Edge of the Reef Exhibit Reconstruction
The Waikīkī Aquarium is the university’s most popular community outreach resource, each year hosting around 300,000 guests. Around 28,000 local schoolchildren annually participate in in- house education classes and programs, and the aquarium plays an important role in children’s education, helping cultivate a conservation mindset.
One must-see exhibit, and a cornerstone of our education programs, is the outdoor Edge of the Reef exhibit, one of the first touch tanks in the U.S. Here, trained volunteers educate guests and students about the reef animals living in the exhibit. Edge of the Reef provides a unique volunteer opportunity, especially for college students, to gain hands-on experience in the field of marine biology. And for many, it provides a first, unforgettable introduction to the wonders of Hawai‘i’s reefs.
Unfortunately, an upcoming major construction project will destroy the exhibit, and the university has neither plans nor a budget to replace it! Therefore, we are seeking your support to help us fund a new and expanded Edge of the Reef, with more education stations to explain about Hawai‘i’s marine life. This project will also be integrated with a new Hawaiian Fishponds exhibit, highlighting native Hawaiian culture in a realistic setting.
Please support our appeal and help us avoid the unthinkable scenario of no Edge of the Reef at the Waikīkī Aquarium. Your gift today will help us build a new Edge of the Reef, our primary education tool, while inspiring the next generation of marine biologists. Thank you for giving to the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa – Waikīkī Aquarium.
