Learn & Explore/Education & Outreach/Education Resources
Education Resources
DAR provides school presentations, hands-on activities, posters, and videos that educate students about Hawaiʻi’s aquatic environments and encourage responsible stewardship.
Aquatic Education
DAR Education specialists are available to assist or lead teacher trainings, classroom presentations, hands-on field experiences, and community workshops that highlight fisheries management and conservation. Teachers can obtain instructional materials, including posters, and identification cards, at no cost from division offices.
Posters and Reference Materials
Click on the thumbnail images below to download letter-size pdf versions of the posters (335-700 KB), Tidepool and Shallow Reef field identification guide (1 MB), or Native Stream Animals fact sheet (4.6 MB).
Hand Puppets
Make a finger puppet or mask, or print out some protected species postcards. Just click on the image to get started.
Book
“Why is Hawaii’s Ocean Important?” is an interactive educational workbook designed for children (keiki) and educators produced by the Division of Aquatic Resources. It uses a blend of art, puzzles, and simple science to foster a sense of “kuleana” (responsibility) toward marine ecosystems.
Please download a free copy of ” Why is Hawai‘i’s Ocean Important? A Keiki Activity Book” (25 pages, pdf, 2.8 MB).
Videos for Teachers
We’ve gone back into our archives and pulled out three videos from the 1990’s that we hope teachers will find useful, as their content is timeless.
Hawaiian Waters: House of the Shark provides information on shark biology, safety, and cultural significance.
Hawaiian Waters: The Mauka-Makai Lifeline covers stream ecosystems and native stream species.
Nick and Miki’s Semi-Incredible Fishing Adventure features the late Mike Sakamoto teaching a couple of youngsters the basics of shoreline and boat fishing.
Education Staff
If you would like to speak with an Education Specialist, please contact the appropriate Division district office at the information provided below.
| Island | Education Staff | District Office | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide |
Adam Wong Education Specialist |
130 Mahalani Street Wailuku, HI 96793 |
(808) 243-5883
[email protected]
|
| Kauaʻi |
Mariah Opalek Education Specialist |
3060 'Eiwa Street, Room 306 Līhu'e, HI 96766-1875 |
(808) 274-3344
[email protected]
|
| Oʻahu |
Charles Lee Education Specialist |
1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 330 Honolulu, HI 96813-3088 |
(808) 953-8719
[email protected]
|
| Maui County |
Adam Wong Education Specialist |
130 Mahalani Street Wailuku, HI 96793 |
(808) 243-5883
[email protected]
|
|
Big Island West Hawaiʻi |
John Kahiapo Education Specialist |
74-380B Kealakehe Parkway Kailua-Kona, HI 96740-2721 |
(808) 961-9530
[email protected]
|
|
Haliʻa Locke-Nascimento Outreach & Education Facilitator |
Same address above |
(808) 327-6226
[email protected]
|
|
| East Hawaiʻi |
John Kahiapo Education Specialist |
75 Aupuni Street, Room 204 Hilo, HI 96720-4245 |
(808) 961-9530
[email protected]
|
|
Hoʻomaikaʻiikahaku H. Kanui Outreach & Education Facilitator |
Same address above |
(808) 933-3447
[email protected]
|
Līhu'e, HI 96766-1875
Honolulu, HI 96813-3088
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740-2721
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740-2721
The Division of Aquatic Resources’ Education Program is supported by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Sport Fish Restoration Program, which provides funding to states for a large number of aquatic resource education activities.
Fishing Education
The Fishing Education program is designed to spark interest in and appreciation for Hawaiʻi’s freshwater and nearshore marine environments by introducing keiki and adults to fishing. Emphasis is placed on pono fishing practices to foster responsible attitudes and a strong sense of stewardship for our aquatic resources. Topics include fishing gear and methods, fish biology and habitat, fishing safety, conservation, and fisheries management.
Book
The “Keiki Angler” is an educational handbook published by the Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR). Designed primarily for children (“keiki”) and beginning fishers, it serves as a comprehensive “how-to” guide for fishing in Hawai’i’s unique freshwater and saltwater environments.
Please download a free copy of “The Keiki Angler” (25 pages, pdf, 1.9 MB)
How We Teach
DAR Education Specialists work with schools, scouts, and community groups.
They provide:
- Instructional materials
- Fishing gear
- Technical expertise
Resources available:
- The Keiki Angler
- Fishing in Hawai‘i: A Student Manual
I Fish Pono Card
Education Staff
If you would like to speak with an Education Specialist, please contact the appropriate Division district office at the information provided below.
| Island | Education Staff | District Office | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide |
Adam Wong Education Specialist |
130 Mahalani Street Wailuku, HI 96793 |
(808) 243-5883
[email protected]
|
| Kauaʻi |
Mariah Opalek Education Specialist |
3060 'Eiwa Street, Room 306 Līhu'e, HI 96766-1875 |
(808) 274-3344
[email protected]
|
| Oʻahu |
Charles Lee Education Specialist |
1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 330 Honolulu, HI 96813-3088 |
(808) 953-8719
[email protected]
|
| Maui County |
Adam Wong Education Specialist |
130 Mahalani Street Wailuku, HI 96793 |
(808) 243-5883
[email protected]
|
|
Big Island West Hawaiʻi |
John Kahiapo Education Specialist |
74-380B Kealakehe Parkway Kailua-Kona, HI 96740-2721 |
(808) 961-9530
[email protected]
|
|
Haliʻa Locke-Nascimento Outreach & Education Facilitator |
Same address above |
(808) 327-6226
[email protected]
|
|
| East Hawaiʻi |
John Kahiapo Education Specialist |
75 Aupuni Street, Room 204 Hilo, HI 96720-4245 |
(808) 961-9530
[email protected]
|
|
Hoʻomaikaʻiikahaku H. Kanui Outreach & Education Facilitator |
Same address above |
(808) 933-3447
[email protected]
|
Līhu'e, HI 96766-1875
Honolulu, HI 96813-3088
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740-2721
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740-2721
The Division of Aquatic Resources’ Education Program is supported by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Sport Fish Restoration Program, which provides funding to states for a large number of aquatic resource education activities.
Community Outreach/Events
Hosting a community event, fishing tournament, or fair? We can participate with interactive displays, educational materials, and giveaways.
Education Staff
If you would like to speak with an Education Specialist, please contact the appropriate Division district office at the information provided below.
| Island | Education Staff | District Office | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide |
Adam Wong Education Specialist |
130 Mahalani Street Wailuku, HI 96793 |
(808) 243-5883
[email protected]
|
| Kauaʻi |
Mariah Opalek Education Specialist |
3060 'Eiwa Street, Room 306 Līhu'e, HI 96766-1875 |
(808) 274-3344
[email protected]
|
| Oʻahu |
Charles Lee Education Specialist |
1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 330 Honolulu, HI 96813-3088 |
(808) 953-8719
[email protected]
|
| Maui County |
Adam Wong Education Specialist |
130 Mahalani Street Wailuku, HI 96793 |
(808) 243-5883
[email protected]
|
|
Big Island West Hawaiʻi |
John Kahiapo Education Specialist |
74-380B Kealakehe Parkway Kailua-Kona, HI 96740-2721 |
(808) 961-9530
[email protected]
|
|
Haliʻa Locke-Nascimento Outreach & Education Facilitator |
Same address above |
(808) 327-6226
[email protected]
|
|
| East Hawaiʻi |
John Kahiapo Education Specialist |
75 Aupuni Street, Room 204 Hilo, HI 96720-4245 |
(808) 961-9530
[email protected]
|
|
Hoʻomaikaʻiikahaku H. Kanui Outreach & Education Facilitator |
Same address above |
(808) 933-3447
[email protected]
|
Līhu'e, HI 96766-1875
Honolulu, HI 96813-3088
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740-2721
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740-2721
The Division of Aquatic Resources’ Education Program is supported by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Sport Fish Restoration Program, which provides funding to states for a large number of aquatic resource education activities.
Posters
Want to know the difference from an opakapaka and onaga? Or to compare a Blacktip Reef Shark to a Tiger Shark? Our DAR educational marine posters can help and are available for pickup from your local DAR office! From bottomfish to invertebrates, these posters provide useful information while highlighting the diversity of our Hawaiian waters.
Click on the thumbnail images below to download letter-size pdf versions of the posters (335-700 KB), Tidepool and Shallow Reef field identification guide (1 MB), or Native Stream Animals fact sheet (4.6 MB).
Full sized posters are available for teachers free of charge for educational purposes, or are available to the public at a nominal fee ($5) for pickup at DAR Offices only. Sorry we cannot honor mail order requests.
Education Staff
If you would like to speak with an Education Specialist, please contact the appropriate Division district office at the information provided below.
| Island | Education Staff | District Office | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide |
Adam Wong Education Specialist |
130 Mahalani Street Wailuku, HI 96793 |
(808) 243-5883
[email protected]
|
| Kauaʻi |
Mariah Opalek Education Specialist |
3060 'Eiwa Street, Room 306 Līhu'e, HI 96766-1875 |
(808) 274-3344
[email protected]
|
| Oʻahu |
Charles Lee Education Specialist |
1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 330 Honolulu, HI 96813-3088 |
(808) 953-8719
[email protected]
|
| Maui County |
Adam Wong Education Specialist |
130 Mahalani Street Wailuku, HI 96793 |
(808) 243-5883
[email protected]
|
|
Big Island West Hawaiʻi |
John Kahiapo Education Specialist |
74-380B Kealakehe Parkway Kailua-Kona, HI 96740-2721 |
(808) 961-9530
[email protected]
|
|
Haliʻa Locke-Nascimento Outreach & Education Facilitator |
Same address above |
(808) 327-6226
[email protected]
|
|
| East Hawaiʻi |
John Kahiapo Education Specialist |
75 Aupuni Street, Room 204 Hilo, HI 96720-4245 |
(808) 961-9530
[email protected]
|
|
Hoʻomaikaʻiikahaku H. Kanui Outreach & Education Facilitator |
Same address above |
(808) 933-3447
[email protected]
|
Līhu'e, HI 96766-1875
Honolulu, HI 96813-3088
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740-2721
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740-2721
The Division of Aquatic Resources’ Education Program is supported by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Sport Fish Restoration Program, which provides funding to states for a large number of aquatic resource education activities.