VNR: UH Marine Option Program graduates more than 2,000 students in 50-year history

Link to video and sound (details below): https://bit.ly/3iCRbua

WHAT: The Marine Option Program at the University of Hawaiʻi turns 50 years old this fall. The program, which has graduated more than 2,000 students, is designed to enrich the quality of life of its students and the community by increasing their ocean awareness, understanding and appreciation.

Started in 1971, the Marine Option Program has turned into one of the most dynamic and inclusive programs in the UH System. Not only is it open to students of all majors across the 10-campus system, the program prides itself on the experiential marine-related education it provides. Students enrolled in the program are required to complete 12–16 credit hours of marine-related courses, an interdisciplinary studies seminar course and a final project.

WHY: The Marine Option Program started as an experiential program organized by faculty and students, and funded primarily by the state legislature and grants. Because UH did not offer a marine science-related degree at the time, the program was created to give students an opportunity to gain experience in the marine field.

WHO: Athline Clark—National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) superintendent of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument and Marine Option Program alumna

Randy Kosaki—Papahānaumokuākea research coordinator and Marine Option Program alumnus

Cynthia Hunter—Marine Option Program director

John Craven and Jack Davidson—Marine Option Program co-founders

Additional coordinators across the UH System can be found on the program’s website.

Additional details: 

• Since 1971, the Marine Option Program has achieved major milestones, including expanding to all UH campuses; conducting important research such as the Hawaiʻi state fisheries plan, a Kaho‘olawe marine study and green sea turtle projects; hosting dozens of educational events for the community; and jumpstarting the careers of experts in the marine field in Hawaiʻi and across the globe.

• Thomas Iwai Jr. was the first Marine Option Program graduate in 1972. He credited his experience in the program volunteering at the Ānuenue Fisheries Research Center (AFRC)—part of the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources—with kick-starting his interest in freshwater prawn culture. He later went on to work with many other freshwater and marine species at AFRC to help in the development of an aquaculture industry in Hawaiʻi.

• Alex Reininger (pronunciation: RYE-ning-er) is a graduate of the Marine Option Program. During her experience in the program, Reininger worked as a sea turtle stranding assistant with NOAA. She gained hands-on experience working closely with an important marine species in Hawaiʻi.

VIDEO BROLL: (1:38)

0:00-0:50—Marine Option Program

0:50-1:38—Alex Reininger working with sea turtles

SOUNDBITES:

Cindy Hunter, UH Marine Option Program director

(0:20)

“This program is unique to the University of Hawaiʻi, across all of the majors, across all of the campuses in the system and it provides students and has now for the last 50 years with an unparalleled foundation for going onto careers in marine-related fields.”

(0:18)

“As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Marine Option Program, we’re looking forward to the next 50 years because this program has a proven track record. Alumni around the state, around the country and around the world can attest to the effectiveness of how the program works.”

Alex Reininger, UH Marine Option Program graduate

(0:16)

“The Marine Option Program has provided me with a platform to really immerse myself within the marine science community here in Hawaiʻi. And to work under mentors that are so inspirational and supportive has been very critical in my learning experience.”