If you happen to be lucky enough to live in paradise, you might have the time to check out a series of free lectures each Thursday evening in the month of June put on by the University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program. This lecture series mainly features the topic of aquaculture in Hawaii. The speaker events begin at 6:30 p.m. in the theater at the Hanauma Bay Education Center. Parking after 5:30 p.m. is free at the bay.
Of particular interest might be the June 9 talk “Aquaculture Activities in Hawai‘i” by Dr. Benny Ron, Aquaculture Program Coordinator, UH Aquaculture Program and Todd Low, Manager, Aquaculture Development Program, Hawai‘i State Department of Agriculture. Maybe there will be talk of exciting opportunities in paradise for future aquaculture businesses?
The other event that caught our attention right away is the June 23 “Kona Blue” by Neil Sims, Co-Founder and Vice President of Research, Kona Blue Water Farms. We’re already very familiar with Kona Blue for their production and marketing of Kona Kampachi, “the first sushi grade fish high in omega-3 fish oils from an open ocean fish farm.” Yes, we love our fish while they swim, but we also love ’em served up raw with some masago and wasabi, especially when they’re from a sustainable aquaculture program!
If you are lucky enough to attend one of these events, we’d love to hear what you learned and what you thought! The full press release with additional information is below — thanks to Tal Sweet and Reef Watch Waikiki for the head’s up!
Thursday evening programs highlight aquaculture activities in Hawai‘i
Every Thursday evening throughout the year the UH Sea Grant Hanauma Bay Education Program brings scientists and environmental leaders to share their work with the community in Hawai‘i.
The talks, which are always free to the public, share cutting edge research on a wide range of topics important to Hawai‘i and beyond. Throughout the month of June UH Sea Grant, in partnership with the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture and the University of Hawai‘i Aquaculture Program, will host Hawai‘i’s leading aquaculture experts. The fascinating talks will highlight specific projects as well as provide an overview of the aquaculture industry in the state. Aquaculture, the farming of ocean and freshwater plants and animals for human consumption, totaled $32.3 million in 2009 in Hawai‘i and is important economically, culturally, and as a source of food for the state.
The June lectures include:
June 2: “Aquaponics” by Glenn Martinez, Proprietor, Olomana Gardens
June 9: “Aquaculture Activities in Hawai‘i” by Dr. Benny Ron, Aquaculture Program Coordinator, UH Aquaculture Program and Todd Low, Manager, Aquaculture Development Program, Hawai‘i State Department of Agriculture
June 16: “The Mediterranean Monk Seal” by Alex Aguilar, International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Pinniped Specialist Group*
June 23: “Kona Blue” by Neil Sims, Co-Founder and Vice President of Research, Kona Blue Water Farms
June 30: “Aquaculture Activities at Hawai‘i’s Natural Energy Laboratory”, Jan War, Operations Manager, Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai‘i Authority
The events begin at 6:30 p.m. in the theater at the Hanauma Bay Education Center. Parking after 5:30 p.m. is free at the bay.
* this talk will not focus on aquaculture issues
###
The Hanauma Bay Education Program is administered by the University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program with support and generous funding from the City and County of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation.
The University of Hawai’i Sea Grant College Program is part of the University of Hawai‘i at M?noa’s prestigious School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology. It supports an innovative program of research, education and extension services directed to the improved understanding and stewardship of coastal and marine resources of the state, region and nation. Science serving Hawai’i and the Pacific for over 40 years.
