Waikiki Aquarium celebrates Earth Month and International Year of the Reef with free admission on April 12

Environmental expo and moi release included in festivities

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Contact:
Posted: Mar 31, 2008

HONOLULU — The Waikiki Aquarium is pleased to announce free admission to the public on Saturday, April 12, 2008 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. as part of its Earth Month and International Year of the Reef (IYOR) celebrations. The Aquarium will also host the 1st Annual Mauka to Makai Environmental Expo from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Expo will showcase efforts of city, state and federal agencies to preserve and protect Hawaii‘s environment with an emphasis on the Islands‘ unique water resources from mauka to makai. Family-friendly and hands-on educational displays, Ocean Network presentations and the Aquarium‘s marine conservation efforts will highlight the day. The public is also invited to cheer on the release of hatchery-raised Pacific threadfin (moi) in the waters behind the Aquarium within the Waikiki Marine Life Conservation District.

The health of Hawaii‘s waters has a direct impact on the health of Hawaii‘s reefs and reef life, and the Waikiki Aquarium is internationally recognized as a leader in the protection, preservation and propagation of coral reefs across the tropical Pacific. The Aquarium has maintained colonies of living corals since 1978 and now has the oldest and perhaps largest collection of living corals in the United States. The corals in their colorful 250-gallon and 1,500-gallon exhibit tanks come from throughout the South Pacific. An important part of the Aquarium‘s work has been to help reduce collection of corals from the wild. Since 1991, the Aquarium has shipped out more than 5,000 pieces of coral to other public aquariums and researchers around the world.

For more information about free admission to the Aquarium on April 12, the Environmental Expo or how to become more involved in Earth Month and IYOR activities, please call 440-9008.

About the Waikiki Aquarium
The Waikiki Aquarium is located on the shoreline of Waikiki Beach next to a living reef and across from Kapiolani Park. The Aquarium showcases more than 500 marine species, and maintains more than 3,000 marine specimens. Public exhibits, education programs and research focus on the unique aquatic life of Hawaii and the tropical Pacific. The Aquarium is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except 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. For more information about the Waikiki Aquarium, including membership, please call 808-923-9741 or visit www.aquarium.org.

For more information, visit: http://www.waquairum.org