The aquarium, owned by the University of Hawai'i, is set to celebrate its 101st birthday March 19 with two new exhibits — the first time in a decade there has been more than a single new exhibit opening at once. But it is suffering from a lack of money that goes back to the mid-1990s.

"The previous administration ignored this place," said Rossiter, on the job just eight months. "They didn't regard it as an important component of the university. The current administration is pleasantly different from that and they've recognized it and hopefully they'll support us in the future."

Andrew Rossiter

"The air-conditioning trips two or three times a week in the summer and you have to go to generator power and that's pretty serious," Rossiter said.

To make all the repairs would cost an estimated $940,000, with $300,000 of that for the most crucial electrical upgrade.

Focused attention

Leaks are causing damage to the ceiling above the aquarium's entrance. A board is placed above a hole in the ceiling to direct water away from the reception desk. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

"With this issue now behind us, it's hoped that revenue flow via donations will show a significant increase," Rossiter told legislators two weeks ago, "and ultimately allow the aquarium to attain its plans for renewal, improvement and diversification of exhibits."

Gary K. Ostrander, Manoa's newly hired vice chancellor for research and graduate education, said the aquarium is a "high priority" for him personally.

"We are committed to stepping everything up a notch," said Ostrander, who has a background in marine research at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. "Obviously there are infrastructure issues we have to deal with, and we will be formulating a plan in the near future."

But the university doesn't have the aquarium on its priority list this year. It wasn't included in the 31 capital improvements projects requested by the UH administration from the Legislature, or the boiled-down requests sent down to lawmakers by the governor.

Catastrophic damage to the university from the Oct. 30 flood has complicated immediate budgetary needs. The state will need to make up the difference between what insurance does not cover and any federal aid it accepts to repair the $76 million in overall damage and cleanup costs.

"There is a backlog of $99 million in repairs and maintenance for Manoa alone, and the aquarium has other resources, such as its fees, that it can draw upon," said university spokesman Jim Manke.

'Barely makes a dent'

Waikiki Aquarium director Andrew Rossiter points out holes in the ceiling near the shark exhibit. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

Fortunately, the aquarium's repair and maintenance needs aren't keeping tourists away.

On a recent afternoon, Lorna Murphy from Mississauga, Canada, trekked barefoot from exhibit to exhibit, praising them all. "I love it and I haven't even gone outside," said Murphy, staring in appreciation at a leafy seadragon that sported enough protective decor it could pass for a hunk of seaweed.

"What amazes me is the variety," Murphy said, "and how they're combined so they don't eat each other."

Though the university has been criticized recently by State Auditor Marion Higa for its neglect of Lyon Arboretum, Rossiter doesn't believe the two facilities are similar.

"The aquarium (staff) has looked after itself better than the arboretum has," said Rossiter, who is also heading the university task force charged with making recommendations for the arboretum's future. "It's shown a more business-savvy attitude."

But he does believe the aquarium has been "a little bit forgotten." The last time the roof saw a major overhaul was 1992, after which it immediately began leaking again, he said.

Tourists keep coming

Aquarium staff got creative to deal with a leak in the graphics room: The funnel and hose help direct dripping water into a bucket. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

"My statement to the Legislature, the Board of Regents and the university has been that the Waikiki Aquarium is underestimated, underappreciated and undervalued," he said.

With better facilities, the aquarium could earn more than $1 million dollars a year by increasing sales of tropical fish, corals and colorful clams to other aquaria worldwide. And it could create a sensational new reef exhibit across the front lawn, Rossiter said. He's also eyeing ways to create a 2 1/2-story additional exhibit area partially below the lawn that faces the sea.

He's applying for a $600,000 grant to build a new two-story deck for marine microcosm research. He hopes to see expanded work on propagating endangered and rare species of coral.

"Captive breeding preserves the native population," he said. "Aquariums should be in the front line of marine conservation."

With some of the additional money from entrance-fee hikes, he's having staff offices repainted and recarpeted. He also has plans to reclaim another large section of lawn owned by the aquarium, but now used as part of Kapi'olani Park. In part of that new space, he's looking at providing a play area for children and families, focusing on a marine learning environment.

To some visitors, one of the problems isn't the facility, but simply finding out about it.

"I don't think it's advertised enough," complained Murphy, padding barefoot past an exquisite reef tank with a riotously colorful group of tropical inhabitants and some of the world's largest clams. "I had a difficult time finding out what bus to take and what road it was on."

Nonetheless, she was making plans to bring the rest of her tour buddies — a group of square-dancing farmers — down there the next day. "They'll enjoy it," she said.

Reach Beverly Creamer at bcreamer@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8013.