Association of Zoos and Aquariums

Waikiki Aquarium Receives Seventh Annual M.A.C.E. Award

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

COLUMBUS, OH 11 September 2003 -- The American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) and The Curtis And Edith Munson Foundation today honored the Waikiki Aquarium, Honolulu, Hawai'i with the seventh annual Munson Aquatic Conservation Exhibitry (M.A.C.E.) Award for South Pacific Marine Communities exhibit. Aquarium officials accepted the award at a special presentation during AZA's 79th Annual Conference meeting here this week.

The M.A.C.E. Awards recognize excellence in aquatic exhibits that incorporate conservation education into the design and presentation. The Awards are given annually in the form of a grant to the winning institution's education department. The Waikiki Aquarium also won a M.A.C.E award in 1999, for the Corals Are Alive! exhibit.

In June 2002, the Waikļkļ Aquarium completed one of the most complex projects it has undertaken in the past decade. South Pacific Marine Communities focuses on conservation of critical habitats, and features more than 140 species from the shorelines and coral reefs of the South and Western Pacific.

Sponsored by gifts from the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, Friends of the Waikļkļ Aquarium, and individual contributors, South Pacific Marine Communities highlights the variety of reef fish, living corals, and invertebrates from diverse South Pacific habitats. Among the fascinating sea creatures featured in the new exhibits: archerfish that spit water to catch bugs; carpet sea anemones a yard wide; sea jellies so clear you can see what they've been eating; a 25-year-old giant clam -- the oldest living in any aquarium; and a unique collection of stunning corals raised by Waikļkļ Aquarium scientists. Visitors can also experience the Barrier Reef by 'diving in' to a new, interactive 'Be a Reef Researcher' touch screen display.

The Curtis And Edith Munson Foundation has been active in marine conservation for over 15 years. The Board of Directors established the M.A.C.E. Awards to recognize the educational contribution being made by the nation's zoos and aquariums through their exhibits which reach millions of visitors a day.

Editor's Note: For more information contact 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.