Pacific Islands

Pacific Islands

About

Because coastal stewardship is many things—actions that keep our coastlines healthy, environmental awareness through education and trainings, and community preparedness in the face of climate change—the services offered by the Pacific Islands office are broad to reflect the needs of the Pacific Islands. At the heart of everything we do is a commitment to deliver meaningful products and services that address the coastal resource management needs in the State of Hawai'i, the territories of American Samoa and Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).

Established in 2001 by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), this regional office is part of the NOAA Office of Coastal Management.

The Pacific Islands office shares NOAA’s vision: an informed society that uses comprehensive understanding of the role of oceans, coasts, and atmosphere in the global ecosystem to make the best social and economic decisions. To achieve this, the office is guided by the following core values, articulated below in the Hawai'ian language.

Malāma (MAH-la-mah): Care, respect, stewardship
The word mālama expresses a value that the office adopts from Pacific Island cultures: the inseparability of humans from the environment and our obligation to care for both. This organization delivers products and services to foster effective stewardship of the Pacific coastal and ocean natural resources while promoting care and respect for people, knowledge, traditions, and culture.

Kūlia i ka nu'u (koo-LEE-uh ee kah NOO-oo): Excellence, innovation, discovery
The phrase kūlia i ka nu'u, "strive for the highest," expresses our approach to setting personal and organizational goals and standards. We view the pursuit of our goals as a journey of discovery characterized by creativity, learning, and growth.

Pau'akoakoa (pow AH-ko-ah-ko-ah): Collaboration, engagement, equity
Translated to mean "all gathered together," this phrase explains our approach to accomplishing objectives. We form effective and equitable partnerships that encourage the active and valued involvement of diverse voices and perspectives.

Location

BEFORE YOU VISIT
The Pacific Islands office is located within Ford Island on the Island of O'ahu. An active military base, access to Ford Island requires a federal government Common Access Card (CAC) or official authorization. If you have questions on how to obtain official authorization or directions to the building, please contact the staff member you are scheduled to meet with for necessary forms.

Address
NOAA Inouye Regional Center
NOAA Office for Coastal Management – Pacific Islands office
1845 Wasp Boulevard, Building 176
Honolulu, HI 96818

Driving Directions
From Waikiki and downtown Honolulu, take the H1 freeway headed west and follow the "Pearl Harbor" overhead highway signs to the airport. Do not take the “naval base” exit. Take the exit labeled "Arizona Memorial/Stadium," exit 15A. Continue on HI-99/Kamehameha Highway and turn left at the fourth traffic light. Drive over Admiral Clarey Bridge and Causeway. Enter the roundabout, go straight. Building will be on your right.

From West O'ahu, take the H1 freeway headed east. Take exit labeled "Aiea/Honolulu," exit #13A, to merge onto HI 78/I-H201 toward Aiea. Take the Stadium/Aiea exit. Keep right, merging onto Moanalua Road. Turn left at the first traffic light to merge onto HI-99 East/Kamehameha Highway toward Pearl Harbor. Drive over Admiral Clarey Bridge and Causeway. Enter the roundabout, go straight. Building will be on your right.

From East O'ahu, take Interstate I-H3 headed west. Take exit 1C toward Halawa/Camp Smith/Aiea/Stadium. Turn left on Kahuapaani Street. Follow signs for stadium/Honolulu. Turn right on Salt Lake Boulevard. Continue following signs for stadium. Turn left on HI-99 east/Kamehameha Hwy. Continue on HI-99/Kamehameha Highway and turn right onto Arizona Memorial Place toward Pearl Harbor. Drive over Admiral Clarey Bridge and Causeway. Enter the roundabout, go straight. Building will be on your right.

From North O'ahu, start on HI-99 headed south and continue on HI-80. Continue on HI-99 south. Take I-H2 south toward Honolulu. Head toward Honolulu and take exit 1A onto I-H1 east. Take exit #13A toward Aiea onto Moanalua Road. Stay in the far- right lane and take the s tadium/Aiea exit. Continue on Moanalua Road and turn left at first stoplight onto HI-99 East/Kamehameha Hwy. Drive over Admiral Clarey Bridge and Causeway. Enter the roundabout, go straight. Building will be on your right.

With federal government Common Access Card (CAC), on Ford Island Boulevard, drive over Admiral Clarey Bridge and Causeway. Enter the roundabout, go straight. Building will be on your right.