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    Event Calendar Item

  • Waikiki Aquarium To Host World Oceans Month

  • Type: Family
    Date: Multiple Dates in June
    Time: see notes
    Location:
    2777 Kalakaua Avenue
    Honolulu, HI 96815
    Phone: 808-923-9741
    View Map
    Cost: see notes

Waikiki Aquarium to host World Oceans Month. Drawing attention to Hawaii's ocean resources and the need for conservation, the Waikiki Aquarium, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Mayor's Office of Culture and the Arts and have teamed up to celebrate World Oceans Month through education, art, music, film, and service projects around O‘ahu. Events will include beach clean ups, ocean-inspired films, musical performances, art exhibits, educational activities led by the Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS), and more. This year's international theme is, "Together we have the power to protect the ocean."

DESCRIPTION/SCHEDULE:

Afternoons at the Aquarium

Wednesdays, June 5, 12, 19 and 26 at 3 p.m.

Every Wednesday during World Oceans Month, the Aquarium will host an interactive activity on the lawn. Keiki can enjoy stories by the sea, critter encounters or creative movement sessions. The activities are designed for ages 4 to 8, but everyone is welcome. Activities are included with Aquarium admission.

World Oceans Day at the Aquarium

June 8 from 9 a.m. to noon

PacIOOS kicks off World Oceans Day with presentations on shark tagging, ocean modeling, water quality testing and the PacIOOS Voyager software program. A screening of an ocean-themed Dr. Seuss film will be held in the theater throughout the day, and the Dept. of Transportation Storm Water Management Program will host an interactive educational booth. Guests will also enjoy a special performance of "Honu by the Sea," a musical show by Johnson Entertainment at 11 a.m. Additionally, local artist Jeanne Wokasch will be on hand to teach guests how to recycle plastic floaties into beach bags. Activities are included with Aquarium admission.

Ka ‘Ike o Ka Moana: The Knowledge of the Ocean at Honolulu Hale

June 10 -- 27, from 5 to 7 p.m.

This special exhibit of educational displays and artwork celebrating National Oceans Month will kick off on June 13 with a free opening reception and run through June 27.

KIDS FIRST! Film Festival at the Aquarium

June 12 -- "What Makes a Fish a Fish?"

June 19 -- "Dive into Diversity"

June 26 -- "Who Lives in the Sea?"

Swim over to the Aquarium's Seavisions Theater from 10 a.m. to closing to enjoy several ocean-themed keiki films. Along with the featured films, "Once Upon a Tide" and "Plastic Perils of the Pacific" will be shown all three days. Showings are included with Aquarium admission.

Ke Kani O Ke Kai Summer Concert Series

June 13 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. -- John Cruz and Nathan Aweau

June 27 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. -- KUmZ and Manu Boyd

The Aquarium will once again host its popular "Ke Kani O Ke Kai" summer concert series, offering visitors and residents an evening of live entertainment and food under the stars. Tickets are required in advance and may be purchased online at www.waquarium.org/KKOKK.

Invasive Algae Clean Up at the Aquarium

June 22 from 9 to 11 a.m.

Join the Aquarium in its decade-long effort with the University of Hawaii at Manoa to clean up and remove invasive algae species from the reef behind the Aquarium to ensure its long-term survival. Please call (808) 440-9020 to participate.

Splash Art with Patrick Ching at the Aquarium

June 22, 29 from 10 a.m. to noon

Learn how to draw a monk seal or create a Splash Art T-shirt with noted naturalist artist Patrick Ching. T-Shirts are available for purchase; guests are also invited to bring their own shirt for decorating. Art classes are included with Aquarium admission.

PacIOOS Ocean Acidification and Water Quality at the Aquarium

June 27 at 2:30 p.m.

Join PacIOOS marine experts in the Aquarium classroom for a fun and educational interactive lesson on how to keep our oceans clean. Keiki will be invited to use PacIOOS instruments and equipment to test ocean water.

Hawai‘i Watercolor Society Exhibition at the Aquarium

June 29 from 9 a.m. to noon

The Hawaii Watercolor Society celebrates its 50th anniversary with a mini paint-out and display of ocean-themed artworks. Exhibition included with Aquarium admission.

INFO:

World Oceans Month activities at the Waikiki Aquarium will be included with daily admission, with the exception of Ke Kani O Ke Kai. Daily admission is $6 for local residents, active duty military with ID, students with ID and senior citizens; $4 for youths ages 13-17 and persons with disabilities; $2 for juniors ages 5 - 12; and free for children 4 and under and Friends of Waikiki Aquarium members. General admission is $9. The Ka ‘Ike o Ka Moana art exhibit at the Honolulu Hale is free and open to the public.

For more information on World Oceans Month events, call (808) 923-9741





LISTEN TO GREAT INTERVIEW
Interview with Hawaii Public Radio Business of the Arts
Listen to a great interview about Waikiki Aquarium's history, staff, causes and much more.

Founded in 1904 and administered by the University of Hawai'i at Manoa since 1919, the Waikiki Aquarium is located on the shoreline of Waikiki Beach next to a living reef and across from Kapiolani Park. The Aquarium -- third oldest in the U.S. -- showcases more than 500 marine species, and maintains more than 3,500 marine specimens. Public exhibits, education programs and research focus on the unique aquatic life of Hawai'i and the tropical Pacific.

The Aquarium welcomes more than 320,000 visitors annually, and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except Honolulu Marathon Sunday and Christmas Day. Admission is $9 for visitors; $6 for local residents, active duty military with ID, students with ID and seniors; $4 for youths ages 13-17 and persons with disabilities; $2 for juniors ages 5 to 12; and free for children 4 and under and Friends of Waikiki Aquarium (FOWA) members.

MISSION:

To inspire and promote understanding, appreciation and conservation of Pacific marine life.

DESCRIPTION:

Founded in 1904, the Waikiki Aquarium is the third oldest public aquarium in the United States. A part of the University of Hawai`i at Manoa since 1919, it is located next to a living reef on the Waikiki shoreline. Exhibits, programs, and research focus on the aquatic life of Hawai`i and the tropical Pacific, with roughly 320,000 people visiting the Aquarium each year. Over 3,500 organisms are on exhibit representing more than 500 species of aquatic animals and plants.

EXHIBITS:

Waikiki Aquarium exhibits focus on the diversity of aquatic, shoreline and coral reef habitats and living communities of Hawai`i and the tropical Pacific. Among the highlights:

  • Corals Are Alive! interactive exhibits showcasing corals, their biology and conservation
  • Sea Visions Theatre shows videos that illustrate shoreline conservation and how you can be a responsible reef visitor
  • South Pacific Marine Communities features South Pacific habitats and species, including colorful reef corals and fishes,giant clams, groupers and snappers and intriguing partnerships such asanemone fishes and their host sea anemones
  • Hawaiian Marine Communities recreates Hawaiian habitats from wave-swept surge zone to deep reef slopes, and from young to ancient reefs; celebrates distinctive reef life, including the longnose butterfly fish
  • Ocean Drifters Gallery features a1,000-gallon moon jelly tank and a seasonally changing jelly wall that may contain white-spotted jellies, blue blubbers, sea nettles, box jellies and ctenophores
  • Hunters on the Reef 35,000-gallon exhibits home to Hawaiian sharks and jacks; shark interpretive panels introduce shark biology, research, conservation and safety. New Spyball camera provides up close shark encounters in real time on a television screen
  • Edge of the Reef naturalistic shoreline exhibit offering opportunities for supervised observation and hands-on interactions with selected marine life
  • The Coral Farm exhibit and working research facility for propagation of reef corals
  • Giant Clams exhibit and working research facility for propagation of clams
  • Hawaiian Monk Seal Habitat features the endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal found only in the Hawaiian Islands
  • Aquaculture features moi, a popular food fish, whose numbers have declined in the wild
  • Coastal Gardens with native Hawaiian plants adapted for life close to the sea

ENDANGERED SPECIES:

Hawaiian monk seals; ‘öhai (endemic Hawaiian coastal plant)

UNIQUE SPECIES:

Pacific giant clams; Hawaiian stream gobies; raredeep-reef butterflyfish; bearded armorheads; masked angelfish; and diversenative coastal plants

CONSERVATION & RESEARCH:

The Waikiki Aquarium is a working research facility,conducting numerous conservation and research programs, including:

  • Husbandry, nutrition and behavior of aquatic and marineaquarium specimens
  • Husbandry and propagation of chamberednautilus
  • Spawning behavior, larval rearing, and propagationpotential of selected reef fishes
  • Identification & treatment of diseases, parasiteinfections and other ailments of aquarium marine life
  • Coral husbandry, propagation and conservation
  • Hawaiian monk seal metabolic and bacteriologicalresearch
  • Giant clam husbandry and propagation
  • Sea jelly husbandry and propagation
  • Deep reef coral research
  • Coral Ark: archiving and husbandry of rare Hawaiiancorare deep-reefrals

EDUCATION PROGRAMS:

The Waikiki Aquarium offers numerous education programs,including:

  • Interpretive services: staff or volunteers enrich the visitor experience with explanations of the exhibits, demonstrations, and hands-on experiences
  • Self-tour opportunities for individuals and groups: interpretive graphics & exhibits, handouts are available.
  • School Program: presentations and docent-assisted tours for school groups, grades K - 6
  • Outreach and special request presentations for schools and community groups
  • Community Enrichment Program: year-round natural history field trips, classes, and workshops for children, families, and adults
  • Information services: staff answer questions from visitors & community on marine and aquarium-science related topics

OPPORTUNITIES:

The Waikiki Aquarium affords a number of opportunities to get involved through:

  • Membership: Join the Friends of the Waikïkï Aquarium (FOWA) to enjoy the annual benefits of free admission, 20% discount at the Natural Selections gift shop, quarterly mailings of our beautiful and informative magazine Kilo i'a, free salt water pick-up, and facility rental privileges at "Family" and "Family Plus" levels. To select the membership level right for you,please see the Visitor Services staff or contact Events and Membership Manager Raina Fujitani at (808) 440-9008 for more information.
  • Volunteerism: When you donate your time and curiosity to the Waikiki Aquarium, you are rewarded with diverse and challenging opportunities to help make a difference!
    • Education-- Docents provide on-site presentations and tours to elementary school groups and provide outreach programs for school and community groups. Interpreters at the Edge of the Reef exhibit assist visitors and provide up-close observations of Hawaiian marine life.
    • Live Exhibits -- Assist with husbandry, tank maintenance and feeding.
    • Natural Selection Shop -- Assist with stocking inventory and sales.
    • Membership/PublicRelations/Special Events - Assist with bulk mail outs & communications with Aquarium members, public relations surveys, record-keeping and special events.

AWARDS:

The Waikiki Aquarium has received several awards for its research and conservation efforts, including:

  • 2008 Keep It Hawai`i Award
  • 2003 Munson Aquatic Conservation Exhibit (M.A.C.E.) Award from the American Zoo & Aquarium Association (AZA) for South Pacific Marine Communities exhibit
  • 2003 Edward H. Bean Award from AZA for Long Term Tropical Pacific Coral Propagation Program

DIRECTOR: Dr. Andrew Rossiter

EMPLOYEES: 35 full-time, 36 part-time, 33 affiliate staff

HOURS: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily (except Honolulu Marathon Sunday and Christmas Day)

ADMISSION: $9 for visitors; $6 for local residents, active duty military with ID, students with ID and senior citizens;$4 for youths ages 13-17 and persons with disabilities; $2 for juniors ages 5 -12; and free for children 4 and under and Friends of Waikiki Aquarium members

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  • Waikiki Aquarium
    Founded in 1904, the Waikiki Aquarium is the second oldest public aquarium in the United States. A part of the University of Hawai`i at Manoa since 1919, it is located next to a living reef on the Waikiki shoreline. More...

  • Waikiki Aquarium Volunteer Opportunities

    The Waikiki Aquarium aims to "inspire and promote understanding, appreciation and conservation of Pacific marine life." Many wonderful people help to make this mission a reality.

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