Ocean Project Maui, LLC

#COLORSOFTHEOCEAN_35 This is a Crown-of-thorns starfish (Ancanthaster planci). They are part of the phylum Echinodermata. It is a large invertebrate with venomous spines. The crown-of-thorns starfish is one of the largest starfish in the world. This species is native to Hawaii and can be found on many of our reefs. They are red or green in coloration, can grow up to 3 feet in diameter, and have up to 19 arms. In some locations, such as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, they are considered invasive and can be detrimental to the reefs. They voraciously eat the coral polyps and leave dead coral skeleton and destruction behind them. This can happen when they have an outbreak of their population. Here in Hawaii, they will feed on live corals as well. They especially like cauliflower, rice, and lace corals. The crown-of-thorns will climb the coral and secrete enzymes to digest and adsorb the nutrients of the coral polyps. However, when this species is kept in check by it’s predators, such as the triton’s trumpet snail, the stripped belly puffer-fish, and the harlequin shrimp, they can actually be beneficial to our reefs. It is believed that by feeding on the faster growing corals as mentioned above, crown-of-thorns starfish can actually help to maintain coral diversity by allowing the slower growing corals such as lobe and finger to have time and space to grow. They can also make the reef more resilient to such disturbances. Please do not touch one of these. They have venomous spines that can cause pain, nausea, infections, and swelling in your extremities if they are touched or poked. The image above was taken during a Private Ocean Project Maui Snorkel Tour. This colorful image was taken off a West Maui Beach by the dedicated staff of Ocean Project Maui. They offer custom, private snorkel tours around the island of Maui, Hawaii. Each #COLORSOFTHEOCEAN image you see in our monthly blog, was captured during a private guided snorkel tour. These amazing images, as well as images above and below the water of the clients/supporters are included in every tour at no additional cost. Be sure to visit our Blog each and every month for the latest #COLORSOFTHEOCEAN post. Are you ready to experience colorful marine life off the coast of Maui, Hawaii? Contact Ocean Project Maui today to build your very own custom Ocean Project Maui snorkel tour. (808) 280-0873 https://lnkd.in/gQ4YwMuN #COLORSOFTHEOCEAN

#COLORSOFTHEOCEAN_34 This is a type of game fish known as a Crocodile needlefish. It is from the family Belonidae and is a houndfish (Tylosurus croodilus). It is known in Hawaii as ʻaha. These fish can grow up to 5 feet in length and get to be about 10 pounds. They are often mistaken for barracudas. Some think that these fish can be greater risks than sharks. That is because if the fish becomes alarmed especially at night, they can turn and act like a javelin piercing whoever/whatever may have startled them, with their beaks. These fish have actually been documented killing at least 2 people. The fish has a sharp beak, an elongated body, and short pectoral/side fins. The fish is greener or blue on the top of their bodies with a lighter/white shade underneath. This helps the fish to counter-shade. Needlefish reside at the surface of the water. Counter-shading is an important defense mechanism. Needlefish are carnivores. They do have very sharp teeth. They love to eat anchovies , sardines, or other small fish. They also like to dine on crustaceans as well as mollusks. Although not common on the reef, you can see them there from time to time. Sometimes they are missed, because when you snorkel you are usually looking down. You have to shift your eyes upward towards the surface of the water to find needlefish. The image above was taken during a Private Ocean Project Maui Snorkel Tour. This colorful image was taken off a West Maui Beach by the dedicated staff of Ocean Project Maui. They offer custom, private snorkel tours around the island of Maui, Hawaii. Each #COLORSOFTHEOCEAN image you see in our monthly blog, was captured during a private guided snorkel tour. These amazing images, as well as images above and below the water of the clients/supporters are included in every tour at no additional cost. Be sure to visit our Blog each and every month for the latest #COLORSOFTHEOCEAN post. Are you ready to experience colorful marine life off the coast of Maui, Hawaii? Contact Ocean Project Maui today to build your very own custom Ocean Project Maui snorkel tour. (808) 280-0873 https://lnkd.in/gQ4YwMuN #COLORSOFTHEOCEAN

Ocean Project Maui Wins Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award 2024 Ocean Project Maui is Recognized as a Traveler-Favorite MAUI SNORKEL TOUR Maui, Hawaii - June 24th 2024 – I am pleased to announce today that Ocean Project Maui has once again been recognized in Tripadivsor’s® Travelers’ Choice® Awards for 2024.  This is the fourth year in a row that we were recognized by this amazing Accolade (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024). This award honors businesses that consistently earn great reviews, placing them among the top 10% of listings around the world on Tripadvisor. As the world’s largest travel guidance platform, Tripadvisor has unparalleled authority with travelers and diners. This award is based on genuine feedback from anyone in the community who has visited and left an authentic, first-hand review on Tripadvisor over a 12-month period, making it a valuable and trustworthy designation of great Maui Snorkel Tours. “We are honored to be included among travelers’ favorite Maui Snorkel Tours this year.” I wanted to take the time to recognize what made this amazing Accolade possible: Thanks to each and every family, supporter/client who chose Ocean Project Maui for there Maui snorkel tour. We understand that you have choices, and are honored to have shared a small piece of time during your amazing Maui Vacation. Thanks to all the outreach opportunities from schools, churches, colleges, internships, and much more. Having such amazing support from our local community as well as groups/organizations around the world means the world to me. Thanks to the Ocean Project Maui team. It is your cumulative passion and commitment that continuously drives Ocean Project Maui towards excellence. Thanks to TripAdvisor for giving everyone a platform to share there experiences. Now a quick word directly from TripAdvisor: “Congratulations to Ocean Project Maui on its recognition in Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards for 2024,” said John Boris, Chief Growth Officer at Tripadvisor. “Travelers’ Choice honors businesses that consistently demonstrate a commitment to hospitality excellence. This means you have made such a memorable impact on your visitors that many of them took the time to go online and leave a great review about their experience. People rely on Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice seal to help them navigate the myriad of things to see, eat and do across the globe. We hope this recognition continues to drive business to you in 2024 and beyond.” Check out all the reviews and discover more about Ocean Project Maui here: https://lnkd.in/gB3PkXBu

#COLORSOFTHEOCEAN_32 This is Dendrochirus barberi or the green lionfish. In Hawaiian, it is known as Nohupinao (dragonfly). While lionfish are a predatory fish, invasive, and a nuisance in most places in the world, the Hawaiian green lionfish are endemic and native in Hawaii and the eastern central Pacific. They are rarely seen as the aquarium trade has lead to the scarcity of this species. However, since 2020 all aquarium collections were banned in Hawaii without an environmental review. This fish is a type of marine ray-finned fish that belongs to the family Scorpaenidae. This includes scorpionfish and lionfish. This species will grow to about 6.5 inches and have long spines. They are greenish-brown with red eyes and dramatic patterns. Their side fins, or pectoral fins, are broad and will open like a fan. There are 13 spines and 9 soft rays in it’s dorsal fin. In the anal fin, there are 3 spines and 5 soft rays. These fish hide during the day and feed at night. Feasting on crustaceans, small fish, and shrimp. If they are disturbed, they will raise their feathery fins in defense to warn fish or people off. However, if they are cornered they are known to charge at a quick speed. They have no natural predators. They are not poisonous but the spines are venomous. The image above was taken during a Private Ocean Project Maui Snorkel Tour. This colorful image was taken off a West Maui Beach by the dedicated staff of Ocean Project Maui. They offer custom, private snorkel tours around the island of Maui, Hawaii. Each #COLORSOFTHEOCEAN image you see in our monthly blog, was captured during a private guided snorkel tour. These amazing images, as well as images above and below the water of the clients/supporters are included in every tour at no additional cost. Be sure to visit our Blog each and every month for the latest #COLORSOFTHEOCEAN post. Are you ready to experience colorful marine life off the coast of Maui, Hawaii? Contact Ocean Project Maui today to build your very own custom Ocean Project Maui snorkel tour. (808) 280-0873 https://lnkd.in/gQ4YwMuN #COLORSOFTHEOCEAN

#COLORSOFTHEOCEAN_31 You are looking at the Commerson’s frogfish, Antennarius commerson, or Giant frogfish. It’s skin is partially covered with a few small wart-like spots, patches that look like scabs, and a few small false eye spots made to look holes in sponges. These fish have the ability to change their color. However, it is not fast and often takes a few weeks to complete. Juveniles will start out bright yellow then will adopt an adult coloration. Typically they are brown (light/dark), green, red, blue-gray, orange, dull yellow, purple, pink, and or black. The frogfish are not great swimmers. So they have an adaptation that allows them to actually walk with modified pectoral (side) fins. The rays in the fins have joints similar to toes. These allow the fish to grip the seabed and walk or jump along the bottom. Frogfish will suck in large amounts of water and then expel it through their gills. This gives them a sort of jet like propulsion to get around. They are great anglers. The frogfish is an ambush predator, and is often seen sitting very still like a statue before they strike. There is a dangling lure that is attached to the first ray of the dorsal fin. The fish will dangle it out in front of its mouth to lure in prey. When the prey come close, the frogfish will push its jaw outward, open it’s mouth, and create a sudden suction. The fish are not able to escape that suction and in the mouth it goes. Frogfish have an expandable belly and can eat fish that may be twice their size. Sometimes they try for larger prey and then need to cough them out. The frogfish can live to around 20 years. They will grow up to about 15 inches in length. As far as predators, frogfish do not have many. In fact, they really only need to worry about other frogfish attacking them. They do not tolerate one another well. Especially after mating, the female will eat or kill the male if he stays close. This amazing adult Frogfish specimen was photographed during a custom private snorkel tour off the coast of Maui Hawaii in 2024. #COLORSOFTHEOCEAN

#COLORSOFTHEOCEAN_30 This beautiful fish is a Peacock Grouper, Cephalopholis Argus, or more commonly known as Roi here in Hawaii. Roi is actually not the Hawaiian name but rather Tahitian, but that is how it is referred to in Hawaii. It’s scientific name Argus comes from Greek Mythology the “all-seeing” 100 eyed giant. It has a brownish body and is covered by blue iridescent spots, and larger fish usually have a few vertical bars toward the tail. These fish did not originate in Hawaii, they were introduced in the 1950s from French Polynesia. Initially brought in to be a source of food, but then became a popular game fish by the 1970s. This is because they contained Ciguatera. Ciguatera is a toxin consumed by the fish that remains in the meat, and when people eat it they may experience nausea, vomiting, and neurological symptoms. They brought in more than 2000 fish. They are an ambush predator that prefer water less than 130 feet and lots of coral coverage. The grouper is slow to grow and can live up to 25 years. They found the grouper to be an aggressive predator and feared that it was destroying our smaller native fish. It was studied and found out that near-shore fisheries were in slow decline or decades before Roi were introduced. They do prey upon juvenile Parrot fish and Surgeon fish. However, they were not solely responsible for the loss of native reef fish. Most people have still not come around to eating them in Hawaii due to Ciguatera, but their meat is prized in other places in the world. While snorkeling, they are beautiful to see if you catch a glimpse. They are fast and like to hide. They will hunt cooperatively with eels and octopuses. Here is where the fun begins, the Grouper will have an eel go into a crevice to scare out smaller fish, and if the eel does not catch it first, it falls prey to the Grouper. #COLORSOFTHEOCEAN

#COLORSOFTHEOCEAN_29 PART 2 OF 2 Once on the EDGE of extinction….. Endangered. This means that there are less than 10% of the potential population left in the wild. Difference. We need to make a difference in order to save our Honu population. Our actions will directly affect their future. We need to make sure not to alter their natural behaviors in any ways. Gentle. These turtles are gentle giants. However, do not be surprised but if they want to evade a situation, they can swim upwards of 35 miles per hour. They are herbivores and this leads us to the last letter. Essential. The turtles existence is essential to the life of the reef, and the reef is essential to the life of a turtle. They create a symbiotic relationship that helps to maintain a balance. Balance will keep coral, algae, turtles, and fish all happy and coexisting. With no turtles, algae will overgrow the coral and kill the reef…….no coral, no fish, no reef. The coral is not able to produce oxygen if it is being smothered in algae. Our Green Sea Turtles are recovering but are still endangered. We hope to share and educate everyone so that future generations will be able to view these magnificent turtles in the wild, and not just in books. #COLORSOFTHEOCEAN

#COLORSOFTHEOCEAN_29 PART 1 OF 2 Hanau ka po ia honu kua nanaka….From the darkness of time came the sea turtle with its plated back. (Kumulipo: a Hawaiian creation chant) This is a beautiful Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle gracefully swimming thru the reef. We, in Hawaii, call it a Honu. Scientists call them Chelonia mydas. They are a life form that have remained unchanged for 110 million years. They are endangered and protected in the Hawaiian waters. There are Green Sea Turtles found throughout the world, but the Honu, or Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle, exist only in the Hawaiian archipelago. They are genetically distinct from the other areas. Turtles can live to be between 60-90 years of age. They can dive up to depths of 1500 feet, and hold their breath upwards of 5 hours. It is said that they have great eyesight while under the water. However, on land or above the water they have been reported to be near-sighted. There are 7 different species of sea turtles worldwide. Honu is the most commonly seen species seen in Hawaii. They are the largest hard-shelled sea turtle in the world. They can grow 3-4 feet in length and can weigh 300 pounds or more. The shell in not green as the name suggests. The upper shell, which is called the carapace, ranges from brown to yellow-ish with some brown, green, or black streaking. The bottom shell, which is called the plastron, is light yellow or cream-ish in coloration. Their name (Green Sea Turtle) actually comes from their diet. Due to all the algae consumed as adults, their tissue, fat, and meat are in fact green! Some Hawaiian legends say that the Honu guided the Polynesians to the Hawaiian Islands. Some legends say Kauila, a giant sea turtle goddess would transform into a human girl to play with and protect the Keiki or children along the shore of Punalu’u on the Big Island. This is why they are considered by many as a form of ‘aumakua or ancestral spirit that offers guidance, protection, wisdom, and peace. They serve as link between man, land, and sea. They are often seen in early Hawaiian petroglyphs and artwork. SEE PART 2 #COLORSOFTHEOCEAN

#COLORSOFTHEOCEAN_28 Goatfish belong to the family Mullidae. They are a tropical or sub-tropical species reaching between 12-24 inches in length. There are at least 65 different species of goatfish worldwide and 10 different species that are native to the Hawaiian reefs. The one in the image is Weke ‘a’a or yellowstripe goatfish. Goatfish have two whisker like sensory barbels on their chin. The barbels are able to locate prey not only by touch but also by taste. They are used to dig, poke, and prod into the reef or sand to detect prey. When not in use, they tuck them under the sides of the bottom jaw. The goatfish enjoy eating worms, mullusks, crustaceans, small invertebrates, and even small fish. Once they locate the food, the fish will dive head first into the sand to root for it’s prey. They will inhale the prey as well as sand. They will swallow the food and expel the sand via their gill covers. Not all goatfish have the same behaviors. Some are solitary and eat during the day. Others feed at night and prefer to hang out in larger schools during the day. They are capable of changing their coloration and camouflaging quickly. It is common to see the fish camouflaged while resting but quickly change its color when becoming active. #COLORSOFTHEOCEAN

#COLORSOFTHEOCEAN_27 This photo depicts a stressed Cauliflower Coral. It’s scientific name is Pocillopora meandrina. It’s Hawaiian name is Ko’a. It is one of a few important reef building corals here in Hawaii. This coral is a surge tolerant species found in the surge/slope zone of the reef system. The color can range from that golden brown shade on the right side, to a more pink hue. This particular image is striking because half of the coral head is alive, while the other half is not. Between 2014-2017, our Cauliflower corals have been experiencing what is known as coral bleaching. This occurs due to a variety of stressors. Some of which may include higher or lower ocean temperatures, too much sunlight, extreme low tides, pollution, and or chemicals from runoff. Coral has a symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae. Zooxanthellae are algae that live in the tissue of coral and provide not only the color to the coral but are it’s primary food source, as they are able to photosynthesize and provide food to the polyps. When zooxanthellae are stressed, they will expel themselves from the tissue of the coral polyps. Therefore, leaving the coral white and colorless. That is where the term bleaching comes in. However, the coral is not dead just because it is bleached. The polyps can survive for a bit, but do need the zooxanthellae to return in order to survive long term. While alive, the corals tissue secretes a mucus to prevent tiny seaweed or turf algae from moving in so to speak. Once the polyps die, they no longer can secrete this mucus and the algae will take over and colonize the surface. This is what you are seeing in this photo on the left side. Now the problem is that the turf algae will try to crepe over and overtake the healthy coral. As long as the healthy coral stays healthy, it will push back the algae with that secreted mucus. Coral and algae are always competing on the reef. Both are necessary, in moderation, for a healthy reef system. #COLORSOFTHEOCEAN