EARTH DAY, WEEK, MONTH, YEAR...
April 2012
 It started in 1970. Born out of outrage over a California oil spill, and an increasing activism
created by opposition to the Vietnam war, Earth Day was an idea whose time had come. A US
Senator and a veteran environmental activist were prime movers. Public events were promoted
across the US and 20 million Americans participated.
This first Earth Day is generally credited with spurring the passage of watershed (pun intended)
environmental legislation. Laws and policies regarding pollution, clean air and water, recycling
and endangered species protection were all created and nurtured by the kind of bipartisan coalition
that is no longer a feature of the US Congress. The Environmental Protection Agency was born out
of Earth Day. There was endless rhetoric to the effect that "environmentalism" was now a
mainstream American movement. Teach-ins were held around the country and countless young people
were sensitized and energized. Environmental organizations of long-standing, such as the Sierra
Club, were happy to greet a eneration of new members. Legions of new organizations, many local
and mainstream, others on the far-out fringes, were created and became a force in their communities.
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Ocean Center, The Hawaiian Aquarium. The largest tropical aquarium in the Western Hemisphere and voted Hawaii’s Top Attraction by Zagat Survey US Family Travel Guide. This state-of-the-art marine park highlights the beauty and wonder of Hawaii’s underwater world where over 60 exhibits and interactive activities will delight children and adults alike. See the nation’s largest collection of living coral while you discover colorful reef fish and mysterious reef dwelling sea creatures. Be entertained by playful green sea turtles and be fascinated with hands-on interaction at the Tide Pool. Learn about monk seals, dolphins, and whales found in Hawaiian waters in the Marine Mammal Discovery Center through interactive displays, videos and games. Become mesmerized by the mystical Sea Jelly Cylinder. Stroll through the 54-foot long acrylic tunnel inside the 750,000-gallon Open Ocean Exhibit and come eye to eye with several species of reef sharks, stingrays, and thousands of tropical reef fish. Centrally located in Ma‘alaea Harbor, Maui Ocean Center is about 20 minutes from Maui’s major resort areas. Audio guide rentals and complimentary strollers are available. Open daily, 9-5, July and August until 6pm. Call (808) 270-7000.