Lots of things happening in and around the sanctuary!

Lots of things happening in and around the sanctuary!

MAUI: Register Now for the fall Maui Ocean Awareness Training Please register here for the Lahaina training – you will receive more detailed information about the exact dates and times closer to the date.
Local environmental organizations on Maui in partnership with the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary have joined forces to offer free Ocean Awareness Training certification classes to the community and to commercial marine activities operators. There are typically six evening classes that last 1½ hours each. Attendance at all classes is not required. However, if you complete all classes and attend one 3-hour field project of your choice, you will receive a C.O.R.A.L. (Care of our Culture, Ocean, Reefs and Animal Life) Certification Card that demonstrates your ocean knowledge to potential volunteer organizations or employers.
This free training will provide community volunteers and marine activity operators with up-to-date knowledge and interpretive skills to properly educate visitors about Hawaii’s unique marine and cultural environment. The training is an ideal opportunity for ocean users and enthusiasts, as well.
Find out more and register online at: http://www.oceanawarehawaii.org/

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KAUAI: Kauai Sanctuary Discovery Center Document Released 
Workshop at Kaumaulii Elementary School, Saturday, September 10, 2011 (9am to 3pm) 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of National Marine Sanctuary (ONMS) proudly announces the release of the planning document A Facility Strategy for the Kauai NOAA Sanctuary Discovery Center. The strategy was developed in collaboration with the Kauai community and details plans for the creation of a marine interpretive center for the island of Kauai.

The ONMS will hold a public workshop on Saturday September 10th 2011 at King Kaumualii Elementary School cafeteria in Hanamaulu (4381 Hanamaulu Road), 9 am to 3 pm to review the document. ONMS will then continue to work with the residents of Kauai to develop the next steps to move the discovery center project forward.

The island of Kauai is currently the northernmost boundary of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, and is also the largest and most populated island nearest the nation’s newest World Heritage site, Papahanamokuakea Marine National Monument (PMNM). The discovery center will feature interactive displays about the sites as well as a public meeting space, and possibly a wetlab and other resource areas.

The discovery center will be modeled on similar successful centers such as the PMNM Mokupapapa Discovery Center in Hilo, and the Kihei Learning Center in Maui. However, “the Kauai center will be uniquely Kauaian”, says Allen Tom, Regional Director for the ONMS.  “Public comments have been almost unanimous that the island of Kauai has a special environmental story to share with the rest of the world, and that is what needs to be the focus of this Center”, he continued.

The document, written by Facility Programming and Consulting, contains more than 2,000 hours of input from community leaders, residents, user groups and visitors. Native Hawaiian Cultural Practitioner Ms. Puanani Burgess facilitated the community meetings and had this to add: “It was gratifying to see the support from our Kauai community, and their enthusiasm for this exciting project. I look forward to continuing with the planning process, and all the way through to the blessing of the new Kauai Discovery Center!“
Hard copies of the report are available to read in all the public libraries on Kauai, Kauai Community College library, Kauai ONMS office (4370 Kukui Grove Street, Lihue, 808-246-2860) and can be downloaded here: (pdf, 4.7MB).
Additionally, if you would a hard copy or CD Rom of the document send a request by email to mhtml:{BAF4F777-B106-4B0C-95F3-C30F3CEE4E12}mid://00001009/!x-usc:mailto:Allen.Tom@noaa.gov,
Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
ONMS Pacific Islands Region
Mokupapapa Discovery Center
Old Lahaina Courthouse project
Kihei Learning Center

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“Oceans of Opportunity” Education Symposium
Saturday, September 17, 2011
8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Hilton Waikoloa Village
Kona, Hawaii 

Each year the Marine Technology Society (MTS) and the IEEE Oceanic Engineering Society proudly present the OCEANS Conference. This is the largest international professional meeting and exposition devoted to the full spectrum of ocean sciences, technology, policy, engineering, and education. Taking place September 19-22 in Kona, Hawaii at the Hilton Waikoloa Village, OCEANS 2011 MTS/IEEE will be a major forum for ocean scientists, engineers, industry end users and suppliers, technologists, educators and researchers, policymakers, and the public throughout the world to present their latest research results, state-of–the-art technologies, future concepts, and innovative ideas to their peers and many others who may be involved in deciding what future opportunities may lie ahead for our ocean. The OCEANS 2011 Conference has a continuous theme of ocean education and outreach throughout its week-long event, including an “Oceans of Opportunity” Education Symposium on Saturday, September 17th, which will include full day and half-day sessions, lunch, and an Education Plenary on the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument. Topics for this free Symposium include Pacific Corals and Climate Change, Sound in the Sea, and Ocean Exploration in the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument.

A brief description of the Symposium offerings follows: 

* Pacific Coral Reefs and Climate Change Module Workshop
This full-day professional development workshop will introduce educators of all grade levels to the Pacific Coral Reefs and Climate Change Module, following the National Park Service and COSEE Coastal Trends’ educational module on Coral Reefs and Climate Change.  The module was developed by a fellowship team that included Hawaiian high school teachers and University of Hawaii graduate and undergraduate students who synthesized National Park Service science and integrated cultural knowledge to produce the content.

* Discovery of Sound in the Sea Workshop
This half-day professional development, to be presented as a morning and afternoon session, will provide opportunities for middle and high school level educators to make connections between the phenomena of underwater sound and their education activities. The science of underwater sound, the production of sound, and the impact of anthropogenic sound on marine life will be discussed as participants engage in related science activities. Online resources will be shared, including an audio gallery of the underwater sounds produced by animals, people, and the natural world. Participants will receive free CD-ROMS to use with their students.

* Why Should We Explore the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument?
This half-day professional development, to be presented as a morning and afternoon session, will introduce middle and high school level educators to some of the reasons why ocean exploration and research are critical in the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument (MTMNM) through inquiry- and standards-based lesson plans that have been developed based on ocean exploration expeditions in the Monument area. Participants will be given ocean exploration curriculum materials and other resources to support the introduction of this exciting and engaging topic in their classrooms.

* Luncheon Keynote
The Mariana Trench Marine National Monument: Science Exploration and Research
Eric Breuer, Marine Monument Science Coordinator
Heidi Hirsh, Natural Resources Management Specialist
National Marine Fisheries Service, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center

For more information and to register for the “Oceans of Opportunity” Education Symposium go to: 

http://www.oceans11mtsieeekona.org/main.cfm/CID/45/EDUCATION-SYMPOSIUM/