The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Ocean Service manages the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Reserve. This area encompases a 1200 nautical mile long, 100 nautical mile wide area that protects all areas in the NWHI not already covered under the State of Hawai‘i, or the U.S. Fish and Wildife jurisdictions. Aboard the R/V RAPTURE, Reserve staff conducted extensive documentation of the region, focusing on ecological, educational, and cultural aspects. NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service Honolulu Laboratory conducts scientific research to support the stewardship of fisheries and protected species in the central and western Pacific. In addition to this research, the Honolulu Laboratory has been leading efforts to document and remove marine debris from the islands and reefs of the NWHI since the early 1980s.

Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve
6700 Kalaniana'ole Highway
Honolulu, HI 96825
phone: (808) 397-2668
fax: (808) 397-2662
website: http:\\www.hawaiireef.noaa.gov
e-mail: nwhi@noaa.gov

National Marine Fisheries Service
Honolulu Laboratory
2570 Dole Street
Honolulu, HI 96822
phone: (808) 983-5303
fax: (808) 983-2901
website: http://www.nmfs.hawaii.edu

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages and protects two wildlife refuges in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands: Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge (stretching from Nihoa to Pearl and Hermes Reef). During NOWRAMP 2002, USFWS personnel conducted marine and terrestrial research, coordinated educational efforts within refuges, and ensured that required protocols for accessing the islands were met. Back in Honolulu, staff worked in close contact with the vessel and provided media and ground support.

Hawaiian and Pacific Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex
300 Ala Moana Boulevard Room 5-231
Honolulu, HI 96850
phone: (808) 541-1201
fax: (808) 541-1216

The State of Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) manages the nearshore waters (0-3 miles) in the NWHI. The DLNR also manages Kure Atoll as a State wildlife refuge. DLNR staff aboard the vessel R/V RAPTURE acted as Chief Scientists to coordinate collection of scientific data and assist in educational material development. The material and information collected will serve as invaluable tools for the management goals for this special region among all partner agencies and organizations. In Honolulu, DLNR staff assisted in daily communications and ongoing support with the R/V RAPTURE.

Division of Aquatic Resources
1151 Punchbowl Street, Rm. 330
Honolulu, HI 96813
phone: (808)-587-0100
fax: (808) 587-0115
website: http://www.state.hi.us/dlnr/dar/

Division of Forestry and Wildlife
1151 Punchbowl Street, Rm. 325
Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: (808) 973-9787
Fax: (808) 587-0160
website: http://www.state.hi.us/dlnr/dofaw/

Numerous University of Hawai‘i researchers and scientists from the Manoa and Hilo campuses are participating in this project. Many went along on the expedition, while others from various UH departments are collaborating to develop and support the project's education and outreach program. UH units involved in the project include UH Manoa's Kamakakuokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies, Hawai‘i Networked Learning Communities (HNLC), Hawai‘i Undersea Research Lab, Sea Grant College Program, and the Waikiki Aquarium, as well as researchers from UH Manoa's School of Ocean & Earth Science & Technology and Department of Botany, and the UH Hilo Marine Science Department.

The Laboratory for Interactive Learning Technologies
at the Department of Information and Computer Sciences is hosting this web site with support from the National Science Foundation.

University of Hawai‘i at Manoa
2444 Dole Street
Honolulu, HI 96822
(808) 956-8111

Bishop Museum and the Hawai`i Maritime Center have conducted teacher trainings on the NWHI, and are very active in supporting the 2000 NOWRAMP expedition including sending back broadcasts from the expedition and providing showings at the Maritime Center.

Bishop Museum's teacher workshops, Navigating Change exhibit, and video transmissions are part of the Exploration Program, an educational partnership with NASA.

1525 Bernice Street
Honolulu, HI 96817
Ph: (808) 847-3511
Fax: (808) 841-8968
website: http://www.bishopmuseum.org/

Scientists from the University of California, Santa Cruz, have participated in all three of the annual NOWRAMP expeditions. Led by Donald Potts, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, the UCSC researchers are focusing on coral biodiversity surveys and mapping of coral reef habitat.

UCSC Public Information Office
University Relations
1156 High Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95064
Phone: (831) 459-4352
Fax: (831) 459-5795
website: http://www.ucsc.edu