Join the Monk Seal Count & Ridge to Reef Events

Upcoming October Events

2nd Annual Main Hawaiian Islands Monk Seal Count: Oct. 19, 2019

10th Annual Ridge to Reef Rendezvous and associated events:

Lecture series at the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary:
• Oct. 9: Darla White, “Eyes of the Reef: Preparing for Bleachapalooza” 6 to 8 p.m.
• Oct.16: Dr. Ivor Williams, “The Kahekili Herbivore Fisheries Management Area: Insights from 10 Years of Science and Management” 6 to 7 p.m.
• Oct. 30: Ekolu Lindsey, “A Voyage to Papahānaumokuākea: Seals, Turtles, Wonder, and Heartbreak” 6 to 7 p.m.

Oct. 20: Ridge to Reef Cleanup at Māla Wharf and special “Reef Geeks Hazy IPA” Beer Release Party with Koholā Brewery and Maui Diving – Scuba & Snorkel Center​

Oct. 23: Science Night at Koholā Brewery, “Turf Algae: The Lager of Limu in a Sea of IPAs” by Donna Brown, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

K-12 Art Contest & Social Media Messaging Challenge (Oct. 15 deadline to enter)

KEIKI & ʻOHANA CATCH & RELEASE FISHING TOURNAMENT (Oct. 26, 8 to 11 a.m.)

RIDGE TO REEF RENDEZVOUS (Oct. 26, 9 a.m. to noon)

Details about all the Ridge to Reef Rendezvous events and opportunities can be found by clicking HERE.

Aloha Monk Seal Enthusiasts:

Join NOAA Fisheries in our 2nd Annual Main Hawaiian Islands Monk Seal Count event. It is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers are invited to spend a few hours along the beautiful coastline looking for the endangered Hawaiian monk seal and maybe even clean up the seals’ shoreline habitat. The Seal Count is open to everyone – no experience needed. Just come to one of the following pre-count meetings and you’ll learn everything you need to know in one hour:

1. Date: Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019
Time: 6 to 7 p.m.
Location: Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, 726 South Kīhei Road, Kīhei

OR

2. Date: Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019
Time: 6 to 7 p.m.
Location: Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaiʻi, 192 Māʻalaea Road. *Limited seating. Call (808) 270-7075 to reserve a seat.*

RSVP to [email protected] if you would like to participate in the count and which meeting you are planning to attend.

Please report all sightings of Hawaiian monk seals in Maui County to NOAA Fisheries Maui Seal Sighting Hotline: (808) 292-2372, or the 24hr toll-free Marine Animal Hotline: 1 (888) 256-9840

October lecture series with the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary and Science Night at Koholā Brewery

Join a series of Wednesday evening presentations leading up to the Ridge to Reef Rendezvous:

Wednesday, Oct. 9, 6 to 8 p.m., Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary (726 South Kīhei Rd, Kīhei): “Eyes of the Reef: Preparing for Bleachapalooza” presented by Darla White. According to the Eyes of the Reef Monitoring Network for Coral Bleaching & Disease, Crown-of-Thorns Sea Stars and Marine Invasive Species, “there is a coral bleaching event in progress. The ocean is more than 2 degrees C over normal. We need your kōkua to report coral bleaching. Those attending the Eyes of the Reef Workshop will learn how to identify threats to the reef, with a special emphasis on coral bleaching. NOAA Coral Reef Watch satellite predictive tools indicate high probability of coral bleaching and mortality over the next two months and we need your eyes on the reef.”

Wednesday, Oct. 16, 6 to 7 p.m., Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary (726 South Kīhei Rd, Kīhei): “The Kahekili Herbivore Fisheries Management Area: Insights from 10 Years of Science and Management” presented by Dr. Ivor Williams. Dr. Ivor Williams of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will share the story of the science behind the KHFMA, present the latest findings on reef health, and reflect on the insights gained over the 10 years since the establishment of this unique Marine Managed Area on Maui.

Wednesday, Oct. 23, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Koholā Brewery (910 Honoapiʻilani Hwy, Lahaina):
“Turf Algae: The Lager of Limu in a Sea of IPAs” presented by Donna Brown. For the brewery’s Science Night series, Donna will share her experiences from 25 years of research on Kahekili reef, and new insights about the algae assemblages found there. Note: minors may attend if accompanied by a legal guardian.

Wednesday, Oct. 30, 6 to 7 p.m., Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary (726 South Kīhei Rd, Kīhei): “A Voyage to Papahānaumokuākea: Seals, Turtles, Wonder, and Heartbreak” A Journey… presented by Ekolu Lindsey following his participation in a recent expedition.

Keiki & ʻOhana Catch & Release Fishing Tournament

The Keiki & ʻOhana Catch & Release Fishing Tournament, part of this year’s Ridge to Reef Rendezvous, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 8 to 11 a.m. (with free lunch at noon, following the prize ceremony). Meet at 8 a.m. at Kahekili Beach Park (Old Airport Beach, 65 Kai Ala Dr, Lahaina, HI 96761).

RULES:
• Mandatory 8 am check-in for rules, overview, and supplies.
• 2 categories:
1) Papio category
2) Open category (all other fishes/NO HERBIVORES, since the location is within the Kahekili Herbivore Fisheries Management Area)
• Prizes for 1st-3rd place in each category
• Fish must be caught in KHFMA boundaries from 8:15 to 10:45 a.m. (Boundaries will be explained at 8 a.m. meeting)
• When fish are caught, a photo must be taken with phone or camera with supplied ruler from tournament officials and released immediately.
• Photos will be submitted to tournament officials to qualify fish.
• In case of a tie, fish caught at earlier time will win,
• No photos will be accepted at tournament table after 10:45 a.m.

FISHING GEAR:
• POLE AND REEL ONLY, no spear diving or netting
• Each contestant allowed a maximum of 2 poles per entry:
* 1 dunking/baitcasting pole – barbless hooks only
* 1 spinning/whipping pole
• Dunking/baitcasting poles must use BARBLESS FISHING HOOKS (The tournament officials will provide barbless hooks at 8 am meeting)
• No swimming/paddling out lines. Lines must be casted from shore.
• Spinning/whipping lures, grubs, plugs, etc. do not have to be barbless.
• Camera phone or digital camera needed
• Must bring own fishing gear

Remember – this is a fun keiki and ʻohana event. Please fish pono and be pono with all contestants…

Any questions, please contact tournament organizer Adam Wong, Division of Aquatic Resources, (808) 446-2522 or email [email protected]

This free event promises fun for all ages, beginning with a catch and release keiki fishing tournament (check in at 8 a.m.) with great prizes. Tour our “haunted reef,” just in time for Halloween! Find yourself engaged in conversation with local conservation groups under the Ridge to Reef hui tent where volunteer information, hands-on interactive displays, demonstrations, and giveaways make it fun to learn how to mālama Maui. This event also features fabulous prizes for entering our scavenger hunt.

Lunch will be provided first-come, first-serve through the generous support of CJ’s Deli & Diner and the Westin Nanea Ocean Villas.

SCHEDULE:
8 a.m. – Keiki & ‘Ohana Fishing Tournament mandatory check-in, rules, and overview
9 a.m. – General event check-in and giveaways
9:30 a.m. – Bleachapalooza introduction
10 a.m. – Guided snorkeling tour of the haunted reef
11 a.m. – Prizes awarded for Fishing Tournament, Art Contest, and Scavenger Hunt
11:45 a.m. – Lunch provided by Westin Nanea & CJs

K-12 Art Contest and Social Media Messaging Challenge

All Maui K-12 students are invited to enter the Ridge2Reef K-12 art contest and social media messaging challenge; finalists’ entries will be displayed at the Ridge to Reef Rendezvous (Saturday Oct. 26, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Kahekili Beach Park in North Kāʻanapali) and all event attendees will have the chance to vote for the grade-group winners and a grand prize winner.

Details:
• Art Materials: Art entries must be no larger than 8 1⁄2” X 11” and be created on paper, cardboard or foam board. Arts and crafts materials may be used, such as crayons, markers, colored pencils, yarn, etc. Computer-generated artwork and text WILL NOT be accepted. Submit art in a flat envelope.
• All entries must also be clearly labeled on the back, upper left hand corner with the student’s first and last name, and phone number and/or email address. (PLEASE PRINT).
• Deadline: Oct 15, 2019
• Entries can be mailed or delivered to: Patty Miller, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale Sanctuary, 726 S. Kīhei Road, Kīhei, HI 96753

Poster Topics:
Grades K-5: If you were in charge of protecting the ocean and coral reefs, what would you tell people they should do (or not do) to help keep marine life and their home healthy?
Grades 6-12: Whatactions can people take to protect our oceans and reefs? Choose one action, and create a message encouraging people what to do. How and why should they take action?

Bonus! Social Media Messaging Challenge:
Students can earn an extra entry into the fantastic prize drawing at the Ridge to Reef Rendezvous by sharing their stewardship messages on their own social media accounts (Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook), using the hashtag #R2R10th in one of two ways: 1) post a photo of the artwork they entered into this contest, or 2) make a short video or caption a photo about the stewardship message they chose. Social media posts must use the hashtag #R2R10th, and be posted by 9 am on Friday, October 25th in order to be entered into the drawing, and students must be present at the Ridge to Reef Rendezvous to claim prizes won in the drawing.

Ridge to Reef Cleanup and special “Reef Geeks Hazy IPA” Beer Release Party with Koholā Brewery and Maui Diving – Scuba & Snorkel Center​: Sunday, October 20th

On Sunday, Oct. 20, Koholā Brewery and Maui Diving– Scuba & Snorkel Center are teaming up with the West Maui Ridge to Reef Initiative, and will be coordinating a special cleanup at Māla Wharf in Lahaina (with both underwater and land based components), to be followed by a party at Koholā Brewery celebrating the special release of a new beer, “Reef Geeks Hazy IPA,” in support of watershed stewardship efforts on Maui.

Participants should meet at Maui Diving – Scuba & Snorkel Center’s location at 910 Honoapiʻilani Hwy, where transportation to Māla Wharf will be provided via the center’s vans, or carpooling arranged; the party at Koholā Brewery will occur after the cleanup, at noon. Advance registration is required to participate in the cleanup and Reef Geeks Hazy IPA party; please email [email protected] or call (808) 667-0633 to sign up. The event itself is free; Maui Diving will provide free tanks and weights to certified scuba divers, and a special discounted rate of $25 for gear rentals. Lunch is free to those who participate in the cleanup, with a portion of beer sales benefitting the West Maui Ridge to Reef Initiative. Minors are permitted at the brewery if accompanied by an adult legal guardian.

Advance registration required; please email [email protected] or call (808) 667-0633 to register.