Welcome to the Park of the Month newsletter for September 2025. This month we’re featuring one of the largest marine sanctuaries in the world and the largest conservation area overseen by the United States.
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
Location
Northwestern Hawaii Islands, Hawaii, United States
Claim to fame
With a protected area of 583,000 square miles (1,510,000 sq km), Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM) is one of the largest protected areas in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Larger than all US national parks combined, the monument protects the ocean region surrounding ten small islands and atolls of Northwestern Hawaii, including over 3.5 million acres (1.4 million hectares) of coral reef.
The monument’s ocean area is overseen by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, while its islands make up the Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge, administered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Reason to visit
While there are scientific and cultural permits available, currently there is no public access to the monument. PNMN is heavily protected and extremely remote, making visitation challenging even for those with access.
The Mokupāpapa Discovery Center in downtown Hilo is the educational center for the monument and the main place for the public to explore its natural and cultural wonders. A museum and saltwater aquarium, the site features cultural and scientific exhibits, including some of the species found in PNMN.
Wild Fact
The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands hold tremendous cultural and spiritual significance for the Hawaiian people. For Hawaiians, these islands are the place from which life springs and where spirits return after death.
The monument is named Papahānaumokuākea as a combination of Papahānaumoku–the mother earth–and Wākea–the father sky. The joining of their names symbolizes their ancient union, from which the Hawaiian people were born.
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