‘Fall in Love with NOAA’ at Kaua‘i mall this Saturday

Kaua‘i families can celebrate Valentine’s Day early with their love of the ocean this Saturday at a free event at Kukui Grove Center in Līhu‘e.

“Fall in Love with NOAA” is organized by Kaua‘i Ocean Discovery, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s educational facility in the mall off Kaumuali‘i Highway.

“There will be tons of fun for everyone with ocean-themed make-and-take crafts, including valentines, stenciling reusable carry bags and a ‘seal-fie’ photo booth,” said Jean Souza, coordinator of Kaua‘i Ocean Discovery.

“Fall in Love with NOAA” will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the center of Kukui Grove Center.

NOAA personnel will be joined by partners in the National Weather Service, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources, the University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program and the nonprofit Surfrider Foundation – Kaua‘i Chapter.

“Some of them are flying in from Honolulu and bringing a drone model and other tools used to study Hawaiʻi’s marine wildlife,” Souza said.

Informational booths will be dedicated to topics including endangered Hawaiian monk seals, honu (sea turtle) research, and marine debris. The Coast Guard and NOAA will also present demonstrations on large whale entanglement response.

The first 50 families to visit the Sea Grant College Program’s “Community Resilience to Climate Change” booth will receive a free copy of the book “The Three ʻIo Brothers and the Rising Tide.”

Program members will discuss the Kauaʻi Climate Adaptation Plan, adaptation to sea-level rise and aquaculture research with Kauaʻi Sea Farm.

“It will be a great time for families and those who want to know more about the many programs in NOAA directly from the experts who help save whales, Hawaiian monk seals and dolphins,” Souza said. “Come join us for a special day at Kukui Grove Center.”