HAWAIIAN MONK SEAL “KAIMANA” TO GO UP FOR “ADOPTION”
Benefit to Support Marine Mammal Response and rescue in Hawai’i
For weeks, thousands flocked to Kaimana beach to get a glimpse of the Hawaiian monk seal “Rocky” and her new pup, “Kaimana.” The new pup, the first born in Waikīkī in decades, captured the hearts of millions across Hawai‘i and the world. Now, some lucky individual will have the opportunity to “adopt” the pup at an upcoming fundraiser for marine mammal conservation.
Kaimana and three other monk seal pups born this year will be up for “adoption” at the event. The “adoption” includes a large individual framed photo of the pup, a certificate of “adoption,” and an opportunity to visit your “adopted” pup with a monk seal volunteer team (conditions apply).
All of this and more will be part of an event Dolphin Quest Oahu and The Kahala Hotel & Resort are hosting to raise funds for Hawai’i Marine Animal Response and their extraordinary network of volunteers who help to preserve Hawaii’s protected marine species. The event takes place on Friday, October 20, 2017 at The Kahala Hotel & Resort (5000 Kahala Ave, Honolulu, HI) from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
The event will feature live Hawaiian music from five-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winners Waipuna, delectable food and drinks from The Kahala Hotel & Resort, and a silent auction featuring local fashion and art.
Hawaiʻi Marine Animal Response (HMAR) is Hawaii’s largest non-profit marine species conservation and response organization. HMAR covers approximately 300 miles of coastline on the islands of Oʻahu and Molokaʻi with a support staff of volunteers, interns and employees. Members of this staff are deployed to the field in response to sightings and to perform surveys, outreach activity, and interventions nearly 9 times per day, on average. Their past annual activity includes over 2,400 protected marine species sightings, over 2,700 occasions of team members engaged in shoreline responses and surveys, and over 50 Hawaiian monk seal and sea turtle related escalations or emergency responses.
Proceeds from the event will go to much needed supplies and equipment for the organization. “We are a small organization with some mighty big responsibilities on our hands, but we have a team of passionate volunteers and staff who dedicate thousands of hours of their time caring for the animals they love. This event is both an opportunity to thank them and to raise money for our nonprofit,” explains Jon Gelman, founder of HMAR.
Additional Details
E Ho‘onui i ke Aloha no ke Kai Ola (To increase our aloha for the living sea) is a benefit for Hawai‘i Marine Animal Response (HMAR) and their network of staff and volunteers who help to preserve Hawaii’s protected marine species every day. This public event will be held at The Kahala Hotel & Resort, and it is sponsored by Dolphin Quest Oahu.
The anticipated high point of the benefit will be the auction, which will feature art, photos, and crafts from throughout Hawai‘i. Also up for auction will be the symbolic “adoption” of each of the four Hawaiian monk seal pups born on Oahu this year, including Wailea, the monk seal born off Ka‘ōhao (Lanikai) and Kaimana, the now-famed pup born in Waikīkī. The symbolic “Adoption” will include:
- A large framed photo of the seal
- A certificate of adoption
- A unique opportunity to visit the seal with the volunteer network (conditions apply)
HMAR also conducts public outreach and education for schools, the public and Hawai’i organizations. Earlier this year, Dolphin Quest was recognized by HMAR as a Hawaii Marine Animal Steward in partnership with Hawai’i Tourism Authority.
Dolphin Quest provides ongoing support and hands-on training for Hawai’i’s stranding network volunteers. In May of this year, Dolphin Quest hosted veterinarians from multiple Hawaiian islands providing valuable experience with healthy dolphins to aid their wild stranding response efforts.
Tickets to the event are available for purchase online for $125 per person as well as premium sponsorship packages for $1,000. Availability is limited and the organizers are urging the public to secure tickets as soon as possible to attend this evening of music, food, festivities and marine animal conservation.
Tickets include a gift, heavy gourmet pūpū, and signature non-alcoholic drinks. $1,000 Sponsorships include five tickets to the event and promotion of a business or organization in the program and leading up to the event.
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Dolphin Quest is an international organization known for its creative approach to education, commitment to ocean wildlife study and exemplary animal health care. The innovative encounter programs featured at Dolphin Quest promote a spirit of connection to the marvels of the oceans and inspire people to care about dolphins and their conservation in the wild.
Dolphin Quest has contributed over $3.5 million dollars in funding, resources and field support to vital marine mammal conservation, education and scientific studies around the globe. Dolphin Quest’s research support has resulted in over 120 published scientific studies.
Hawaii Marine Animal Response (HMAR) is the field operations arm of Hawaii Marine Mammal Alliance and is Hawaii’s largest marine species response organization. They cover 300 miles of coastline with their team of over 100 volunteers, interns and staff. They are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and stewardship of Hawaii’s protected marine species. They are supported by donations as well as corporate and government grants. Under a partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), HMAR provides species preservation and recovery support in critically important way and is NOAA’s designated first responders for Hawaiian monk seals and sea turtles.