The 20th anual Symposium on Maritime Archeology and the History of Hawai'i and the Pacific takes place this weekend with guests from as far away as Australia here to discuss historic resources that remind us of our connection to the sea.

The Symposium, co-sponsored by the University of Hawai'i Marine Option Program the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office National Marine Sanctuaries and the Maritime Archaeology and History of the Hawaiian Islands Foundation, is Saturday and Sunday at the NOAA conference center, 600 Kalaniana'ole Highway in Hawai'i Kai.

A featured topic will be the preservation of historic museum ships, a timely one with the concern over the fate of the Bishop Museum's Falls of Clyde; Friends of the Falls of Clyde president Bruce McEwan will be among the presenters. Also on hand: Ray Ashley, director of the San Diego Maritime Museum; Paul DePrey, superintentent of the WWII Valor in the Pacific National Monument (Pearl Harbor); Mike Carr, president of the USS Missouri Association; Jerry Hofwolt, director fo the USS Bowfin Museum; Tim Rynyan' of NOAA' Maritime Heritage Program; Jamie White, lead rigger at the San Francisco Maritime Museum; Paul Hundley, senior curator at the Australia National Maritime Museum, Hans Van Tilburg, heritage coordinator for NOAA's Pacific Islands region and Kelly Gleason, a marine archaeologist for the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument.

Information and registration: mahhi.org or call Van Tilburg, 397-2404, ext. 264.