LIHU‘E — Carl Berg of the Surfrider Foundation of Kaua‘i said there is not much going on for this year’s World Oceans Day observance today because no one knew when the lockdown would be lifted.
Individuals and families can make a difference by spending a day, or days, picking up debris from a favorite Kaua‘i beach, then sending a video of the cleanup with a reason why they love the sea, he said.
These videos that must include names of the people involved and permission to post will be posted as “love letters to the sea” on the Kaua‘i Surfrider Facebook and Twitter pages through the end of June. Completed videos can be submitted to SurfriderKauaiCampaigns@gmail.com.
Friday, starting at noon, the National Marine Sanctuaries Webinar Series presents a free webinar, “Hawai‘i Manta Rays: Shocking New Evidence Reveals Two Genetically Distinct Populations Separated by a Mere 50 KM,” with Mark Deakos, a manta-ray and humpback-whale researcher based on Maui, leading the presentation.
Pre-registration is required for the event that is open to the public by visiting sanctuaries.noaa.gov/education/teachers/webinar-series. html.
The Kaua‘i Surfrider Foundation is co-sponsoring the second edition of the Kaua‘i Society of Artists Washed Up Marine Debris Art Show 2020 that opened to the public last week at Kukui Grove Center, with usual gallery hours weekdays from at least noon to 4 p.m. See the related story and photos, A4.
COVID-19 rules governing social distancing and face masks claimed the traditional opening reception of the art show, and instead the KSA gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today, World Oceans Day. The exhibit continues daily through June 26.
Surfrider Foundation O‘ahu Chapter is hosting a live streaming World Oceans Day Concert, Saturday, June 27, from noon to 2 p.m. on facebook.com/SurfriderOahu/. To register, visit bit.ly/sfoconcert.
The concert, presented by Tag Aloha Co. and Laulea Engineering, will feature performances by Taimane, Paul Izak, Tubby Love &Amber Lily, and Mama T &Same Ites, with Ray Lamay doing duty as master of ceremonies.
Today, World Oceans Day, Kaua‘i Ocean Discovery, although still closed at the Kukui Grove Center, will offer grab-and-go, free, ocean-learning kits in partnership with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources.
The kits focus on pono fishing and are appropriate for a range of ages. Each kit includes fishing coloring and activity books, pono fishing brochure, fish-identification guides and rulers to measure fish length, tide calendar, bookmarks, stickers and more.
Kits will be available outside Kaua‘i Ocean Discovery from noon until 2 p.m., or until supplies are exhausted. In the event of leftovers, the kits will be distributed free by Deja Vu Surf Hawai‘i at KGC.
The Storybook Theatre of Hawai‘i will begin a day of live streaming from 9 a.m. today on the Russell the Rooster Facebook and YouTube channel, at Storybook.org, and anainahou.org.
New stories, inflatable-marine-animal adventures and Caring for Our World’s Oceans, with links from around the world, are on the day’s schedule of events.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.