The recent signing ceremony with Gov. Lingle, U.S. Department of Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne and U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez was an important moment for the nation and Hawai'i.

If we are to be assured that the beauty of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands is to be preserved for the future, then a partnership between the state and federal governments makes perfect sense.

The agreement makes the state and the two federal agencies co-trustees and co-managers of the area named by President Bush as the world's largest protected marine area last June. Without any diminishment of jurisdiction, the state now has a partner. It's a partnership that represents the best chance at long-term preservation of the islands.

The monument designation spells the end to commercial fishing in five years, but still allows for fishing by Native Hawaiians as part of their cultural and religious traditions. Additional rules should maintain that same level of respect.

One potential point of contention: The state says it will push for compensation from the federal government for owners of existing permits. "We feel strongly that existing bottom fish permitees should be fairly compensated for their permit," said Peter Young, chair of the state's Department of Land and Natural Resources.

On most points, however, the state and the federal agencies are on the same page: The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands must be preserved for generations to come. And that's right on the mark.