I Mission Statement

II Open Ocean Recycling

III Marine Pollution Survey

IV International Ocean's Day

V Reef Check

VI Ocean Pulse

VII Clean Oceans '98

VIII Website

IX Community Education
and Videos

Our original board of directors were: Carl Stepath, educator, entrepreneur, businessman and sailor; Teresa Tico, windsurfer and attorney; Bob Grinpas, windsurfer, attorney and owner of Island Tropicals; Esti Grinpas, windsurfer and co-owner of Island Tropicals; and Nicholas Barran, computer programmer and yacht racer. Carl Stepath sailed to Hawaii in 1975, owned and operated Nawiliwili Marine and Sailboards Kauai for many years before building his own energy efficient home in Ha'ena. Teresa Tico, a Kauai attorney, has competed in bodysurfing, yacht racing, and windsurfing events in the Hawaiian Islands. Nicholas Barran, originally from England and now living on the West Coast, is a yacht racer and computer programmer. Each of them, like the current board members, is committed to promoting, protecting and preserving the quality of our living oceans.

I. MISSION STATEMENT
To utilize education and research to preserve, protect, and restore the world’s oceans for future generations. SAVE OUR SEAS was incorporated under the Laws of the State of Hawaii in February 1993.

II. OPEN OCEAN RECYCLING PROGRAM
A plan was formulated for recycling on the high seas and submitted a proposal for "onboard" recycling during the 1993 Trans Pac Yacht Race from Los Angeles to Honolulu. The Trans Pac Board of Directors not only endorsed our proposal, but also made recycling a requirement and added a new regulation that any racer who threw anything overboard from a yacht during the race would cause that yacht to be disqualified from the race.

Racers were instructed to recycle paper, aluminum and glass. All other debris was kept onboard, as well. We formed a partnership with BFI Hawaii who provided the recycling and trash bins at the Ala Wai Yacht Basin, and the State of Hawaii, who provided State land for placement of the bins. At the conclusion of the race, racers disposed of their recycled items and trash at the Ala Wai and BFI took over.

The open ocean recycling program was highly successful and serves as a global role model for all ocean-going vessels. Our program has been adopted by yacht clubs in Japan and Australia and eventually, we plan to expand the program to commercial vessels cruise lines, oil tankers and freighters, and naval vessels.

The open Ocean Recycling program was successfully incorporated into the TransPac in July 2003!

III. MARINE POLLUTION SURVEY
Simultaneous with the recycling program, we conducted a “Marine Pollution Survey.” We asked the yacht racers to maintain a "log" which we designed, and describe any contamination sighted during the race, along with latitude and longitude of sighting. Racers at first were skeptical, as they believed they would be too busy racing to observe ocean debris. However, the 1993 race turned out to be the slowest in the 100-year history of the race and sightings were phenomenal. This surprised the racers the most, and increased awareness among them as to the magnitude of pollution in the high seas.

When the logs were turned in and data compiled, it was determined that 90 percent of the contamination sightings consisted of plastics--driftnets mostly. There were contamination sightings at least once every 30 minutes, everyday of the 10-day race, from LA to Oahu.

Originally, our intent was to create a global database of contamination on the high seas. Data collected in the 2003 race will be compared to the 1993 data, and will add to our database of pollution between the West Coast and Hawaiian Islands.

The open Marine Pollution Survey was successfully incorporated into the TransPac in July 2003!

IV. INTERNATIONAL OCEANS DAY
In 1992, at the Rio Conference on the Environment and Development, the United Nations declared the second Saturday in June of every year as International Oceans Day. Its objectives are to raise public awareness about the importance of the planet's oceans in our lives: educate students, citizens and key decision makers about managing human activities related to the oceans, and how each person can make a difference; promote oceans "caretaker" activities, including projects, research and cultural and educational events; strengthen existing ocean networks, databases and information exchange; promote law and policy development through oceans education. SOS learned about the proclamation over the internet as a number of marine conservation organizations in Canada and Europe were setting up websites for the event. As far as SOS could determine, no organization in the United States recognized International Oceans Day. We asked Governor Cayetano and each of the mayors throughout Hawaii to issue written proclamations declaring June 8, 1995 (and in perpetuity) as Oceans Day throughout the State of Hawaii. They did, and we have these proclamations on display at our headquarters on Kauai.

We set about organizing the event and dedicated oceans Day 1995 to “Coral Reefs, the Rainforests of the Ocean.” Oceans Day commenced with Hawaiian chants and blessing by kumu hula, Pa'ula Chandler, Dr. James Maragos of the UH East West Center and one of the leading coral reef authorities in the world, headlined the event, conducted coral reef talks and walks, and planted the seed for the SOS Coral Reef Monitoring Project (see VI, below). Children were encouraged to participate and were given coral reef coloring books.

Oceans Day 2003 included the first successful trip of Ocean Pulse At Sea on June 8, 2003 to Nualolo Kai. Students from Waipa journeyed on the Tropic Bird to Nualolo Kai, where they mapped the reef and met with the Na Pali Coast Ohana and archaeologists to help cleanup and learn about the ancient fishing village. The students compared their finding at Nualolo Kai to the data they collected at Waicoco Reef in Hanalei Bay, and found some interesting results.

V. "Reef Check" Coral Reef Monitoring
Reef Check is the largest international program involving recreational divers and marine scientists. SOS preformed the first Reef Check in the world in 1997 at the Clean Oceans Conference in Princeville, Kaua'i! The results of Reef Check 97 and other surveys that year provided the first solid evidence that coral reefs have been damaged on a global scale. In addition to producing valuable scientific results, Reef Check 97 raised the awareness of scientists, governments, politicians and the public about the value of coral reefs, threats to their health and solutions to coral reef problems. Reef Check is one of the few programs that helps local community members learn how to monitor their coral reefs, providing the information needed so that they can be managed in a sustainable manner. Participation in Reef Check is one of the best methods of changing people's behavior and slowing the damage so that reefs can recover. Reef Check is one solution to the coral reef crisis. REEF CHECK 10 YR. ANNIVERSARY 2007

VI.  "OCEAN PULSE"
By far our most successful program to date, Project Ocean Pulse enlists students from public and private schools in creating databases for coral reefs around Kauai, Hawaii, and the world. Dr. Maragos, Ocean Pulse supervisor and head scientist, proposed the project at the Oceans Day celebration in 1995. Thus far, Kapa'a Intermediate and Kula Schools have participated. The children, using transects, count corals, marine life, and measure water quality. In taking personal responsibility for the reefs adjoining their communities, they become "reefkeepers" and help preserve their reefs for future generations. Not only does the program educate, but also it instills pride in and respect for our oceans.

Ocean Pulse was a success in 1996 and 1997, and is again  a success in 2003-2008 at Kula High and 2003 a the Myron B. Thompson Academy on Kaua'i (2 classes).  Ocean Pulse was also successful at Kula High, Intermediate and Elementary on Kaua'i during the 04-05 and 05-06 and 06-07.  2008 OCEAN PULSE GRADES K-6 and 7 & 10 with 3-6 High school interns that serve as peer ecologists and lifeguards!

Ocean Pulse could easily be introduced to island communities throughout the world; to teach the children how to identify creatures, compile marine data, and measure water quality. Targeted areas include the Philippines, Indonesia, and South Pacific. Doctors will accompany the SOS Ocean Pulse team, providing medical services and supplies where needed. Ultimately, we will have a database for coral reefs in diverse locations and contribute to the health of children in island communities near these reefs.

Ocean Pulse at Sea has helped many students and residents explore their island during 2003-2008.

VII. International CLEAN OCEANS CONFERENCE
Save Our Seas celebration of the United Nations International Year of the Ocean in June of 1998 was a success. The Mission of the conference was: To create a model educational forum for the open exchange of ideas, to promote conservation of our oceans through community and corporate partnership, and to increase awareness through active participation in preserving our world's greatest resource ­ the ocean.

Save Our Seas 4th Clean Ocean Conference on June 9th 2007 on the Island of Kauai,  coincided with Hawaii Oceans Day and the global celebration of International Oceans Day.  A number of government agencies and NGO's  co-sponsored and participated in the conference.

VIII. WEBSITE
Our award-winning site has been around since the inception of the internet boom. It has educated and attracted people from all over the world as evidenced by our numerous email and "snail" mail inquiries. It is constantly updated. We welcome your response.

IX. COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND VIDEOS
Community education is key to working to protect our oceans and the future of our natural resources. SOS has committed itself to producing educational videos that will bridge the gap between the scientific community and the community at large. Save Our Seas has been making education videos for television since 1996, and feels that it is an excellent way to reach people who would otherwise never have the opportunity to learn some of these interesting ocean facts and concepts.

“The future of the
world ocean lies
in our hands.” -- HAVE FAITH!

SOS Board of Directors