{"id":240947,"date":"2026-09-21T10:49:57","date_gmt":"2026-09-21T20:49:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=240947"},"modified":"2026-09-21T10:49:57","modified_gmt":"2026-09-21T20:49:57","slug":"adopt-a-polyp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2026\/09\/21\/adopt-a-polyp\/","title":{"rendered":"State, city leaders celebrate Waikīkī Aquarium\u2019s coral adoption initiative"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

\"people<\/p>\n

The Friends of Waikīkī<\/span> Aquarium\u2019s Adopt-a-Polyp campaign<\/a> was recognized by Hawaiʻi<\/span> Gov. Josh Green with a special message and by Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi with a proclamation marking August 13 as Waikīkī<\/span> Aquarium\u2019s Adopt-a-Polyp Day.<\/p>\n

Learn more about the campaign and adopt your own coral polyp<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“Through the Adopt-a-Polyp campaign, residents and visitors deepen their appreciation for Hawaiʻi<\/span>\u2019s coral reefs while actively engaging in the vital role our community plays in helping protect these extraordinary marine ecosystems,” Blangiardi stated in his proclamation.<\/p>\n

“The Waikīkī<\/span> Aquarium is grateful to the Friends of Waikīkī<\/span> Aquarium, and we\u2019re deeply honored by both the Mayor\u2019s proclamation and the Governor\u2019s recognition of our long-standing efforts to conserve Hawaiʻi\u2019s<\/span> corals and educate our visitors about these critically important organisms,” said Judy Lemus, interim director of the Waikīkī<\/span> Aquarium.<\/p>\n

Supporting conservation and community education<\/h2>\n

Supporters of the Adopt-a-Polyp program symbolically adopt a coral polyp, colony, reef or ecosystem and contribute to the planned restoration of the Edge of the Reef exhibit, as well as support the aquarium\u2019s ongoing coral propagation and education programs. One of the Waikīkī<\/span> Aquarium\u2019s most beloved exhibits, the Edge of the Reef advances coral conservation, research and educational programs.<\/p>\n

Since opening in 1986, the Aquarium\u2019s Edge of the Reef exhibit has given visitors an up-close look at Hawaiʻi\u2019s<\/span> native reef-building corals. As Hawaiʻi\u2019s<\/span> first outdoor exhibit featuring species such as rice, mound and cauliflower corals, it has helped generations of residents and visitors better understand the important role healthy reefs play in our islands.<\/p>\n

“Through the dedicated work of the Aquarium\u2019s Coral Team, living corals are being propagated and cared for as the exhibit is reimagined,” Green stated. “The Adopt-a-Polyp Campaign provides individuals, families and organizations with a unique opportunity to become part of this effort.”<\/p>\n

“We\u2019re committed to helping conserve and protect all of Hawaiʻi\u2019s<\/span> marine life, but corals play an especially important role for other animals and humans alike—when we protect corals, they help protect us,” Lemus said. “Working together with the community through this symbolic adoption program will not only support the new Edge of the Reef exhibit, it will help us maintain our coral conservation efforts for many years to come.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Friends of Waikīkī<\/span> Aquarium\u2019s Adopt-a-Polyp campaign was recognized by Hawaiʻi<\/span> Gov. Josh Green and Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":240963,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[109,9,302],"class_list":["post-240947","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","tag-coral-reefs","tag-uh-manoa","tag-waikiki-aquarium","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t