Thinking globally and acting locally compels us to consider the health of planet Earth and to take action here in Hawaii.

This concept became relevant long before local or national governments began to enforce environmental laws; Hawaii people have risen above their own self-interest and organized together to protect habitats and organisms that live within them, for the greater good, for time immemorial.

Today, we know atolls are, and eventually islands will be, impacted by rising sea levels caused by climate change and promoted by our use of fossil fuels, including Hawaii and our golden goose of Waikiki.

Moreover, acidification of the oceans, also caused by the burning of fossil fuels, is giving rise to the destruction of ocean reefs and depletion of marine life globally.

At the same time, despite the broad array of experts advocating for policy changes to limit harvesting of many marine species, human behavior persists in the taking of marine life in record numbers, causing major threats to more species than ever before. Prized species of ahi are among the many victims.

Conversely, it is a fact that no-take marine areas like Hanauma Bay provide fish and other marine life with a safe refuge, a puuhonua, to flourish, attracting visitors and residents in large numbers — contributing to a robust Hawaii economy. And many of us note that every other year, when fishing is banned at Waikiki Beach, the numbers of fish noticeably multiply for everyone to enjoy.

Recently, former Gov. George Ariyoshi and former U.S. Sen. Dan Akaka wrote in opposition to expansion of Papahanaumokuakea because, they said, the decision should be done transparently and locally, by those who “understand” the culture of Hawaii (“Bid to expand Papahanaumokuakea must be transparent process,” Island Voices, July 31).

In fact, the Obama administration conducted public meetings locally to gather input with those very thoughts in mind.

Unfortunately, both Ariyoshi and Akaka were not advocating for establishing a marine-protected area but rather, the status quo, which does nothing to save us locally from overfishing, protecting future generations.

The first people of these islands implemented and enforced a strict conservation policy, known as the kapu system, to ensure the continued existence of certain species of fish such as mullet and moi, prized locally for their taste.

More recently, minimum size requirements have been established and, when enforced by the state, contribute to the survival of many marine species today. In 2010, Hawaii led all states by passing the progressive law to ban the finning of sharks locally and the warehousing of the same from areas globally. This kind of “local policy” has become the “global” model for legislation for other states and countries to follow, including Oregon, Washington, California, New York and Delaware, as well as the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Pohnpei, Guam and Saipan.

Considering Hanauma Bay and all protected marine areas, we now know sustainable marine habitat and our food supply are dependent on policies that establish no-take areas — globally and locally.

Similarly, expansion of Papahanumokuakea would provide a puuhonua to allow marine life to flourish, which would benefit all of us. An expanded Papahanaumokua- kea would result in more fish multiplying more often and finding their way to other places where taking by fishers is permitted.

This appeal to President Barack Obama to extend the boundaries of our National Marine Monument cannot be done by locals alone, absent his support, cooperation and action.

Thankfully, the president of these United States is a local boy who swam, bodysurfed, dived and fished in these very islands and understands the gravity of our actions to save our oceans for future generations.

Jessica Wooley, of Windward Oahu, is a former legislator and was director of the Office of Environmental Quality Control until October 2015.