Anyone working in marine education or recreation or just curious about the ocean is invited to a five-day Ocean Awareness Training program in Waikiki.

Marine conservation organizations joined to offer the program from 8:15 to 11:45 a.m. Saturday and March 14, 21 and 28 at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. A special evening also will be included at the Waikiki Aquarium.

The fee for the class is $20, including training materials, refreshments and parking.

Those who complete all the sessions and a field experience will receive a CORAL Card (Care of our Culture, Ocean, Reefs and Animal Life) to demonstrate their knowledge of the ocean.

Different aspects of Hawaii's unique marine environment will be presented, including marine ecology, protected species, threats to coastal and marine environments and marine life identification.

The program is modeled after one that began in 2006 on Maui. The first Oahu program was hosted last November in Hawaii Kai by the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.

Christine Brammer, the sanctuary's Oahu programs coordinator, said 50 people were registered within two days, and more than 150 were on a waiting list, “;so we're aiming for a class size closer to 100”; this month.

Added Jennifer Barrett, of the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program, “;The Sheraton Waikiki is a great venue, and we'll be able to increase the class considerably.”;

To register, e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 397-2651, ext. 249.