The public is invited to the seventh annual University of Hawaii at Hilo Ocean Day Malama Kanaloa Festival from 10 a.m. -3 p.m. on Sunday at Hilo’s Bayfront Beach Park.
The public is invited to the seventh annual University of Hawaii at Hilo Ocean Day Malama Kanaloa Festival from 10 a.m. -3 p.m. on Sunday at Hilo’s Bayfront Beach Park.
This free event is hosted by the University of Hawaii at Hilo Pacific Island Programs for Exploring Science (PIPES) in partnership with the county, EPSCoR Hawaii IMUA III, UH-Hilo Student Activities Council, UH-Hilo Student Association, Board of Media Broadcasting, Board of Student Publications and the University of Hawaii Sea Grant.
Since its debut as Ocean Day in 2007, the festival has become a popular community event, drawing crowds in excess of 2,000 participants. Volunteer coordinator Amelie Sterling says the event also serves as an important learning resource for students.
“Ocean Day is a great volunteer opportunity for students to gain a service learning experience as well as enhance their resumes and build skills for the future,” Sterling said. “Some faculty members even offer it as an opportunity for students to gain extra credit or fulfill a community service requirement within their course.”
The Ocean Day Malama Kanaloa Festival is focused on increasing awareness of ocean and coastal issues such as conservation, sustainable use of resources and ocean safety through interactive displays, activities and booths.
Activities include fishing games, marine critter touch tanks, craft making, makahiki games, face painting, poi-pounding, seed planting, marine debris displays, and more.
The event also showcases ongoing research while providing opportunities to interact with people interested in working together to care for island and ocean communities.
For more information, email UHpipes@hawaii.edu or call Sterling at 933-0707.