Ocean Education

Introduction

There are so many resources out there and it’s hard to know what’s reputable and what’s not. It can get overwhelming! I’ve tried to lay out links, videos, graphics below to make things easier for you. Whether you’re visiting the island or live here, it’s always good to be informed and know what you can do to live responsibly and with mindfulness, no matter where you are.

Everything is connected. And if we go through life without asking ourselves why we do what we do, change won’t be meaningful. While what I’ve included below is ocean related it’s important to take a look at all your held beliefs and systems.

A hand making a shaka sign emerging from the water at sunset with mountains in the background.

What can we do better?

How can we do it with more kindness, respect, and love?

The Basics

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary

Homepage
This website has EVERYTHING about Hawai’ian Humpbacks: how to get involved, protect, learn, educate, share… Can you find where it tells you what koholālele means? It’s one of my favorite words.
NOAA Fisheries

Homepage
All the basics. From learning about specific ocean critters (their species page is super cool), laws and policies, science and data, to permitting, this site has all things ocean in our part of the world. You can learn about the marine mammal protection act, sustainable seafood, or population assessments. Trust me, your bases are covered even if it takes some digging. Don’t be afraid to use their “search” function.
Cascadia Research

Homepage
When I first moved here, I read Robin Baird’s book “The Lives of Hawai’i’s Dolphins and Whales” and it inspired me. If you want to get into the nitty gritty of whale science, buy the book. Robin Baird works for Cascadia and their website and social media are on point. They send out great updates, alerts to new scientific papers, and current events.
Maui Nui Marine Resource Council

Sign up for their newsletters!
While the name specifies a Maui focused database, I’ve found their emails to be helpful and not overwhelming! They give great updates via their “Reef in Brief” which highlights current topics about our oceans throughout the islands. They also send links to sign up for online talks and ways to get involved!

My Favorite Whale Facts

A whale breaching the ocean surface with water splashing around it, viewed from the side with dorsal fins visible.

Orca
In 1987 a female in the Puget Sound carried around a dead salmon on her head. And it spread to other resident pods! Orcas have culture.

Humpback Whale
The humpbacks peduncle muscle (connecting their tail and body) is the largest in the animal kingdom.

Beluga Whale
Belugas can suck pockets of air trapped under ice if they need air and haven’t found a hole in the ice.

Narwhal
The tusk of a narwhal is actually ivory and is a large canine tooth!

Guidelines on whale protection and human safety, including acceptable and unacceptable vessel maneuvers near whales, emphasizing maintaining distance, avoiding sudden movements, and respecting whale boundaries for responsible wildlife viewing.

An infographic titled "How Sunscreen Impacts Coral Reefs" with four illustrations. The first shows pollution increasing susceptibility to bleaching. The second depicts a mushroom cloud indicating nuclear effects. The third displays a DNA strand causing damage. The fourth illustrates coral deformities.

Guide on Reef Safe Sun Protection with tips including covering up, choosing zinc oxide, avoiding oxybenzone, reading labels, and avoiding spray sunscreens, featuring ocean scene with a boy surfing and underwater animals.

Big Island

Resources

Manta Pacific Research Foundation

Homepage
The non profit that catalogs all the alfredi and birostris mantas on the Kona coast.
Hawai'i Uncharted Research Collective

Homepage
A non profit that studies, researches, and uses citizen science to understand whale sharks. They’ve been the first to organize and publish about whale sharks in Hawai’ian waters! Have you seen a whale shark? Check out this website and submit your footage as a citizen scientist.
Hawai'i Community Tagging Program

Homepage
This is where you can go to learn about tagged sharks. Submit shark photos, request a tagging packet, report an interaction, report a deployed tag, and learn about photo identification.
Division of Aquatic Resources

Homepage
Fishing? Seeking a license or permit? DAR has it all. They even have games. Check out their Protected Species Program
Hawai'i Marine and Research Education Center

Homepage
It’s not a huge website, but they do some pretty awesome work with communities! Check out their recent newsletter here. They also have a good blog!

Ke Kai Ola

The Marine Mammal Center
Ke Kai Ola is the only Hawai’ian Monk Seal hospital and it’s here on the Big Island. They do some awesome work protecting this endangered species. Volunteer here!
Marine Life Photography

Homepage
BEST site I’ve found for identification of sea critters. Super fun to poke around. Founded by Keoki and Yuki Stender.
Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System

Homepage
This site is for the nerds. Dive deep my friends.