Free events starting tonight at Hanauma

Advertiser Staff

A series of free events at Hanauma Bay will begin tonight with an opportunity to take a moonlight swim at the popular beach.

Under a program sponsored by the University of Hawai'i Sea Grant Program and the Friends of Hanauma Bay, the park will remain open until 10 p.m. and there will be no entrance or parking charges after 6 p.m. The Visitor Center will be open along with concessions for snorkel gear rentals. The tram will continue to run to the lower bay, and the snack bar and gift shop will also be open.

The evening events are planned to utilize the recently upgraded Hanauma Bay Nature Center's facilities for recreational and educational activities.

On Tuesday, the film "Hawai'i Underwater" by Lew Trusty will be shown at 6:30 p.m. in the Visitor Center. Trusty will introduce the film and talk about his trip through Hawai'i's reefs. The bay is usually closed on Tuesdays, but will open at 5 p.m. for the film.

At 6:30 p.m. Thursday, University of Hawai'i oceanography professor Richard Grigg will discuss the history of the Hawaiian archipelago and its coral reefs in the Visitor Center.

Future evening activities at the park will be announced later.

For more information, call 397-5840.