PRINCEVILLE — Adam and Liesl Eberly of Lancaster, Pa., thought a party was going on in the shelter of the pavilion fronting the putting green outside The Cliffs at Princeville Monday morning.
“This is really awesome,” said Adam after being informed the activity was part of Keiki Ocean Education Days at The Cliffs at Princeville. “To raise awareness about the environment is really important. Where we come from, there’s not enough awareness about the environment.”
The Cliffs at Princeville, one of the Surfrider Kaua‘i’s Ocean Friendly Visitors Program, partnered with the Surfrider Foundation, Kaua‘i to bring the free ocean education program to people who registered with The Cliff’s concierge Natasha Troche.
Parents taking full advantage of the morning showers joined their keiki who were made aware of the harmful effects of plastics pollution and marine netting, how the marine debris harms people and marine life, and how everyone can make a difference.
Armed with fun activities like disentangling sea creatures, some endangered, and dissecting “rescued” animals, the lessons were hands-on with new words being added to vocabularies that connect with the day-long awareness of plastics pollution and related marine debris.
The Cliffs at Princeville will be offering a second chance at Keiki Ocean Education Days, Aug. 27. People interested in experiencing the ocean awareness can register with Troche at ntroche@cliffsatprinceville.com, or calling 808-826-2005.
Surfrider Kaua‘i Vice Chair Barbara Wiedner, also the organization’s education and outreach chair, said the Keiki Ocean Education Days are drawn from the education programs available to all ages from K through Grade 12.
“Our team goes into the classroom for an interactive presentation followed by a beach cleanup field trip,” Wiedner said. “Surfrider has funds to cover the cost of the buses. I just want to let our community, schools, and youth program know that we are available.”
For more information on arranging educational programs, call Wiedner at 808-635-2593.
