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JOIN THE SEA OF KELPERS: WAIKIKI AQUARIUM INTERPRETER TRAINING BEGINS JANUARY 14, 2014

HONOLULU (December 26, 2013) – The Waikiki Aquarium offers a sea of volunteer opportunities that provide the chance to teach residents and visitors about Pacific marine life and conservation. The Aquarium will hold free interpreter training beginning on Tuesday, January 14.

Interpreters share natural history information on the Waikiki Aquarium’s outdoor reef exhibit, guide visitor observations and answer questions about the Pacific marine environment. The training course covers interpretation and hospitality skills, information on exhibit operations and various marine sciences. Interpreters work one two-hour shift per week for a minimum period of six months.

Eight training sessions will be held every Tuesday and Thursday evening from Jan. 14 to Jan. 30 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon in the Aquarium classroom. Individual sessions will then be scheduled for on-the-job training. Each trainee must attend the eight sessions prior to program acceptance.

Interested parties may call 440-9020 or e-mail volunteer@waikikiquarium.org for more information, or to schedule a meeting and reserve space in the class.

About the Waikiki Aquarium
Founded in 1904 and administered by the University of Hawaii at Manoa since 1919, the Waikiki Aquarium is located on the shoreline of Waikiki Beach next to a living reef and across from Kapiolani Park. The Aquarium – second oldest in the U.S. – showcases more than 500 marine species, and maintains more than 3,500 marine specimens. Public exhibits, education programs and research focus on the unique aquatic life of Hawaii and the tropical Pacific. The Aquarium welcomes more than 320,000 visitors annually, and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except Honolulu Marathon Sunday and Christmas Day. Admission is $12 for visitors; $8 for local residents and active duty military with ID, $5 for senior citizens and juniors ages four to 12; and free for children three and under and Friends of Waikiki Aquarium (FOWA) members. For more information about the Waikiki Aquarium, including membership, call (808) 923-9741 or visit www.waikikiaquarium.org.
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