Leadership Corner: Andrew Rossiter
Interviewed by Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Staff Writer
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Name: Andrew Rossiter
Age: 48
Title: Director
Organization: Waikiki Aquarium, University of Hawai'i
High school: Pembroke Grammar School in Dyfed, Wales
College: Bachelor of science in zoology, University College Cardiff, Wales; Ph.D. in aquatic ecology, University College of North Wales
Breakthrough job: Working in an aquarium shop in Wales for six years as a teenager, which taught him how to handle both fish and customers, and being an associate professor at Ehime University, which gave him "academic authenticity," he said.
Little-known fact: About 20 years ago, Rossiter and a buddy walked and hitchhiked across the Himalayas from Tibet to Nepal. They caught rides on trucks and yaks part of the way. It took them five days.
Major challenge: Personally, to lose weight. Professionally, to reintroduce people to the aquarium and get their commitment to its future. "It's about changing their perceptions," Rossiter said.
Book recently read: "Darkness at Noon" by Arthur Koestler
Hobbies: Rugby, koi-keeping, fishing
Mentor: "Many different people have been supportive at various stages of my career and it would be invidious to select any one person in particular," Rossiter said. "However, perhaps my grandfather deserves special mention since it was he who, in my formative years when I was very young, took me on nature walks and encouraged my interest in living things."
Q. April marked your first year at the helm of the Waikiki Aquarium. What have been some of your accomplishments?
A. What was most remarkable with us last year, ticket prices went up and coupled with that attendance figures went through the roof. Seriously, it's (because of) great PR, getting the message out there, targeting certain sectors of the tourist industry and local media. (Our marketing) was more up-beat and target-driven.
One of the major things I've done since I've been here is change exhibits. Some of the exhibits had been in place for 10, 12 years. So I started putting in new species, revamping the displays, etc.
Q. Anything you didn't anticipate?
A. I was disappointed we didn't get money from the Legislature. We asked for a measly $900,000 to get the infrastructure of this place back to where it should be. It's a 50-year-old building and it's showing its age. We want to expand and improve, and without this basic infrastructure, it will be difficult to do so. And given that this is a tourist-oriented state and that we are a major tourist attraction — we're No. 5 in the rankings, by the way — I would've hoped that something would have been forthcoming. But never mind, we'll try again. We'll be back.
Q. State lawmakers this year gave developer Jeff Stone a 10-year, $75 million state tax credit to aid in building a world-class aquarium at Ko Olina Resort & Marina. Do you think this aquarium will compete or complement the Waikiki Aquarium?
A. I can understand why (the state) is investing out there because it needs investment. I'm sure the venture will be a success. I don't see it affecting us negatively in any way at all. We're different niche markets, we're geographically isolated. I think it will be great for Hawai'i.
Q. What are your short- and long-term goals?
A. To improve and revamp the existing exhibits and to add new and larger exhibits ... We want to increase and improve the research activity of this place within the aquarium or in collaboration with UH or other researchers. I'd like this to be a window on the sea to all people. I want everyone who comes here to leave after having been entertained and, hopefully, educated a little, and to leave here with the knowledge that the marine life and ecosystem that we have around these islands are truly unique. And that's irrespective if the visitors are 5 years old or 95.
Q. Do you feel the exhibits here accurately reflect the uniqueness of Hawai'i's marine ecosystems? Do you want to include more than what's in Hawaiian waters?
A. I'd like to stay focused on Hawai'i as the main thing but perhaps expand also to show some of the other ecosystems around the Pacific. We're slap-bang in the Pacific, we're ideally positioned for that. But it's really surprising, local people come in here, see exhibits of Hawaiian corals and fishes and say, "Wow, I didn't know that was out there." It's really amazing.
Q. Seven giant clams were stolen from the aquarium on April 2 and returned a week later. What are your thoughts on what happened?
A. It was bizarre, disappointing, sad, frustrating. One (clam) is still a bit off-color. The trick with keeping them is you've got to get them under the correct type of light and I don't think they were. Otherwise, they starve to death ... My major concern wasn't that they wouldn't be returned, wasn't that they'd be killed. My biggest concern was that the person who stole them would put them on the reef. And that would be the most terrible thing that could have happened. We don't know (what could have happened). Maybe they would have died on the reef, maybe they would have colonized the whole thing. There's enough problems with the reefs at the moment without having to add to it.
Q. What has been the most rewarding part of your job?
A. Knowing ... that this aquarium holds a special place in the hearts and minds of the local community, working together with a great group of dedicated and talented staff at the aquarium, and seeing the immense potential that the Waikiki Aquarium holds in its present location. These together contribute to my knowing that coming here has been one of the few wise decisions I have ever made.
