2015 | MAY | JUNE Aquarium Enrichment Ke Kani O Ke Kai A LOOK BEHIND THE SCENES TICKETS ON SALE SOON! Page 6 Page 5 FROM THE DIRECTOR W ith spring already upon us, the Aquarium is looking forward to the exciting array of enter- tainers in this year's Ke Kani O Ke Kai summer concert series. A list of the truly outstanding lineup of local entertain- ers, the dates of their performances and details about how to purchase tickets for these special events can be found on Page 5. Beyond being a wonderful community-oriented event, these concerts have an equally significant purpose in that all proceeds go towards education, research and conservation projects here at the Aquarium, and provide an important source of revenue for our many activities in these three areas. Cheryl Williams, Royal Hawaiian Hotel General Manager and Mike Swerdloff, Azure Restaurant presented Dr. Rossiter with a check for $2,456.78 from their Since being reintroduced 11 years ago, the sum- "You Dine, We Donate" Table 53 program. mer concerts have expanded and improved to where they are today, and have become one of the signature events on the summer social cal- endar. Often in excess of 600 guests are hosted in the ambience of the natural amphitheatre privacy for the monk seals, and more working of the Aquarium lawn, complete with food and space for staff. It is planned that the animal drink services, and as everyone reading this will holding area will be accessible to visitors as part already know, the best deal in town is the FOWA of behind the scenes tours. members' discount for tickets! Issue Number 192 Another project that should meet with unani- 2015 MAY | JUNE Elsewhere in the Aquarium, several projects mous approval: the public bathrooms are EDITOR Dr. Andrew Rossiter are nearing completion, and several others just scheduled for a complete renovation, to be beginning. Ever a work in progress, the renova- ready before the start of the concert series! We ART DIRECTOR Laura Whitelock tion and improvements to various facets of the apologize in advance for the inconvenience building's physical structure, the care and well caused while this work is ongoing, but are sure PRINTING Reskyu being of our live animals, and the offerings to you will feel the wait was worth it. A legacy of visitors, proceeds apace. Just beyond the gal- decades of patchwork repairs, the existing dated Kilo i‘a is published quarterly by the University of Hawai‘i and the Friends of Waikīkī Aquarium lery exit next to the oceanside walkway, a new and tired-looking bathrooms will be completely and is dedicated animal holding area is almost complete. Neatly gutted as part of a repair project. The new, ener- to increasing the community’s knowledge of the Waikīkī Aquarium and shaded with a custom built canopy, several local gy efficient bathrooms should provide a modern, Hawai‘i’s marine life. residents and passersby have been kind enough well appointed and pristine visitor experience. Waikīkī Aquarium to compliment us on this structure and the new, These, and so many other improvements that 2777 Kalākaua Ave. clean looking fencing that has been erected. have taken place around the Aquarium over the Honolulu, HI 96815-4027 PHONE (808)923-9741 In the immediate future, this fencing will be past few years, have only been possible through FAX (808)923-1771 extended along the gallery exit doors and across the kind support of the FOWA board, and ulti- www.waquarium.org the staff entryway to the monk seal area, provid- mately, to your memberships and other contri- WRITE TO US AT [email protected] ing a uniform appearance, greater butions. We thank you for your support towards © 2015 Waikīkī Aquarium our efforts to make the Waikiki Aquarium an educational and enjoyable visit for all. PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER WITH ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY INKS MANA‘O Traditionally, the kilo i‘a was an expert of fish and marine life. He studied the behaviors and movements of i‘a. The kilo stood at a high point of land overlooking the ocean to watch for an expected school of fish and steered the fishermen in the school’s direction. The success of surrounding the school was entirely up to the kilo. Dr. Andrew Rossiter Director, Waikīkī Aquarium 2 MAY-JUN 2015 CONTENTS Page 4 Aquarium Activities & Classes Ke Kani O Ke Kai Aquarium Activities & Classes 6 Enrichment Hawaiian Monk Seal Enrichment Training & "Enfishment" 10 An Ocean Full Of Microbes 12 Happy Healthy Animals 13 Aquaculture as a Conservation Tool 14 Our Supporters Wall of Fame Grants & Gratitude New & Renewing FOWA Members KILO I‘A 3 SAVE WAIKĪKĪ AQUARIUM ACTIVITIES & CLASSES THE DATE SEASONS AND THE SEA AQUARIUM HIGHLIGHTS TOUR FRIDAY, MAY 2, 6:00 PM WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 5:30-6:45 PM Get down to the Waikīkī Aquarium on Friday, May 2 as we say a hui hou TUESDAY, ULY 28, 5:30-6:45 PM to the wet season, ho‘oilo, and welcome the dry season, kau. Hawaiians Peek behind the scenes and then head into the Aquarium for a private, marked this time by observing the sun setting into the crown of Pu‘u o peaceful, after-hours tour. Meet both our youngest residents in the Kapolei at the foot of the Waianae mountain range. Join us in the park seahorse nursery and old friends like our 38-year-old giant clam. Learn ‘ewa of the Aquarium to observe this occurrence while enjoying traditional to appreciate the importance of sea cucumbers, the intelligence of an chanting and hula. octopus and the beauty and diversity of a coral reef. Get a look at the pep- permint angelfish and other unique species that can be seen only at Waikīkī Aquarium. $25/person, $15/member ages 8 and up. WORLD OCEANS DAY SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 9:00 to 10: 00 PM Celebrate the ocean by participating in a wide variety of marine related AQUARIUM AFTER DARK activities. Learn about ocean creatures like sea snails and sea horses. Free TUESDAY, JULY 7, 7:00-9:PM with admission to the Aquarium. Discover if fish sleep on an after-dark flashlight tour of the Aquarium. Find the sleeping spot for the red-toothed triggerfish or the rock-mover wrasse. Are yellow tang always yellow? Join us for a class followed by a tour of the SUMMER BY THE SEA exhibits. Minimum age 5 years; youngsters must be accompanied by an SESSION 1: JUNE 8-12 adult. $10/$7 for members, $15/adult, $10/child for non-members. SESSION 2: JUNE 22-26 Spend a week of summer learning about some of the animals that live in Hawaiian waters. What’s the best way to learn? By doing! Snorkel, swim PUPPET SHOW and explore the coast from Waikīkī to Diamond Head. After a morning of WEDNESDAY, MAY 20 - Monk Seal Puppet Show outside adventures, the Aquarium turns into a classroom. Learn about the WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17 - Octopus Puppet Show animals in our exhibits and watch them being fed on special behind-the- THURSDAY, JULY 16 - Sea Turtle Puppet Show scenes tours. For marine biologists 8-12 years of age. All students should Join Marianne Ambrose for educational puppet shows and learn about be confident swimmers and enjoy snorkeling. $275/child member ($325 for Hawaiian marine life. Free with admission to the Aquarium. non-members). BEHIND THE SCENCES KE KANI O KE KAI EVERY THURSDAY, 3:00 PM EVERY OTHER THURSDAY, 7:00 PM Learn what makes the Aquarium run, from fish food to quarantine, and JUNE 11, 25, JULY 9, 23, AUGUST 6 many stops in between. Climb-up and peer into the backs of the tanks and Hawaiian music at its finest in the perfect setting will once again return to see how exhibits are created. Visit the coral farm and the Jelly Hale, where the Aquarium lawn as we kick-off our ever popular summer concert series sea jellies are raised. Minimum age 8 years; youngsters must be accompa- Ke Kani O Ke Kai on June 11. Join us on Thursday evenings through August nied by an adult. Accessibility is limited. $10/$8 for members, $16/adult $12/ 6 for some of Hawai‘i’s top headlining entertainers accompanied by “Ono child for non-members. Kine Grinds” by popular Honolulu restaurants and caterers. See page 5 for the concert line-up. Check your mailboxes or our website for more concert info! Series tickets will be available for purchase from May 18. Look for class updates on: www.waikikiaquarium.org AQUATIC EXPLORERS! TUESDAYS, JUNE 9-AUGUST 25, 11:00-1:00 PM PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED Learn about marine life, fish identification, snorkeling, and dive gear. Kids ages 3-13 can try on fins and weight belts in partnership with a partnership To Register: Call 808-440-9011 or initiative with Oceanic Aeris and Waikiki Dive Shop. Free with admission to e-mail: [email protected] the Aquarium. AFTERNOONS AT THE AQUARIUM EVERY WEDNESDAY, 3:00 PM Every Wednesday, the Aquarium hosts an interactive learning activity near the Monk Seal Deck. Join us for a critter encounter, a game or a marine science craft designed for families. Examples include: Oragami Fish, Honu Petroglyph Printing, and Special Guest, Dr. Rachel Sprague, Monk Seal Recovery Coordinator on May 6. Free with admission to the Aquarium. 4 MAY-JUN 2015 KE KANI O KE KAI The Waikiki Aquarium’s popular annual summer concert series offers visitors and residents an evening of live entertainment and food under the stars. The five-concert series is held on alternating Thursday evenings from mid- June through early August. Featuring some of Hawaii’s top entertainers, doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the concerts begin at 7 p.m. Guests are encouraged to explore the Aquarium galleries that remain open throughout the evening and bring blankets/chairs to sit on the Aquarium’s lawn. Some of Hawaii’s finest entertainers make this major fundraiser one of the best and most unique ways to experience the Aquarium. Entertainment line-up: Concert Date Performers June 11 Kailholu & Makana June 25 Sean Naauao & Ben and Maila July 9 Kawika Kahiapo & Raiatea Helm July 23 Cyril Pahinui & Jerry Santos August 6 Jake Shimabukuro Tickets will go on sale on May 1 to FOWA members only and then to the general public on May 18th and then single concert tickets will go on sale on June 2nd. For more info visit: http://www.waikikiaquarium.org/interact/annual-events/ke-kani-o-ke-kai/ FUN FACT Did you know... Seahorses can grow fleshy appendages called cirri on their bodies. This gives them a weed like appearance and helps with camouflage. KILO I‘A 5 HAWAIIAN MONK SEAL ENRICHMENT T he importance of enrichment in captive care of marine Maka’onauna and Ho’ailona primarily receive tactile enrichment. mammals is paramount. These intelligent animals This means that they are often offered objects that they are able to require both mental and physical stimulation to interact with; this could be anything from a mimicked ‘waterfall’ to a enhance their lives. In addition to providing stimulation, body board. While both animals definitely appear to have enrichment enrichment can help these animals adapt to changes in items that they prefer, they also interact with certain items differently their environment and can also be used to encourage on occasion. For example, sometimes they swim under the ‘waterfall’ natural behaviors. The slightest change or addition to a habitat can as if they were getting a massage, and on other occasions completely be considered ‘enrichment’, as it is something new and different. If ignore it. Even if the latter does happen, the item is still enriching as it you’ve ever seen Ho’ailona playing with a fender, or Maka’onauna has added something different to the animal’s natural environment. dunking his head in a bin full of running water and fish, you’ve seen examples of monk seal enrichment. Ho’ailona is particularly interested in objects he can wrap his flippers around, and is often seen sleeping at night with his flippers around a The key to marine mammal enrichment at the Aquarium is choice particular enrichment item. Often when animals lack in one ‘sense’, the and variability. Animals always have the choice of whether to other senses become heightened. Ho’ailona’s eye sight has steadily interact with the chosen enrichment item. We try to vary the time of decreased over the years, and it appears that his hearing has improved day they receive enrichment, as well as the type of enrichment, so to compensate. Trainers can often be found serenading Ho’ailona with a that the animals remain stimulated. harmonica before the Aquarium opens. He responds by swimming over Hard Rock Cafe located on Beachwalk Avenue off of Kalakaua A fundraiser to benefit the Waikiki Aquarium! Thursday, May 14 5:30-7:30 PM $15 pre-sale / $25 at the door Includes pupus, beer, & wine from Happy Hour menu ROCK OUT - Space is limited - To purchase tickets visit our website or call 440-9027 12 MAY - JUN 2015 6 MAY-JUN 2015 FOR A GOOD CAUSE 6 M6A Y -M JAUYN - 2 J0U1N5 2015 to the source of the music and placing his face against the window. If he was not Interested in being inspired stimulated positively by the sound, he would veer away from the source rather than gravitate towards it. on a daily basis? Maka’onauna seems to particularly enjoy the ‘tide pool’ enrichment offered to him. Follow us on This enrichment is a shallow bin of water with a handful of fish in it. The bin has a continuous flow of water which creates an environment similar to that of a shallow Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. tide pool. In the wild, monk seals are often seen foraging in tide pools. This type of enrichment simulates the natural foraging behaviors of monk seals as he dips his @waikikiaquarium head in the water and forages through the “waves” in search of fish. The Monk Seal Team are constantly trying to find different ways of stimulating #waikikiaquarium Maka’onauna and Ho’ailona. Next time you come to the Aquarium, take a look around the monk seal exhibit and see what enrichment items you might find. Maybe you’ll be lucky enough to get serenaded too! In celebration of the Waikiki Aquarium’s 110th anniversary last year, Oregon-based Rogue Ales launched a Monk Seal Ale, and recently presented $7500 of the proceeds to the Waikiki Aquarium to benefit its Hawaiian Monk Seal Program. DBWFyirsaortoimrkinbik LAui ttpAeooqr .R;u a:a nFrOidu WmPaA rD aBidroeiascertd oB rMe Dveerm.r Aabgneedrssr e PFwraey Rseiod Kseusnirttre ePrn;a R uaoln gAduh Me C aBoreoceukrs, A aB mRoolbaganusKdseI;a L BdOeo eIr‘ rA 7 & T R A I N I N G “ E N F I S H M E N T ” hile terrestrial enrichment is well position of the flags where changed for variation and W documented, relatively little attention the Knifejaw was able to target with a 100% accuracy has been paid to the marine on each occasion. environment. At the Waikiki Aquarium, training and enrichment were once Training with this animal was initiated with the considered supplementary activities only, but are now intention of decreasing aggression and providing increasingly and are considered an integral part of basic stimulation. However, the Knifejaw learned so husbandry. While once considered supplementary, quickly that Biologists strived to find new ways to enrichment is now considered an integral part of basic challenge ‘Zulu’. During the training, which took husbandry. This trend can be seen throughout the three weeks and included twelve flags, the animal Aquarium as enrichment and training techniques are only appeared confused with the introduction of the used in dietary management, behavior modification second flag and when the color of the Hawaiian state and management of medical procedures. In addition, flag was altered. In both instances, ‘Zulu’, learned enrichment can be used to enhance visitor experience very quickly. As other stimuli were introduced, the and change misconceptions regarding the cognitive animal appeared to be ‘thinking’ before choosing the ability of certain animals. Training and enrichment are appropriate target. The target has since been used to currently being used with the aquarium’s Hawaiian monk coax the fish into a bucket for relocation and to swim seals, the octopus, fish and turtles. through a hoop. While fish that are able to target are not uncommon, this animal is impressive in that it The Spotted Knifejaw (Oplegnathus punctatus) is one of takes an average of 30 seconds to learn each time a the fishes currently being trained at the Aquarium. This new stimulus is introduced. Training and enrichment relatively uncommon reef fish has an incredible cognitive with this animal are ongoing. ability, and get their common name from their beak-like jaw, which they use to consume hard items, such as sea urchins. While ‘growing out’ in Quarantine, the inquisitive young fish would regularly scratch the acrylic with its beak and would react aggressively to any stimulus. If you would like to see some of the Biologists at the Aquarium decided that this intelligent animal needed more stimulation as this would decrease training and its remarkable cognitive aggression. abilities, first hand, visit: http://youtu.be/XrnnPo4mfgw . The Knifejaw, named ‘Zulu’, was trained to station on a specific part of the Hawaiian state flag. A few days later, a second flag was added. The fish had a little difficulty distinguishing between the two flags initially, but after two days, was able to differentiate between the Hawaiian state flag and the American flag with a100 % accuracy. Biologists added a new flag each day, eventually reaching a total of twelve different flags. The orientation and 8 MAY-JUN 2015 VOLUNTEER The Waikīkī Aquarium aims to “inspire and promote understanding, appreciation and conservation of Pacific marine life.” More than 300 wonderful volunteers help to make this mission a reality. These special people, diverse in age, background and experience, are eager to learn more about Hawaii’s marine environment and how they can share this knowledge with others. Whether you are a professional or a homemaker, retired or work full-time, a teacher or a student, the Aquarium needs your skills and talents. Currently Seeking: Aquarium Educators Gift Shop Volunteers Expert Gardeners Starting registration for September Docent training. To Learn more about our programs and to apply online, visit WaikikiAquarium.org/volunteer Did you know... The next Waikiki Aquarium Algae Clean up is on June 6th? Send your name and email to [email protected] to be added to the registration list and to recieve invites to future clean-ups. KILO I‘A 9 An Ocean Full of Microbes The Aquarium is home to a diverse collection of marine organisms. While most of these animals are readily visible to the naked eye, there are a multitude of organisms that can’t be seen without a microscope. Marine microbes refer to microscopic protists, (single- celled animals and algae), bacteria, viruses and archaea, (organisms that look like bacteria but have different cell walls and biochemistry and are fundamentally very different from other life forms). It is estimated that these microbes account for more than 90 % of the ocean’s biomass. Just one drop of seawater can hold up to ten million viruses, one million bacteria and one thousand protists. Photos courtesy of NOAA 101 0 M MAAYY- -J UJUNN 2 2001155