PUHI — What is your idea, or vision for a proposed discovery center on Kaua‘i? The Pacific Islands Region, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of National Marine Sanctuaries wants to know and has extended its deadline for public ideas
PUHI — What is your idea, or vision for a proposed discovery
center on Kaua‘i?
The Pacific Islands Region, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration Office of National Marine Sanctuaries wants to know
and has extended its deadline for public ideas and visions until
Dec. 15.
PUHI — What is your idea, or vision for a proposed discovery center on Kaua‘i?
The Pacific Islands Region, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of National Marine Sanctuaries wants to know and has extended its deadline for public ideas and visions until Dec. 15.
A scoping workshop where participants had an opportunity to express their visions was hosted by NOAA last week at Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School. The meeting centered around five questions asked by the NOAA office to get an idea of how a Kaua‘i-based NOAA discovery center will become.
Allen Tom of NOAA said the center would be a place for education and discovery and could include exhibits, a wet laboratory classroom, multi-use rooms for lectures and presentations, aquariums, offices, and other features.
He utilized a slide show of other existing NOAA discovery centers in different coastline cities and regions to further kindle the scoping process.
Jean Souza, the Kaua‘i programs coordinator for the NOAA Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, said from now through Dec. 15 the public is welcome to submit ideas and visions for the discovery center.
“Folks are encouraged to answer the following five questions and e-mail them and any other comments to Jean.Souza@noaa.gov,” she said. “Please include a little information about yourself — name, address, and what you think is the ‘Gift of Kaua‘i.’”
The questions are:
1. What is your vision for Kaua‘i? Tell the story of Kaua‘i you envision living in and leaving for your children, their children, and their children;
2. How would a discovery center support your vision for Kaua‘i?
3. Who would that center serve? What values would be foundational to that center? What kinds of activities, services and programs do you see happening at the center?
4. Where could the center be located? Or, what should be the selection qualities or criteria for selecting a site?
5. How do you see yourself engaged in the development of the center?
Souza said all comments will be analyzed and compiled with the others received during the Saturday workshop as well as through e-mails. They will be added to the research that the consultant is currently conducting.
A meeting will be held on Feb. 5 at King Kaumuali‘i Elementary School in Hanama‘ulu where the draft findings and recommendations will be presented by the consultant to the public for feedback.
All inquiries should be directed to Jean.Souza@noaa.gov.
