UH-Hilo Ocean Day Festival Rescheduled for April 21

After being rained out in February, the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s 6^th annual Ocean Day Festival has been rescheduled for Saturday, April 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Because of ongoing construction at the Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal Resources Center, this year’s event will be held at the Hilo Bayfront Beach Park.

The Ocean Day Hawaii Malama Kanaloa Festival focuses on increasing awareness of ocean and coastal issues such as conservation, sustainable use of resources and ocean safety through fun and interactive displays, activities and booths.

“The mission is to raise public awareness of the impact people have on the ocean environment, promote conservation of precious ocean and coastal resources in a culturally sensitive way, and communicate the outcomes of current ocean and coastal research, management and education efforts in Hawai‘i,” UH-Hilo officials said.

The Bayfront area will be the venue for festivities which will include informational booths, fishing games, “marine critter” touch tanks and marine-life block printing.

The information booths will feature the Kalākaua Marine Education Center, NOAA’s Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, The Honolulu Zoo, Hilo Marine Mammal Response Network, Pacific Tsunami Museum, Mauna Kea Watershed Alliance, Mālama ka `Āina Hana ka `Āina, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and many other organizations and community groups with activities focused on protecting Hawai‘i’s natural resources.

Other activities will include mask- and puppet-making, makahiki games, face painting, poi-pounding, seed planting and more, officials said.

There will also be live music by Kainani Kahaunaele and the Lono Kanaka`ole Trio, with hula being performed by by Ka `Umeke Kā`eo students.

The event is hosted by the UH-Hilo Pacific Island Programs for Exploring Science in partnership with the County of Hawai`i, EPSCoR Hawai`i IMUA III, Hawai`i Pacific Island Campus Compact, UH-Hilo Campus & Community Service Program, UH-Hilo Student Activities Council, and the University of Hawai’i Sea Grant program.