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WAIKIKI AQUARIUM’S DISTINGUISHED LECTURE SERIES TO SHINE SPOTLIGHT ON MARINE PROTECTED AREAS ON FEBRUARY 5

HONOLULU, HI (January 13, 2015) – The second oldest aquarium in the United States and a research center for some of Hawaii’s most pressing conservation issues, the Waikiki Aquarium continues with its popular Distinguished Lecture Series with internationally published researcher and NOAA Deputy Superintendent of Research and Field Operations, Dr. Randall Kosaki, on Thursday, February 5, 2015.

Dr. Kosaki’s talk, titled “Papahanaumokuakea: New Frontiers for Exploration and Conservation” will focus on the importance of marine protected areas, which encompass entire ecosystems around the world. Marine protected areas serve as a buffer zone to the coral reefs they surround and protect large spawning populations of marine life that aid in repopulating neighboring overfished areas.

“As Hawaii’s only marine conservation non-profit with an established, working relationship with NOAA, we at the Waikiki Aquarium are proud to partner with Dr. Kosaki on his research which explores a range of conservation issues,” said Dr. Andrew Rossiter, Director of the Waikīkī Aquarium. “These issues include ocean acidification, overfishing, marine debris and the propagation of invasive species and Dr. Kosaki’s research provides more explanation on how these issues impact Hawaii’s endangered and rare species, from the Hawaiian monk seals and green sea turtles to living corals.”

Admission is free. The Distinguished Lecture Series is sponsored by Matson; McCabe, Hamilton and Renny Co., Ltd.; University of Hawai’i Foundation and Honolulu Star- Advertiser. For more information, call (808) 923-9741 or visit www.waikikiaquarium.org.

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.

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