The Waikiki Aquarium certainly made a splash with its 118th birthday celebration this year: special lectures, beach activities, cleanups and even the planting of 118 coastal plants, all in an effort to conserve Hawai‘i’s precious shoreline and fascinating species thriving beneath the water’s surface.

“Since 1904, the Waikiki Aquarium has worked to inspire and promote the understanding, appreciation and conservation of Pacific marine life,” shares Dr. Andrew Rossiter, Waikiki Aquarium Director.

Founded in 1904 and operated by the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa since 1919, Waikiki Aquarium welcomes 280,000 visitors annually, and is located on the shoreline of Waikiki Beach: an ideal location, as it’s next to a real living reef, as well as across from easily accessed Kapi‘olani Park.

The Waikiki Aquarium prides itself on being the second-oldest aquarium in the United States, and while it may not be as massive as the multi-level aquariums on the mainland, it still boasts over 500 unique species of marine life and maintains more than 3,500 curious marine specimens ... and counting. Earlier this year, in sync with the 118th birthday celebration, Waikiki Aquarium welcomed two new whitetip reef sharks to its Hunters on the Reef exhibit.

Temporary and permanent exhibits, coupled with recurring education and research programs, focus on the unique aquatic life of Hawai‘i and the Pacific’s tropical waters.

As a working research facility, the Waikiki Aquarium prides itself on ocean conservation efforts, especially in our home Pacific waters. Friends of the Waikiki Aquarium (FOWA) is the nonprofit organization in support of the purpose and mission of the Waikiki Aquarium: “to inspire and promote understanding, appreciation and conservation of Pacific marine life.”

Understanding being one of the core pillars of their values, established in 1995, FOWA wishes to promote education and awareness to protect Hawai‘i’s endangered marine life. Appreciation, being the second of their three pillars, FOWA works to assure that adults and keiki alike foster a deep appreciation for Pacific marine life. And finally, FOWA conservation efforts assure enjoyment and education for future generations, visitors and locals alike.

FOWA members are composed of individuals, organizations and busi- nesses who are all invested in our island chain’s marine life.

Not only will joining FOWA help advance these ocean conservation and research efforts, but it also grants members free annual admission, as well as Natural Selection gift shop discounts and other beneficial perks, such as members-only events and the possibility of renting out the aquarium for evening soirées. If you have your own at-home aquarium, you can even benefit from free saltwater pick-ups to fill your own home or office aquarium.

While FOWA’s events and activities are many — a blog, art contests, and regular lectures and VIP exclusives—most notable, and in tune with the sunny months ahead, is the aquarium’s popular, fundraising summer concert series Ke Kani O Ke Kai, which will make a comeback this year on June 30, July 21, and August 11. Offering live entertainment and refreshments under the stars, as well as the opportunity to tour a few aquarium exhibits, FOWA is thrilled to bring back this beloved event that attracts locals and visitors alike.

Thanks to all the efforts of the FOWA, we look forward to seeing what the Waikiki Aquarium has in store in the next 118 years ahead.

fowaquarium.org