Ocean learning kits available Saturday

LIHU‘E — The humpback whales of this season were already documented off Maui last month, said Jean Souza, the Kaua‘i program specialist for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.

Souza, the on-site manager for Kaua‘i Ocean Discovery, and Aaron Swink of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources, were on hand Friday to distribute grab-and-go learning kits themed after the humpback whales.

“‘Hoi Kohola’ is the name given to the month-long series of events coordinated by the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary,” Souza said. “This is a new, sanctuary-coordinated celebration centered on sharing what we know about humpback whales as they return to Hawai‘i, where most of the North Pacific humpback whales are born.”

The grab-and-go learning kits include coloring pages, activity pages, bookmarks, temporary tattoos and informational brochures and information sheets, and are free and designed to encourage families to learn at home. They were designed to continue the education in spite of the Kaua‘i Ocean Discovery still remaining closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Humpback whales are the focus of the latest ocean-learning kits,” Souza said. “Humpback-whale education is of special importance at this time of the year when the first of up to about 12,000 whales begin to return to Hawai‘i to breed, calve and nurse their young. The kits are free, and appeal to families and a range of student grade levels. The kits contain paper copies as well as online resources for further learning.”

The ocean learning kits are available starting at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Princeville Public Library, and from 10 a.m. at Deja Vuu Surf Hawai‘i at Kukui Grove Center, while supplies last.

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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.