Another ridiculously early wake-up and scramble to the airport. Five and a half hours later I'm on Oahu for a day before continuing on to American Samoa for the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force meeting in Pago Pago. The weather is amazing in Honolulu today, giving no impression that a hurricane passed by just a few days ago. I have a couple meetings today, then can roam around Waikiki Beach and maybe even take a dip and dig my toes into the E. coli rich beach sand.The U.S. Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF) was established by President Clinton to lead, coordinate, and strengthen U.S. government actions in order to better preserve and protect coral reef ecosystems. The Task Force is co-chaired by the Departments of Commerce and of the Interior, and includes leaders of 12 federal agencies, seven U.S. states and territories, and three freely associated states. The CRTF holds bi-annual meetings in Washington, D.C. in the spring and, on a rotational basis, in each of the CRTF member jurisdictions. The meeting in Pago Pago will allow all task force members to report on the status of ongoing coral reef initiatives in their respective areas.
This will be my first visit to American Samoa and I'm really looking forward to getting there. American Samoa is home to Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary. I'm certainly hoping that in addition to the meetings and busy schedule I can find time to see what American Samoa looks like below the surface.
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