ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jean-Michel Cousteau received kava, an ancient Hawaiian drink, before his crew's departure yesterday from Honolulu Harbor on a six-week filmmaking expedition to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
Northwest isles will
star in TV specialJean-Michel Cousteau begins
a voyage to document marine life
The son of ocean research pioneer Jacques Cousteau has embarked on a six-week expedition to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands to record its pristine coral reef for television viewers.
"We will be able to highlight a place that doesn't need to be restored, but needs to be protected," said Jean-Michel Cousteau.
A ceremony was held at the Marine Education and Training Center on Sand Island before Cousteau and 22 crew members departed yesterday for the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Their expedition will be documented on a film called "Voyage to Kure" that is set to air on public television in fall 2004.
Most of the crew members are part of a nonprofit marine conservation and education organization called Ocean Futures Society. Cousteau founded the organization to continue his father's legacy in marine study and preservation. Jacques Cousteau died in 1997.
"I think my father would be proud of every one of you," said Cousteau, 65, to his crew. "We're doing justice for the ocean."
A presidential executive order made the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands a coral reef reserve in December 2000.
Crew members will travel 1,200 miles on a 96-foot, 240-ton research vessel, the Searcher, to explore marine life and coral reefs along the island chain. The islands are home to green sea turtles, monk seals and more than 18 species of seabirds.
The expedition will use new technology that includes high-definition video, lighting, navigation, satellite imagery and an apparatus that allows divers to stay underwater longer.
Crew members earlier explored the depleting conditions of the reef in Waikiki to reveal the human impact on marine life for the documentary.
"Something is wrong on how we treat the marine world," said Cousteau.
The documentary will also feature an expedition of the same islands by master navigator Nainoa Thompson and members of the Polynesian Voyaging Society on the Hokule'a. The double-hulled canoe will set sail to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands in September.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Cousteau touched the forehead of kumu hula John Keola Lake yesterday before his crew's departure. The expedition will be documented in a film called "Voyage to Kure" set to air in fall 2004.
Cousteau is expected to join Thompson on Kure.
