Its extensive coral reefs are home to over 7,000 marine species, some found nowhere else in the world. Monument residents include endangered Hawaiian monk seals, sea turtles, whales, dolphins, 14 million seabirds, sharks, billfish, tuna and four species of duck unique to the region. 

The destination’s role in maritime and cultural heritage is equally significant. With the highest density of sacred sites in the archipelago, it is closely tied to the Hawaiian peoples’ history. Within the boundaries are more than 60 known shipwreck sites spanning centuries as well as Midway Atoll, where the US forces irreparably damaged the Japanese fleet in the famous WWII battle. 

Papahānaumokuākea was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2010, the first mixed-use world heritage site in the United States, and one of only 28 in the world at the time. The mixed-use inscription acknowledges both the unique natural and cultural features of the marine national monument, and the interconnectedness of those resources 

In November 2021, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) initiated the process to designate Papahānaumokuākea as a national marine sanctuary. NOAA has now released for public comment the draft designation documents for the proposed Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary. 

 Papahānaumokuākea’s status as a marine national monument would not change under a sanctuary designation. The addition of a national marine sanctuary would provide regulatory and management tools to augment and strengthen existing protections for Papahānaumokuākea ecosystems, wildlife, and cultural and maritime heritage resources.