FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT:
Caroline Witherspoon or
Taryn Bohan
Becker Communications, Inc.
(808) 533-4165

WAIKĪKĪ AQUARIUM ISSUES CALL FOR ENTRIES FOR THIRD ANNUAL UNDERWATER AND OCEAN-RELATED PHOTO CONTEST

HONOLULU, HI (June 19, 2015) – The Waikiki Aquarium invites amateur and professional photographers ages 18 and over to compete for a chance to be featured in the 2016 Waikiki Aquarium Calendar and win ocean sporting gear prizes provided by American Underwater Products. The underwater and ocean-related photography contest will be hosted on the Aquarium’s social media pages and will help amplify the conversation of ocean education and conservation.

“We have been very impressed with the caliber of entries over the past two years,” said Dr. Andrew Rossiter, Waikiki Aquarium director. “The calendar showcases the beauty of Hawaii’s marine-life and has become a collector’s item for many of our visitors. We look forward to seeing what our talented participants have in store for us this year.”

Entries will be accepted through the Aquarium’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages between June 29 and July 10, 2015. Public voting on Facebook from July 11 to July 17, 2015 will determine 20 finalists. From the 20 finalists, a panel of judges will select 12 entries to be featured in the 12-month calendar. Winners will receive a themed “prize pack” of scuba gear and underwater equipment valued at $200, provided by American Underwater Products. Judges will also select one of the 12 winners’ shots for the cover of the calendar and an additional $500 prize. Each of the 12 winners will also receive copies of the finished calendar. Winners will be announced in early August.

Participants must “Like” the Aquarium’s Facebook or “Follow” the Aquarium on Twitter or Instagram and use the hashtag #WAQCalendarContest2015. There is no limit to the number of photo entries one can submit. Photos must be taken in the Hawaiian Island Chain (including the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands) between January 1, 2015 and July 10, 2015. Participants must be U.S. residents, ages 18 and over.

All participants must include the following information upon initial entry: full name, email address, zip code, title of photo, camera used, date photo was taken, location of photo taken, and additional details about the photo. Entries must be at least 300 dpi in resolution and 9 inches by 12 inches in size.

For complete details on the Waikiki Aquarium photo contest, visit www.waikikiaquarium.org or like the Aquarium on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/waikikiaquarium. For more information on American Underwater Products, visit http://americanunderwaterproducts.com.

About the Waikiki Aquarium
Founded in 1904 and administered by the University of Hawai‘i 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 Hawai‘i 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 or take a look at the Aquarium’s social media on Facebook (/WaikikiAquarium), Twitter (@WaikikiAquarium) or Instagram (@WaikikiAquarium).

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