Inflatable humpback whales blowing in the breeze, free sailing lessons, seabird studying, fishing, marine debris art exhibits and beach cleanups are all happening on Kauai today through Sunday in celebration of World Oceans Day.
Coordinated by Kauai Surfrider, the day unites federal, local, business and community organizations, vendors and artists, educators and volunteers.
Melissa McFerrin Warrack, spokeswoman for Kukui Grove Center, says the activity level has turned up at the mall as they get ready for Oceans Day weekend.
“There are so many wonderful volunteer cleanups, activities and celebrations going on this year around Kauai, reflecting the deep connection and appreciation people around our community have for the ocean,” McFerrin Warrack said. “This year, Kukui Grove is excited to expand our participation.”
The Kauai Society of Artists is hosting its annual marine-debris exhibit, the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is bringing a life-sized humpback whale exhibit, and the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is bringing information and activities centered around saving albatrosses and other conservation projects.
“World Oceans Day is becoming increasingly a really great day to explore all aspects of the ocean,” said Jean Souza of NOAA and the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.
“From outdoor immersive activities to outreach activities, there is something now on Kauai for everyone.”
You’ll find Souza helping with the inflatable whale, among other things at Kukui Grove. That walk-through whale will be presented by sanctuary volunteers hosting keiki and adults from 5 to 8 tonight and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
“The realistic-looking, inflatable humpback whale presents a unique and entertaining way to understand the inner workings of the whale, migration, conservation and research,” Souza said. “The hope is to inspire a wonderment that lasts a lifetime.”
Tana Ball, KPNWR volunteer educator, will be on hand Saturday as well, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with albatross activities near the Keiki Korner Children’s Play area.
This will be accompanied by a display of art projects by Kapaa Elementary School’s third-graders throughout the center, featuring the preservation of the moli and its habitat. Keiki can learn about the moli with Ball, do the moli dance, and even become a moli in a unique, dress-up learning experience, according to McFerrin Warrack.
“The ‘Moli Life Cycle’ (program) in the elementary schools is all about empowering the third-grade students to understand what is happening to the Laysan albatross (moli) and other sea creatures (and how that) will affect their own future,” said Ball. “We encourage the students, after learning about the plastics in the oceans, rising seas, to use their voice to create messages to help ‘save our moli.’”
The students all created their own artwork. This year, they are working on a public service announcement calendar to help get their message out to the public.
“The students are our future, so it is in their hands,” Ball said.
Student artwork can be viewed at Kukui Grove for two weeks starting on World Oceans Day.
The Purple Striped Honu Theatre will be performing an original, short, theater piece, “Where’s Mom?” about a monk seal, next to the Keiki Korner Children’s Play area.
Bring a keiki for one of their three performances at 10:30, 11, and 11:30 a.m. Saturday. This is children’s theater, performed by adults, in a short, fun and colorful way. Showtime characters and center tenants will also be participating for some sea-inspired fun, crafts and tattoos for the keiki.
In the evening, a family movie night will be held screening “Aquaman” on center stage in the newly renovated food court. The film is free and will be shown at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Prior to the film there will be activities during the afternoon, including free outdoor games for kids and a swimsuit model competition with Focus International Hawaii from 3 to 6 p.m. for a festive environment to close the day.
Other activities
w Saturday, head over to Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor for a free sailing lesson, educational activities and booths as well as a movie at 6 p.m., all starting at 10 a.m., courtesy of the Nawiliwili Yacht Club;
w Storybook Theatre in Hanapepe has marine inflatables, costumes and puppets in Hanapepe tonight from 5 to 7 and then in Kapaa at the All Saints Episcopal Church gym from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday;
w Out at the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, take advantage of a guided tour of the Daniel K. Inouye Kilauea Point Lighthouse from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $10 per person for adults 16 and older;
w Check out Island School on Saturday during their demonstration of building a structure with Byfusion recycled marine debris plastic building blocks at 10 a.m. Or, at the same time on Saturday, head over to the Nawiliwili Yacht Club to help make a marine debris mural;
w Beach cleanups with Surfrider Net Patrol are ongoing throughout the weekend, with cleanups going from 9 a.m. to noon and hosted at Ahukini, Kawailoa Bay, Kukuiula Harbor and Kapaa Saturday. Some sites require scuba gear. Reach out to malamapapa@gmail.com for more information;
w Also on Saturday, join family fishing. Contact Kathleen@kilaueapoint.org for more information.
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Jessica Else, environment reporter, can be reached at 245-0452 or jelse@thegardenisland.com.
