Association of Zoos and Aquariums

Waikiki Aquarium Honored With Top National Award

CONTACT: Jane Ballentine, (301)562-0777 x252

COLUMBUS, OH 11 September 2003 -- The American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) today honored the Waikiki Aquarium, Honolulu, Hawai'i, with the Edward H. Bean Award for the Long-term Tropical Pacific Coral Propagation Program. Aquarium officials accepted the award at the AZA's 79th Annual Conference, meeting here this week.

In 1978, Dr. Bruce Carlson at the Waikiki Aquarium, University of Hawaii, established the first permanent exhibition of live tropical Pacific corals in a North American public aquarium. Waikiki Aquarium staff has pioneered new methods for maintenance, propagation, and shipment of corals. Currently the Waikiki Aquarium's collections include 18 species of soft coral, four corallimorpharians, and 117 species of stony coral. Over 2600 pieces of aquarium propagated tropical Pacific corals have been distributed to researchers and AZA institutions since 1991.

Each year, AZA presents the Bean Award in recognition of efforts by its member institutions in the long-term captive management and husbandry of various animal species. The Bean Award was established in 1956, honoring Edward H. Bean, the first director of the Brookfield Zoo, Chicago, Illinois.

Note: For more information contact Dr. Cindy Hunter at 808-440-9005.

The American Zoo and Aquarium Association was founded in 1924 and currently represents 213 accredited zoos and aquariums in North America. AZA's mission is to support membership excellence in conservation, education, science and recreation.