LIHU‘E — “There’s a turtle!”
King Kaumuali‘i Elementary School student Kyani Raquel was excited as she started to count the number of marine wildlife with the help of her brother, Xyler Raquel, who immediately spotted the humpback whale and added the barracuda to his viewing list.
The pair enjoyed the after-school activity with the special poster illustrated by Roger Hall of California, who is a partner of Kaua‘i Ocean Discovery and the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.
The poster on marine wildlife is among the items in the free grab-and-go learning kit being distributed while supplies last Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. fronting the Kaua‘i Ocean Discovery at Kukui Grove Center in Lihu‘e.
Learning kits will also be available from 9 a.m. at the Princeville Public Library, and from 1 p.m. at Deja Vu Surf Hawai‘i at Kukui Grove Center.
“Jean Souza, the Kaua‘i program specialist for the HIHWNMS, showed us this beautiful poster for the grab-and-go distribution, and we thought it would be awesome to have a giant version of it up for the public to enjoy,” said Melissa McFerrin-Warrack of Kukui Grove Center.
“This is the time of the year when OceanFest activities would normally be taking place, and we wanted something special to share with the community to mark the occasion and raise awareness during whale season,” said McFerrin-Warrack.
”We are so appreciative of the creativity of the Kaua‘i Ocean Discovery team and partners to find a way to pivot and continue to share their mission and ocean resources in new ways over this past year.”
The free, full-color, Hawai‘i marine wildlife poster will be accompanying the grab-and-go learning kits focused on one of the Kaua‘i Ocean Discovery partners, Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. The kits contain an activity book, word puzzles, brochures, online resources and more, suitable for all ages, from elementary grades and up.
“The hope is that these materials will spark continued learning among family members,” said Souza.
The poster also serves as a preview of the new large outdoor panel, Oe E Kanaloa, Ola! that should be ready for viewing Saturday near the keiki play area.
The panel highlights the connections to Kanaloa, the Hawaiian deity of the ocean realm, and the sea creatures, big and small, that are manifestations of Kanaloa. The panel was designed by wildlife and scientific illustrator Hall, who is a frequent visitor to Hawai‘i.
Oe E Kanaloa, Ola translates to “These are You, Kanaloa, Live!” and comes from a Hawaiian chant and named by Malia Nobrega-Olivera of the University of Hawai‘i Hawai‘inuiakea School of Hawaiian Knowledge.
“I am thrilled to tears about this new panel designed by the exceptionally talented Roger Hall, who is known for his scientific and wildlife illustrations,” Souza said.
“The panel is beautiful and inspiring, and a testament of the power of art for conservation. We are so appreciative of Roger’s pro-bono help, and that of Malia, Kukui Grove Center and others for the benefit of the people of Kaua‘i.”
The panel is funded by Kukui Grove Center, and is expected to be on display for a few months.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
