of TRUST amongst those present. The facilitation thus focused on creating a culture of collaboration and respect between all attendees. Subsequent meetings will leverage off the environment of trust to then come to an agreed community response to NOAA’s proposal. NOAA are invited to participate in this process.
Read more
Notes from Second Dolphin-Human Interaction Meeting held on November 30, 2016 at the New Thought Center of Hawaii
The first meeting was held on October 15, 2016. 52 People were present. The meeting focused on creating an environment of collaboration and respect. In other words, a safe and non-judgmental space so each participant’s voice may be heard, without interruption or judgement. This goal was achieved.
The purpose of the second meeting was to further build on this community work. As part of this safe space, new ideas started to emerge. Individuals began to offer solutions. Specifically, it became clear that the voices of Native Hawaiians were missing. At least three surrogate participants offered to be these voices. In the space of collaboration and respect, it was acknowledged that compromise would be needed if the community wished to achieve its larger goal of an “Irresistible Agreement”. Groups were formed to focus on specific areas. They will continue to meet to formulate input prior to the next meeting.
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The first meeting was held on October 15, 2016. 52 People were present. The meeting focused on creating an environment of collaboration and respect. In other words, a safe and non-judgmental space so each participant’s voice may be heard, without interruption or judgement. This goal was achieved.
The purpose of the second meeting was to further build on this community work. As part of this safe space, new ideas started to emerge. Individuals began to offer solutions. Specifically, it became clear that the voices of Native Hawaiians were missing. At least three surrogate participants offered to be these voices. In the space of collaboration and respect, it was acknowledged that compromise would be needed if the community wished to achieve its larger goal of an “Irresistible Agreement”. Groups were formed to focus on specific areas. They will continue to meet to formulate input prior to the next meeting.
Read more
Notes from Third Dolphin-Human Interaction Meeting held on January 2, 2017 at the New Thought Center of Hawaii
The first meeting was held on October 15, 2016. The meeting focused on creating an environment of collaboration and respect. In other words, a safe and non-judgmental space so each participant’s voice may be heard, without interruption or judgement. This goal was achieved. The second meeting was held on November 30 and further built on this community work. The need for compromise was acknowledged as the community worked towards the larger goal of an “Irresistible Agreement”. Sub-groups were formed and met independently.
This third meeting focused on further group participation. Spokespeople from the sub-groups presented their extraordinary contributions. Clearly the process of collaboration was emerging and the community was coming together with one voice. To support this further, a glaringly missing stakeholder representation, namely the Native Hawaiian community, was present.
This added a whole new layer of richness to the process of collaboration and trust. It was acknowledged that this was a breakthrough meeting and that community was well onto its way to creating the “irresistible agreement”. It was, however, noted that despite many invitations to do so, NOAA had yet to participate in the process thus questioning their intentions in effectively serving the community they are supposed to represent.
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The first meeting was held on October 15, 2016. The meeting focused on creating an environment of collaboration and respect. In other words, a safe and non-judgmental space so each participant’s voice may be heard, without interruption or judgement. This goal was achieved. The second meeting was held on November 30 and further built on this community work. The need for compromise was acknowledged as the community worked towards the larger goal of an “Irresistible Agreement”. Sub-groups were formed and met independently.
This third meeting focused on further group participation. Spokespeople from the sub-groups presented their extraordinary contributions. Clearly the process of collaboration was emerging and the community was coming together with one voice. To support this further, a glaringly missing stakeholder representation, namely the Native Hawaiian community, was present.
This added a whole new layer of richness to the process of collaboration and trust. It was acknowledged that this was a breakthrough meeting and that community was well onto its way to creating the “irresistible agreement”. It was, however, noted that despite many invitations to do so, NOAA had yet to participate in the process thus questioning their intentions in effectively serving the community they are supposed to represent.
Read more
Notes from Fourth Dolphin-Human Interaction Meeting held on March 10, 2017 at the New Thought Center of Hawaii
This was the fourth meeting to be held. The focus of the meeting was for each of the spokespeople from the three working sub-groups to share with the main group their progress to date, and to obtain feedback.
Despite busy schedules resulting in many daily distractions, it is clear there is a core constituency of concerned stakeholders whom believe it IS possible to attain the “Irresistible Agreement” and who are committed to seeing this process through.
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This was the fourth meeting to be held. The focus of the meeting was for each of the spokespeople from the three working sub-groups to share with the main group their progress to date, and to obtain feedback.
Despite busy schedules resulting in many daily distractions, it is clear there is a core constituency of concerned stakeholders whom believe it IS possible to attain the “Irresistible Agreement” and who are committed to seeing this process through.
Read more
Notes from Fifth Dolphin-Human Interaction Meeting held on April 14, 2017 at the New Thought Center of Hawaii
This fifth meeting focused on the first draft of the reports from each of the three sub-groups in preparation for the initial draft of the ‘Irresistible Agreement”. Excellent work was presented with useful feedback being attained. It was also evident that the objective of creating a respectful and listening environment had been successful.
The meeting also resolved that two additional groups would be formed moving forward: (1) a Steering Committee of six members, and (2) focused Citizen’s Science group of three members.
The meeting also brain-stormed possible names for this initiative.
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This fifth meeting focused on the first draft of the reports from each of the three sub-groups in preparation for the initial draft of the ‘Irresistible Agreement”. Excellent work was presented with useful feedback being attained. It was also evident that the objective of creating a respectful and listening environment had been successful.
The meeting also resolved that two additional groups would be formed moving forward: (1) a Steering Committee of six members, and (2) focused Citizen’s Science group of three members.
The meeting also brain-stormed possible names for this initiative.
Read more
Notes from Sixth Hawai'i Dolphin Initiative Meeting held on July 1, 2017 at the New Thought Center of Hawaii
Following an update from the Steering Committee, the sixth meeting focused on four speakers from very different backgrounds, each with an interest in the initiative.
For the first time, DLNR were represented with a very supportive and positive voice. In addition, NOAA had contracted an organization to perform data collection on the economic impact of their proposed regulation. A representative from the contracted company addressed the meeting informing the group on the purpose of her visit. Again, a local Hawaiian voice shared his views on swimming with the dolphins from his perspective. A Canadian visitor to the Big Island shared her story of dolphin-based energy healing several years ago with a message of hope for the local community on how to proceed in a manner respectful to all parties.
This was followed by pupus and community building.
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Notes from Seventh Hawai’i Dolphin Initiative Meeting held on August 19, 2017 at the New Thought Center of Hawaii
The meeting focused on strategies for further building relationships with other stakeholders including Native Hawaiians, DLNR, boat captains and NOAA (even though a recent email indicated NOAA’s unwillingness to engage). As the HDI matures and becomes increasingly representative of those impacted by NOAA’s proposed regulations, alignment is building between DLNR and the HDI. This is based around a shared theme of Education.
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The meeting focused on strategies for further building relationships with other stakeholders including Native Hawaiians, DLNR, boat captains and NOAA (even though a recent email indicated NOAA’s unwillingness to engage). As the HDI matures and becomes increasingly representative of those impacted by NOAA’s proposed regulations, alignment is building between DLNR and the HDI. This is based around a shared theme of Education.
Read more
Notes from Eighth Hawai’i Dolphin Initiative Meeting held on October 28, 2017 at the New Thought Center of Hawaii
This was the one-year anniversary since the formation of the HDI. The achievements during this period were shared. The keynote speaker was Alan Cambra, a long-time local resident from Ho'okena Beach. It was the first time a resident from one the bays had spoken at a meeting. His message and insights were well received, as was his call for further engagement with the locals when visiting the bays. Other general discussions included a call to action form Lanny Sinkin, HDI's legal counsel.
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This was the one-year anniversary since the formation of the HDI. The achievements during this period were shared. The keynote speaker was Alan Cambra, a long-time local resident from Ho'okena Beach. It was the first time a resident from one the bays had spoken at a meeting. His message and insights were well received, as was his call for further engagement with the locals when visiting the bays. Other general discussions included a call to action form Lanny Sinkin, HDI's legal counsel.
Read more