07.12.2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:
Lincoln Jacobe: 808.237.3676
Tori Abe: 808.237.3671
Pualei Pfitzner: 808.237.6715

CORAL REEF OUTREACH NETWORK ANNOUNCES NOMINEES FOR ANNUAL HAWAII’S LIVING REEF AWARDS

HONOLULU, HI – The Coral Reef Outreach Network (CRON) has announced final nominees for its 3rd annual Hawaii’s Living Reef Awards. The annual awards program honors businesses, organizations, and community leaders who have, through their actions, demonstrated a significant commitment to protect and nurture Hawaii’s coral reef ecosystem.

“We are overjoyed by the response we’ve received during the nomination process and are happy to announce the semi-finalists who have all made significant positive strides in preserving one of Hawaii’s most precious resources – the living reef ecosystem,” said Petra MacGowan, CRON spokesperson.

The following individuals, businesses and organizations have been nominated by community members in the respective categories:

Commercial Division

• Ocean Recreation Business (businesses that specialize in diving, snorkeling, kayaking, or other ocean-related activities): Donovan Domingo of Maui Dreams Dive Co., Nancy Emerson’s Surf School, Scott Burch of Mokulua Kayak Guides, and Trilogy Excursions.
• Travel and Tourism Business (businesses that offer services to tourists, such as hotels, destination attractions, transport, etc.): Atlantis Submarines, Maui Ocean Center, and Outrigger Hotels & Resorts.
• Commercial and Retail Business (all other commercial organizations): Costco, Diamond Bakery, and Ziggy Livnat of For the Sea Productions.

Non-Commercial Division

• Government Agency (all federal, state, and local government agencies that do not specialize in education): Hawksbill Turtle Recovery Project of the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Ulua/Papio Tagging Project of Dept. Of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources, and Senator Fred Hemmings
• Educational Institutions (organizations or individuals whose primary purpose is to offer educational services): Mike & Terri Fausnaugh, the Ocean Awareness Training Certification Series, and Uncle Damien Kenison
• Non-Governmental Organizations (all non-commercial organizations or individuals representing such organizations): Alyssa Miller of Malama Maunalua, Liz Foote of Project S.E.A.- Link, and Reef Check Hawaii.

Lifetime Achievement

• A special category created to recognize an individual who has devoted his / her lifetime to coral reef conservation: Dr. Jack Randall, Dr. Richard Grigg, and Dr. Sherwood Maynard

Awardees will be announced at a special awards function on Friday, September 21st at the Honolulu Elks Lodge from 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Tickets are available for $25 per person and can be purchased by e-mailing laleen@hawaiipacificentertainment.com or by calling (808) 237-3674. For more information on Hawaii’s Living Reef Awards, visit www.hawaiireef.org.

About the Coral Reef Outreach Network
The Coral Reef Outreach Network (CRON) was created to raise general public awareness of the importance and interconnectedness of the coral reef ecosystem to Hawaii’s lifestyle and to teach and encourage positive behaviors that will protect and nurture this life-giving natural resource. CRON is a division of the Malama Kai Foundation (stewardship of the sea), a 501(c) (3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization, dedicated to ocean stewardship through community service and public education. Visit www.hawaiireef.org for more information.