Awards Ceremony - Buy A Ticket - Nominees - Winners

2007 LIVING REEF NOMINEE SUMMARY

COMMERCIAL DIVISION – OCEAN RECREATION BUSINESSES

DONAVAN DOMINGO- MAUI DREAMS DIVE SHOP, MAUI
Donavan Domingo is committed to preserving Maui’s marine environment and to promoting a sustainable marine tourism industry for Maui and all of Hawai'i.  He works extensively with the Maui Reef Fund, raising money by collecting a $1 fee from each customer that is donated to the fund and used for installing and maintaining mooring pins and pump-out stations, public education, and encouraging enforcement of environmental rules and regulations.  Domingo volunteered to maintain all of Maui County’s day-use mooring pins for an entire year and he and his company donate labor and equipment to monitor and repair moorings.  He also participated in garnering more financial support for day-use moorings with a successful PADI grant proposal.

NANCY EMERSON’S SURF SCHOOL
At Nancy Emerson’s Surf School, all surf instructors are trained about the importance of the coral reef for the ecosystem and specifically for surfing, threats to the reef and ways in which it can be preserved.  They then pass this knowledge on to their clients and students; customers receive beach-based orientation of coral reef protection as well as continual reminders of good reef etiquette while in the water.  A yearly eco-surf camp is held where students complete a 2 month course including the Ocean Awareness Training Certification, experience their own eco-surf training and complete CPR/1st aid.

SCOTT BURCH - MOKULUA KAYAK GUIDES, OAHU
Mokulua Kayak Guides (MKG) is dedicated to promoting and sustaining conservation of Hawaiian ecosystems with a focus on offshore island and marine ecosystems through educational and experiential visits of the Mokulua of O'ahu.  This responsible eco-tour company also increases awareness about coral reefs in Hawai'i among visitors, young and old, through their educational program that highlights marine life and conservation.  In addition, this company supports conservation through their active involvement in the Offshore Islands Restoration Committee.  MKG also includes in their fees a $5 conservation charge, which is levied to all their visitors and goes to the Offshore Islands Restoration Committee.  

TRILOGY EXCURSIONS
Trilogy Excursions is a 30 year old, family-owned and -operated local business that offers sailing charters from Maui to Lana'i, Molokini and West Maui. Triology was founded with a strict eco-tourism, "take pictures, leave bubbles" philosophy.  Through the years the company has assisted in heightening awareness within the state of Hawai'i's boating community about its environmental impact on the ocean, with special concern given to the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary in Maui County.  Trilogy also supports a variety of ongoing ocean and reef conservation efforts by donating vessels and crew time as well as financial support.

COMMERCIAL DIVISION – TRAVEL/TOURISM BUSINESSES

ATLANTIS SUBMARINES
Atlantis Submarines Hawai'i provides educational and engaging submarine experiences on O'ahu, Maui and Hawai'i island that raise awareness about the importance of preserving Hawai'i’s coral reefs and surrounding marine environment.  The company’s battery-powered submarine vessels are also among the most environmentally friendly in the world, helping to minimize the impact of the industry’s activities. The company has also introduced several artificial reefs, on O'ahu and Maui to create a solid substrate for coral to take hold and grow and to successfully increase the biomass of fish and other marine life. 

MAUI OCEAN CENTER
At the Maui Ocean Center, over 60 exhibits, each representing a different reef habitat showcases the natural beauty of Hawaii’s underwater world.  By seeing the living coral, colorful reef fish, graceful turtles, and more in exquisitely presented displays, guests to Maui Ocean Center form personal connections with the ocean and its inhabitants. It is this emotional bond that drives the decisions people make in their daily lives to protect the oceans and its resources.  Other efforts to foster relationships between the general public and Hawai'i’s reefs include: day camps for children, aquarium sleepovers, field trips, private naturalist tours, the monthly “Sea Talk” lecture series, and various promotions and special events throughout the year. 

OUTRIGGER HOTELS AND RESORTS

Outrigger Hotels and Resorts aspires to successfully own and manage coastal properties without negatively impacting the adjacent shorelines and oceans.  Outrigger aims to utilize the resources available to the company to work cooperatively with local, state, and federal government agencies, as well as not-for –profit organization and local consortium groups.  Outrigger consistently provides support in the form of services and other hotel resources, financial sponsorship and long-term partnerships with NOAA National Marine Sanctuaries, the Kohala Center and Girl Scout troop 425’s Reefteach program.

COMMERCIAL DIVISION – COMMERCIAL/RETAIL BUSINESSES

COSTCO
Costco has participated in several actions pertaining to conservation for Hawai'i’s reef ecosystems. They have volunteered to display the Coral Reef Etiquette video at all locations state-wide.  Upon requests from concerned citizens, the Hawai'i Costco locations also stopped the sale of uhu (parrot fish) and other reef fish which have been shown to have declining populations.   Costco has been open to requests and willing to form partnerships to help protect and enhance Hawai'i’s marine environment.

DIAMOND BAKERY
Diamond Bakery, a local company in operation for 85 years, has developed Reef Animal Cookies in part to raise public awareness of the importance of protecting coral reefs.  Through a partnership with Hawaiian airlines, they have created a children’s film on how to take care of the coral reef as well as reef fish identification cards and reef etiquette guidelines.

ZIGGY LIVNAT (FOR THE SEA PRODUCTIONS)
Ziggy’s passion and purpose in life has always been to protect the ocean and marine life.  His mission with his photos and films is to bring a sense of wonder and passion to others so that they will become inspired to take action and protect the magnificent underwater world.  He has produced several award winning underwater educational films and a public service announcement (PSA), Hawai'i Reef Etiquette, played in airplanes, hotels, dive shops, aquariums, and over 200 businesses and organizations statewide.  He also is dedicated to PSA development in other parts of the world to promote restoration and education. 

NON COMMERCIAL DIVISION – GOVERNMENT AGENCY

HAWKSBILL TURTLE RECOVERY PROJECT OF THE HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
The goal of the Hawksbill Recovery project is to identify, protect and monitor primary nesting areas for the endangered Hawksbill turtle on the island of Hawai'i.  In order to do this, the project controls non-native predators of eggs and hatchlings such as mongoose and feral cats and pigs and aims to reduce the impact on turtles from human activities.  Life history information and tagging data are also collected.  The program operates on a small budget using volunteers for the monitoring of turtles.  They also conduct outreach to local schools and communities.

ULUA/PAPIO TAGGING PROJECT – DNLR/DAR
The goal of this project is to work with fishermen in the community to fish for, mark with tags, and release certain coral reef fishes.  The project targets primarily ulua/papio to track growth, movement, and other behavior patterns that are unknown population parameters for important reef species.  Results from the project will be used to formulate management strategies that have a sound scientific basis.  In order to further strengthen resource management, the project works to build consensus with the fishery stakeholders who have a direct hand in its development.  Ultimately, sound management strategies should result in sustainable stocks of these fishes that comprise an important component of the coral reef fishery and of the ecology of the coral reefs.

SENATOR HEMMINGS
Years as a champion surfer and conservationist destined Senator Hemmings to be an advocate for Hawai'i’s near-shore environment in his career in state government.  His commitment to our reef's ecosystem and the natural resources of our state can be seen in his efforts promoting the designation of the Northwest Hawaiian Islands as the world's largest marine sanctuary.  As a senator, he also introduced legislation to create an extensive plan to address overuse of our state waters, limit the visitor accommodations that impact our resources.  Senator Hemmings also is a leading proponent of renewable energy. 

EDUCATION

MIKE AND TERRI FAUSNAUGH
Mike and Terri Fausnaugh are exemplary community volunteers who have gone above and beyond to make a difference for Maui’s reefs. Their main goals are to continue as active volunteers for the community through the Reef Environmental Education Foundation’s Fish Survey Project, and as volunteer marine naturalists in the Kānaka Mālama Kai program. They strive to share their knowledge with visitors in order to reduce negative impacts to Hawai'i’s reefs. In addition, they have taken on a leadership role within these programs and are helping to enlist and train others to participate.

OCEAN AWARENESS TRAINING (MAUI)
The objective of the Ocean Awareness Training is to provide training for Maui community members, especially those who regularly interact with visitors, such as marine tour operators, hotel concierges, and volunteer marine naturalists.  The free certification series, offered by a partnership of over 10 organizations, empowers participants by educating them with interpretive tools, cutting edge research and naturalist techniques to help them effectively educate visitors about Hawai'i’s unique natural and cultural marine resources.  After completing all sessions, participants receive a CORAL (Care of our Culture, Ocean, Reefs and Animal Life) Card that certifies the completion of 15 hours of Ocean Awareness Training.

UNCLE DAMIEN KENISON
Uncle Damien Kenison provides important opportunities for youth to learn and actively participate in the management of the marine resources of Ho'okena.  Through after-school and summer fun programs, he involves youth in Makai Watch activities such as human use monitoring, biological monitoring, and outreach to visitors.  Uncle Damien educates students and community members about traditional knowledge related to caring for marine resources and traditional fishing methods with canoes.  He has succeeded in getting students sorely needed science and math credits for their biological monitoring and traditional knowledge projects.

NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

ALYSSA MILLER - MALAMA MAUNALUA 
As Coordinator of Mālama Maunalua, Alyssa Miller has been active in linking diverse community groups and federal, state and county agencies to restore the reef in Maunalua Bay.  The Mālama Maunalua Mission is to conserve and restore a healthy and productive Maunalua Bay through community kuleana.  Alyssa has lead innumerable community meetings, lecture series at Hanauma Bay, invasive algae cleanups, water quality workshops, and fish workshops. Her positive leadership has helped the community’s diverse groups to work together toward the restoration of the bay. 

LIZ FOOTE - PROJECT S.E.A-LINK, MAUI
As co-founder and Executive Director of Project S.E.A-LINK, Liz Foote has encouraged the Maui community to become actively involved in ocean conservation while promoting science education and protection for marine resources.  Liz played a key role in bringing the Reef Environmental Education Program (REEF) to Hawaii in 1999 and has been a leader in conducting the Great Annual Fish Count.   Liz has also developed the Kānaka Mālama Kai program, which is a volunteer roving marine naturalist program that preserves and protects Maui’s reefs through education of visitors and residents.  

REEFCHECK HAWAI'I
The principle goal of Reef Check is to provide a synopsis of the health of coral reefs worldwide by conducting coral reef surveys using trained volunteers and validation by coral reef scientists.  The data collected are entered into a central database maintained by the Reef Check Foundation.  The first Reef Check survey was conducted on Kaua'i in 1997.  Reef Check Hawai'i was established in 2000 and formally incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in 2006.  Reef Check Hawai'i has provided training to some 600 volunteers throughout the Hawaiian Islands in coral reef assessment and monitoring using the standardized protocols established by the Reef Check Foundation and tailored to the Hawaiian Islands.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

DR. JACK RANDALL
Dr. Jack Randall has had a long and distinguished career as an ichthyologist and is considered the world’s leading authority on the systematic study of coral reef fishes.  He currently serves as the Senior Ichthyologist of the Bishop Museum and is also a member of the graduate faculty in Zoology at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa.  He has authored 688 publications in the marine zoology field including guidebooks on the fishes of the Caribbean Sea, Red Sea, Oman, Maldive Islands, Great Barrier Reef, and the islands of the South Pacific.  He has made cataloging, describing and teaching about coral reef fishes his life’s work.  Over the years, Dr. Randall has been an outspoken advocate for the establishment of marine protected areas to conserve fish stocks and populations.  He has also made it his life’s work to ensure that coral reef fish are known and appreciated by researchers and the general public around the world.

DR. RICHARD GRIGG
Dr. Richard Grigg’s goals regarding the conservation of coral reefs include providing accurate information about their ecological status in terms of both natural and man-induced changes that are on-going in the world with particular emphasis on the Hawaiian archipelago. He does this by teaching several courses in coral reef ecology at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, publishing papers in scientific journals reporting the results of his research on shallow water and deep sea corals, informing the media of the results of these studies, giving public lectures on these subjects, serving on various government committees and panels (such as the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council), giving lectures at coral reef symposia and training students to carry on various aspects of his work.

DR. SHERWOOD MAYNARD
Dr. Sherwood Maynard has been the Director of the Marine Option Program (MOP) at the University of Hawai'i for the past 27 years. The Marine Option Program provides a unique opportunity for students in any field of study who have an interest in the ocean to learn by taking classes and participating in field activities.  As the director of MOP, he has influenced the lives of countless students who have gone on to work in coral reef conservation, helping to increase Hawai'i’s capacity to better manage and preserve marine resources.  Sherwood is supportive and encouraging to students and strives to find interesting internships and jobs opportunities for MOP Program participants. Hawai'i’s ability to understand, manage and preserve coral reefs would not be the same without the MOP program and Dr. Maynard’s leadership.