Stormwater Maui’s educational models help students learn about pollution prevention and ocean protection.

MAALAEA — Stormwater Maui will be offering educational activities for children at Maui Ocean Center on March 18 and July 15, 2022, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A program of the state Department of Transportation’s Highways Division – Maui District (HWY-M), Stormwater Maui is dedicated to raising awareness about protecting Maui’s environment by preventing common pollutants — such as trash, pet waste, and lawn and garden products — from contaminating the island’s stormwater and in turn, the ocean and other water bodies.

At Maui Ocean Center, Stormwater Maui representatives will provide an opportunity for keiki to get hands-on with educational models of a coastal watershed and the storm drain system.

The models are designed to mimic rainfall and stormwater flow and help students visualize how pollutants can flow from various sources on land and out to the ocean.

Children can also learn to prevent pollution generated by our everyday actions and win fun prizes for participating.

“Our stormwater models and educational activities have proven to be very popular, and we’ve gotten great feedback from families about how much they enjoyed and learned from the experience,” said Ty Fukuroku, program manager, Environmental Management, HWY-M. “We thank Maui Ocean Center for allowing us to be a part of their Ocean Aloha initiative and are pleased to have them as a community partner.”

For more information about Stormwater Maui, visit www.stormwatermaui.com.

Maui Ocean Center’s Ocean Aloha is an island-based marine conservation program focused on the importance of marine conservation for future generations.

The program includes various educational and entertaining activities, including Hawaiian cultural exhibits and displays, activities designed for elementary school-age children, and opportunities to engage with knowledgeable marine naturalists.

For more information about the Ocean Aloha program, visit mauioceancenter.com/ocean-aloha.

Stormwater Maui will be presenting its keiki activities at Maui Ocean Center’s Discovery Plaza, and the program is complimentary with general admission tickets to Maui Ocean Center. All children must be accompanied by an adult.