Earth Night

Maui Ocean Center will start Earth Day celebrations early with a new “Earth Night” educational event from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, April 20. This family-friendly evening will feature face painting, live music and ocean-themed activities led by marine naturalists.

Diver presentations inside the aquarium’s Open Ocean exhibit will take place at 7 and 8 p.m., and there will be special showings in the Sphere Theater. Along with hosting a coral feeding station, Maui Ocean Center marine naturalists will lead keiki activities including a fossilized shark tooth dig and sustainable fishing activity.

Since 1970, Earth Day has been celebrated each year on April 22 to advocate for environmental awareness and protection. “We’re so excited to get a head start on this year’s celebration with our ‘Earth Night’ event,” said Sara Peyton, the aquarium’s head naturalist. “We’ve planned a ton of activities not available during our normal hours, so it’s going to be so much fun.”

Educational partners planning to participate during “Earth Night” include:

• Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute
• Whale Trust
• NOAA’s Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary
• Maui Nui Marine Resource Council
• Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation’s Stormwater Maui
• Marine Mammal Center
• Pacific Whale Foundation
• Kula Community Watershed Alliance
• Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project
• Mauna Kahālāwai Watershed Partnership

Additionally, children’s book author Ali Miller will read (and sign) her book about coral bleaching, “How Cara Lost Her Color,” and Hex Press Maui will lead an art activity.

Admission is $25 per adult and $10 for children ages 4-12 (annual members are free). Tickets can be purchased at mauioceancenter.com.

Gourmet food and drinks will be available for purchase, with menu items including prime rib, garlic butter shrimp, grilled veggie sandwich and more. For dessert, pick up some freshly made fudge at Maui Ocean Treasures gift store, where sustainable and eco-friendly products will be discounted for the evening.