Keiki Corner

 

NEW! Hot off the press…

We just released a new Herbivores: Gardeners of the Reef keiki activity and coloring book! To celebrate, we are hosting a coloring and drawing contest for keiki up to age 12!

Deadline for entry submissions have been extended to Tuesday, August 15, 2023!

Keiki ages 8 and under can enter by coloring and submitting an uhu or kole coloring page (download below). Keiki ages 9 to 12 can enter by submitting a personal drawing of a marine herbivore and answering the following question: How does your favorite herbivore help the reef?

Community and Partner Contacts.xlsx

2023 Herbivore Coloring Contest

Congratulations to the winners of our 2023 Herbivore Coloring Contest! We received such beautiful submissions that were so creative and really brought our coral reefs to life. Keiki 8 and under submitted a colored illustration of our Manini or Kala coloring page, and keiki 9-12 entered the contest by submitting a personal drawing of their favorite herbivore fish. Mahalo nui to all those who participated! Click below to view the winning entries!

How to Enter:

  • For ages 8 and under, download and print an uhu or kole coloring page below
  • Color it with crayons, markers, pencil, or paint
  • For ages 9 to 12, create a unique drawing with crayons, markers, pencil, or paint
  • Contest entries will be judged in the following age categories with one winner from each category: <5 years, 5 to 8 years, and 9 to 12 years old
  • One submission allowed per person
  • Parent/Legal Guardian signature is required along with contact information
  • Email submissions to [email protected], or mail/drop off to:
    DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources
    1151 Punchbowl St #330 Honolulu HI 96813
  • Deadline extended: Entries must be received by 5:00pm HST August 15, 2023
  • Make sure to include your full name, age, island, and contact information. For the 9-12 year category, include a description of your herbivore and a short statement that describes how your favorite herbivore helps coral reefs
  • DAR will contact winners by August 31, 2023 through email and/or phone
  • Stay tuned for prizes to be announced! Last year winners got some amazing gifts, and one winner got their drawing printed as stickers!

Click below to download an uhu
or kole coloring page!

 

What are herbivore fish?

They are fish that eat algae as their main source of food. Herbivores eat the algae and keep it from overgrowing, helping it to stay in balance on the reef. They are like the coral reef’s natural gardeners! The uhu (parrotfish) and kole (Goldring Surgeonfish) are two examples of herbivore fish.

To learn more about herbivores and coral reefs, click HERE to download and print your own copy of our Herbivore Keiki Activity and Coloring Book. Limited copies will be available at our outreach events and the Division of Aquatic Resources office in Honolulu. Stay tuned for an ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i version coming soon!

2022 Herbivore Coloring Contest

Congratulations to the winners of our 2022 Herbivore Coloring Contest! We received such amazing submissions that were so full of color and life – just like our coral reefs. Keiki 8 and under submitted a colored illustration of our Manini or Kala coloring page, and keiki 9-12 entered the contest by submitting a personal drawing of their favorite herbivore fish along with a short statement on why they are important in our reefs. Click below to view the winning entries!

 

Because we received such beautiful artwork from many talented keiki, we wanted to showcase their work and give everyone the opportunity to view and appreciate their art. Please click here to swim through the fishes in our ocean – through the eyes of our keiki!