Celebrate Seattle Hawaiian-Style at Seattle Aquarium

I’m just back from a quick trip to Hawaii,and upon returning found out about the new “Only in Hawaii” fish and coral exhibit at the Seattle Aquarium.  Designed to provide in depth information about the Pacific Ocean’s coral eco-systems, environmental sustainability and marine sanctuaries in the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii. the exhibit will be part of the Pacific Coral Reef exhibit.  It opens Monday, October 26th.

To celebrate the opening of the exhibit, the Aquarium is hosting a special Hawaii Day, which, among other things, features a contest to win a trip for 4 to Oahu, during a three week promotion of the exhibit.

It’s pretty cool how the exhibit came to be.  A team of Seattle biologists and divers teamed up with the same from the Waikiki Aquarium, the Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources, and the University of Hawaii and hand selected fish from a natural marine habitat in Hawaii.  They shipped the specimens to the Seattle tropical exhibit, using best practices to make sure of the highest level of survival and environmental protection.

You’ll see Potters Angelfish, Bluestripe Butterfly fish, Millet seed Butterfly Fish, Hawaiian White spotted Toby, Kole Tang, Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse, Shortnose Wrasse and Saddle Wrasse that were brought back by the Aquarium’s team.

To help celebrate the Hawaiian exhibit, a variety of entertainment and special events are also scheduled.  On Saturday, November 7th, between 1-3 pm, the Aquarium will feature Hawaii Day, with special Hawaiian entertainment, hula dancers, and leis for visits.

It’s not like you need another reason to visit the Aquarium, or another reason to plan a visit to Hawaii, but his exhibit sounds like a lot of fun.  Oh yeah, and educational, too!

Photo credit:  personal collection