HONOLULU — Two of the world’s largest protected marine areas are joining forces to better preserve the environment.

The Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument northwest of the main Hawaiian islands will work together with the Phoenix Islands Protected Area of the Republic of Kiribati (KEE ree baas).
The sister site relationship, announced Wednesday, is designed to enhance management knowledge and practices.
The remote Pacific island nation of Kiribati created the Phoenix Islands Protected Area last year. At more than 158,000 square miles, it’s the largest marine-protected area in the world today.
President George W. Bush created the Papahanaumokuakea monument in 2006. It was the largest marine-protected area in the world at the time with 140,000 square miles.