The Northwestern Islands designation as a national monument is more than just a big deal for our indigenous Hawaiian monk seals, green sea turtles, and more than 7,000 marine species of that area.

It's a big deal for anyone who cares about preserving the lands and water of the entire pristine region as a natural treasure for future generations.

And it's an even bigger deal for Gov. Linda Lingle and President Bush.

With the stroke of a pen, Bush, often viewed as environmentally challenged, surprised many by furthering the legacy of protecting the islands that dates back to President Theodore Roosevelt. In one sweeping proclamation, the Northwestern Islands — a vast area of 140,000 square miles, about 100 times the size of Yosemite National Park — became, as the president said, "the largest single conservation area in the history of our country, and the largest protected marine area in the world."

The action coincided with Bush's new approach toward the environment, which he called "cooperative conservation." That's where the federal government steps out of the way, respects the unique knowledge of local authorities, and lets the states take the lead.

Indeed, the president acknowledged the lobbying of Lingle who impressed upon him the idea of preserving the region.

Now it will be up to Lingle to manage the impact of turning the area into a national monument. The designation comes with a prohibition on unauthorized recreational or commercial activity. Most significantly, it will phase out commercial fishing in those federal waters over a five-year period. Undoubtedly, such restrictions will put pressure on all state waters for fishing, and that's where Lingle's leadership will be tested.

Lingle signed a ban last year on fishing in the Northwestern Islands, so her focus should already be squarely on management of the fish stock in state waters of the main islands.

The state has proposed closing some areas to fishing, which has alarmed some industry interests. What's needed is a balanced plan that gives room for all types of fishing, and that allows for both the growth of our fishing industry and the preservation of the stock.

There's also the question of access for Native Hawaiians. The proclamation claims to be sensitive to the culture, and even assures that the monument will bear a Hawaiian name. But already, some groups question restrictions on subsistence fishing that they say conflicts with the Hawaiian concept of sharing.

These issues will be difficult to resolve. But that's a small price to pay for the protection of a national treasure.