Some 100 years ago, Mark Twain called Hawai'i "the loveliest fleet of islands that lies anchored in any ocean." We have shamefully squandered much of Hawai'i's beauty, and the Islands now have the dubious distinction of being the endangered species capital of the world.

One of those endangered species is the Hawaiian monk seal, endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, with a population in critical decline. Limited food sources, marine debris and human interaction have taken their toll. The seals are also an easy prey for sharks.

Last week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service implemented a recovery plan to turn around that decline. NOAA hopes to get at least $1.8 million in federal money next year to set up a captive care program to feed and protect juvenile female seals. The plan details more than $30 million in funding over the first five years.

It will be tempting for Congress to make protecting Hawaiian monk seals a low priority. That would be a mistake — what must not get lost is our responsibility to be good stewards of the land and sea.

Protecting the ecosystem is part of that responsibility. This is too important to leave solely to politicians — let your voice be heard by making sure our congressional delegation knows you care and are watching to see that Congress remains committed to this important plan.