Travel Briefs
Star-Bulletin staff
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New at the aquarium
Those visiting the Waikiki Aquarium now have three new exhibits to enjoy:
» Spiny grazers: The beautifully black venomous urchins are known locally as wana. A popular food of many reef animals, sea urchins are well defended by their sharply pointed, serrated, brittle and venomous spines. Once in a wound, they are painful and difficult to remove.
» Groupers and snappers: These large-mouthed predators feed primarily on shrimps, crabs and other fishes, and can vary in size from small species that reach only a few inches to the giant grouper, which can reach 8 1/2 feet and weigh up to 900 pounds. Several groupers in this exhibit mature first as females before switching genders to become males. Featured here are the sailfin snapper and groupers such as the leaflip soapfish and the red coral hind or miniata grouper.
» Hidden worlds: On a coral reef, the more you look, the more you see. Among the smallest of fishes hidden here are reef gobies stalking prey through the reef's intricate labyrinth. Meanwhile, the seemingly delicate flowers along a coral branch are actually hungry mouths. These gorgonians, or sea fans, are a relative of sea anemones and corals with flowerlike polyps lining skeletal branches. Each polyp has a central mouth surrounded by stinging tentacles for capturing tiny prey.
The Waikiki Aquarium, founded in 1904, is the third-oldest public aquarium in the United States. It is at 2777 Kalakaua Ave., and open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, except Christmas. Admission is $9 for visitors; $6 for local residents, active duty military with ID, students with ID and seniors; $4 for ages 13-17 and persons with disabilities; $2 for ages 5 to 12; and free for 4 and younger. Call 923-9741 or visit www.waquarium.org.
COURTESY OF ASHLEY STEPANEK
Alex Zawadzki, a Wailuku dad and massage therapist for Spa Moana, understands the value of relaxation, waiting for a treatment himself.
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Treat Dad to relaxation
Get Dad to relax on Father's Day with a spa package, available throughout June at 10 percent off the regular cost, at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa's Spa Moana.
Designed to alleviate sore muscles and work stress, the combination of treatments "covers the bases" with a deep-tissue athlete massage, a muscle detoxifying body wrap and deep-cleansing facial, available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The cost of the three treatments, at 50 minutes each, is $435.94. For a menu of treatments, visit www.maui.hyatt.com and click through "activities" to Spa Moana for a facility overview. To make reservations or inquire about other spa options, call 808-667-4725.