The Waikïkï Aquarium has received rare coral specimens from Papahänaumokuäkea Marine National Monument for a Northwestern Hawaiian Islands exhibit slated to open in late 2010 or early 2011.
Among the coral brought to the aquarium earlier this month is Acropora cytherea, a massive table coral that is virtually absent in the main Hawaiian Islands.
The exhibit will feature an authentic reef ecosystem from the area with signature species of fish and coral not commonly found in the main Hawaiian Islands. It is being developed in partnership and with support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and Papahänaumokuäkea Marine National Monument.
A. cytherea is among one dozen species included in the aquarium’s ongoing behind-the-scenes ark program, which serves as a reference collection for struggling rare Hawaiian coral. Through the program, the delicate reef-building creatures are revived and propagated with hopes of returning them to the wild.