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Jennifer Koskey

@oceanprojectmaui

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Ocean Project Maui, LLC is a marine research & education focused organization. We have marine education projects for Kids, Kids at Heart, & Families.

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by @oceanprojectmaui

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3 years ago

Wishing everyone a beautiful day 🌺 by @oceanprojectmaui

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2 years ago

The Maui wildfire recovery effort was created by Ocean Project Maui in response to a tragedy that began on August 8th, 2023. Simply put, Maui needs help, love, prayers, and positive thoughts!!

On August 8th, 2023 Hurricane Dora passed South of the Hawaiian Islands. The high pressure to the north, and the hurricane to the South, coupled with drought conditions created a catastrophe that no one would have predicted. Gusts of wind between 60-80+mph knocked down trees and power lines. Fires started and the wind just fueled them. Maui had 3 large active fires on Maui, and several smaller ones, all which forced evacuations. One wildfire was Upcountry, one in Kihei/Wailea, and the third was in Lahaina Town. The one in Lahaina created devastation beyond belief. So many lives, homes, and businesses were lost. The historic town of Lahaina and all of it’s historic buildings were devastated. Multi-generational families are displaced. As of August 12, 2023 the Lahaina wildfire death toll is at 89 and is now the deadliest US wildfire in more than a century. Our Governor warns “it’s going to continue to rise, I’m going to brace people for that”.

Most of our snorkel projects for August and beyond have cancelled, and I anticipate more to come. With that being said, all of our employees, teaching supplies, gear, and equipment are safe and accounted for. As the current owner of Ocean Project Maui, I (Jen), my family and home are all safe and out of harms way.

Unfortunately, Laura, one of my dear friends and Ocean Project Maui employees lost her home and everything within. She has been an instrumental and critical component in Ocean Project Maui and our success for many years! Laura leaves a lasting impression on everyone and everywhere she goes.

Many Ocean Project Maui supporters, families and friends have asked how they can help. Please click the link below to view our Maui Wildfire Recovery Effort (MWRE), which includes a list of reputable donation sites for the island of Maui as a whole, or if you feel inclined please consider donating directly to Laura.
https://www.oceanprojectmaui.com/maui-wildfire-recovery-efforts by @oceanprojectmaui

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3 years ago

Beautiful sunrise of Kapalua bay this morning 🌅 taken in Kapalua Bay by @oceanprojectmaui

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Bubbles the turtle 🫧, Maui Hawai’i 📍 taken in Maui, Hawaii by @oceanprojectmaui

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Blog post 28 #colorsoftheocean 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. by @oceanprojectmaui

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3 years ago

Blog post 27 #colorsoftheocean 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. by @oceanprojectmaui

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3 years ago

Blog post 26 #colorsoftheocean This bottom sand dwelling fish is called an Oriental Flying Gurnard. Sometimes they are referred to as a Helmet Gurnard. The French word “gurnard” means to grunt. This is the sound it produces by using its swim bladder and drum muscles. Some scientists believe the noises are used to communicate with one another. In Hawaii, we call them pinao, which means dragonfly. They are in the family Dactylopteridae and in the order of Scorpaeniformes. This makes them a distant cousin to Scorpionfish. However, the Gurnard’s bear no venemous spines.

Even though their name suggests they fly, they in fact do not! These “wings” you see are actually their pectoral/side fins. When they feel threatened, the fish will spread these fins to increase their size and confuse the predator. They crawl along the sandy bottom by using modified spines located along their pelvic fins. While it crawls, the Gurnard will scratch the sand in hopes to find some small critters to eat.

The Gurnard can grow up to 16 inches. It has a dorsal fin with 7 spines and 9 soft rays, an anal fin with no spines and 6-7 soft rays, and the pectoral fins have rays with each ray having a feeler like extension on the tip. This fish is not commonly seen, but when you do get a chance to see one, they are truly unique and amazing to observe. by @oceanprojectmaui

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Blog post 25 #colorsoftheocean Poki poki is a benthic species of Box crab. It is in the family Calappidae. They are sometimes referred to as “shame-faced” crabs. That is because they have very large front claws which fold up to hide their face and mouth in a cowardly posture, thus looking “shamed-faced.” Theses claws also create the boxy looking shape of this “box” crab.

Their claws allow them to be great hunters, who can open and eat snails right out of their shells! The claws are not the same on each side. While similar in shape, the right claw has a hook and heavy crushing knobs, while the left is far more delicate and has a movable pincer that is used to pull the flesh from a crushed snail. It’s right claw acts like a can opener, with the hook entering an opening on the snail and then using the knobs to crush the edge of the shell.

They are common on sandy flats and patches on the reef. It is here that they can bury themselves in the sand quickly by pulling the legs underneath the body and folding the front claws in which allow it to hide. They blend in very well and often times all you see are the eyes protruding out above the sandy bottom. They can be 3-6 inches in width and usually feed and night. by @oceanprojectmaui

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3 years ago

Blog post 24 #colorsoftheocean This is the Sculptured slipper lobster (Parribacus antarcticus), also known as the Hawaiian slipper lobster or ula pāpapa. It is a crustacean that has an exoskeleton that will protect it like a coat of armor. The upper surface of the body is covered with short hairs and tubercles. It has two recessed eyes that are lined with purple dots. There are two sets of antennae. One pair is flattened and large on the front visible in this photo. The other set is more normal in appearance and is not visible in this photo and sits under the carapace. You may notice that there are no large claws which are common in most other lobsters.

The yellowish brown color of the lobster allows for it to blend in well with its surroundings. During the daytime, these lobsters are hiding in rock walls or crevices on the reef. During the nighttime, they will come out to eat. They are nocturnal creatures and are carnivorous. The lobster will use its jaws and limbs to crack open molluscs, such as snails, oysters, and urchins. Some will eat sea anemones and others are more opportunistic. They will scavenge on dead animal matter. The lobster falls prey to octopus, triggerfish, and some groupers. They are edible, but not commercially harvested. In Hawaii they are allowed to be taken between September-April.

Crazy fact…..The eggs will hatch into small larval stages. The larvae will float/drift in the sea for up to 11 months. It is thought one or less out of 1000 will survive and settle on the ocean floor and grow into a juvenile lobster. Then 1 out of 100 may survive to mature into an adult. If that happens the slipper lobster could live to be about 10 years old. by @oceanprojectmaui

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Blog post 23 #colorsoftheocean This is a Banded Sea Urchin, Echinothrix calamaris. This urchin is also sometimes referred to as the double spined urchin. If you look closely at the photo, you will see a set of shorter dark spines grouped together to form a star shape, called iridophores. These spines are venomous and will deliver a nasty sting. The other spines you notice are longer, thicker, and banded with lighter and darker colors. They are called radiolas. Fun fact, they can shoot these long spines, filled with venom, a short distance. The balloon shaped circle in the center of the urchin is it’s anal sac. This sac is circled with a ring of visual receptors. This enables the urchin to have some basic rudimentary vision.

This is the most common long spine sea urchin found in Hawaii. The urchin can be found anywhere from 5 feet of water to 200 feet of water. It is not uncommon to see a triggerfish or wrasse nibbling on the spines and eventually go for the fleshy underside. This urchin is usually out feeding on algae in the evening. Like most urchins, they move very slowly and scrape algae from the coral and rocks. by @oceanprojectmaui

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Blog post 22 #colorsoftheocean The Spanish Dancer, Hexabranchus sanguineus, which literally means ‘“blood-colored six-gills” . This interesting creature is a nudibranch or sea slug. It is known to be one of the largest species. This creature gets the name Spanish Dancer because of the way it moves. Typically it is crawling with the edges of it’s mantle curling upwards, but when disturbed it will unfold it’s edges and will flee thru undulations of the body…..looking like a Spanish Flamenco Dancer!

The nudibranchs body is soft and flattened with an elongated oval shape. The head section has a pair of retractable rhinophores (kind of like antenas/hornlike antlers/tentacles). They are essentially scent/taste receptors that are chemosensory organs. They detect chemicals that are dissolved in the sea water to locate food or other nudibranchs. Nudibranch means naked gills, and they can be seen on the rear and look very frilly or feather-like.

Usually seen at night, as they are nocturnal feeders. They eat mainly sponges and they have the ability to adsorb toxins from them, that they can then use as protection against predators. How cool is that? They can be seen occasionally during the daytime, in dark crevices or under coral/rock ledges. by @oceanprojectmaui

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