The Marine Institute at MOC

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The Marine Institute at MOC Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from The Marine Institute at MOC, Nonprofit Organization, Wailuku, HI.

MOC Marine Institute is a nonprofit located on Maui, HI with a mission to inspire lifelong environmental stewardship and ensure the survival of coral reefs and sea turtles in Hawai'i through science-based conservation efforts, education, and outreach.

10/20/2026

Wedged tight between two points of lava rock, this large honu had nowhere to go.

Our team arrived, assessed the situation, and carefully freed him. We treated a few scrapes, took morphometrics, and scanned for tags. Then, he was on his way!

Every release like this is a reminder of how much the ocean asks of these animals, and how much a little help can give back.
Welcome home, big guy. 🐢

*All MOC Marine Institute sea turtle stranding response, rehabilitation, and research is authorized under USFWS and NOAA permits.
PC: Positive Planet Photography

10/18/2026

Ever wonder why healthy corals look so colorful? Hint: it’s not just the coral.

A single square centimeter of coral can host millions of these tiny algae, and when ocean temperatures rise even 1°C above normal, that partnership can break down. The good news is that bleached corals aren’t necessarily dead. If conditions improve in time, they can welcome the algae back.

That’s why our coral restoration team studies which corals handle heat best. 🌡️

*All work is conducted under DLNR DAR Special Activities Permits.

The Hawaiian monk seal is the last surviving species in its genus, and every one of them counts. Our education programs ...
10/16/2026

The Hawaiian monk seal is the last surviving species in its genus, and every one of them counts. Our education programs help students understand why these animals are so vulnerable and what it takes to protect them.

Programs are hands-on and built around real conservation work. Students can:
🐢 Learn honu biology and the threats sea turtles face
🪸 Study coral under microscopes
🦭 Explore monk seal biology and why professional response matters
🎣 Sort and catalog fishing line collected from our island-wide recycling network

Programs happen in your classroom, in our lab, or in the field at places like Kahekili and Makena Landing.

In 2025, we reached more than 2,900 students, community members, and visitors, and we’d love to bring your class into the next group.

Teachers, learn more at https://www.mocmarineinstitute.org/conservation-education

10/14/2026

This juvenile honu was found in Kīhei with monofilament line wrapped around both front flippers and the neck, causing swelling and visible necrosis. The worst part? This wasn’t our first response to this animal.

Monofilament is nearly invisible underwater. To a turtle, it’s a trap that closes slowly, over hours or days. Thanks to the caller who reported this to our hotline, our team was able to respond, remove the line in-field, and release the honu.

We'll keep coming back for our sea turtles. Unforutnately, so will the line causing this damage unless we remove it from the ocean.

Share this post & remind your friends to recycle their used fishing line. Then support our response team with a donation here: https://www.mocmarineinstitute.org/sea-turtle-rescue-and-rehabilitation

*All MOC Marine Institute sea turtle stranding response, rehabilitation, and research is authorized under USFWS and NOAA permits.

10/12/2026

How do we know which corals can handle rising ocean temperatures? We put them to the test.

Step 2 of our restoration process is all about preparing corals and testing their limits. During thermal tolerance testing, our team uses a visual bleaching score to track how each coral responds to heat stress. The results help guide our restoration and outplanting efforts.

💬 What do you want to know about our coral process? Drop your questions below and we’ll answer them in an upcoming post!

*All work is conducted under DLNR DAR Special Activities Permits.

10/10/2026

Monk seals haul out to rest, so a seal on the sand isn't in trouble. It's napping. Giving them at least 50 feet (more if there's a pup) lets them get the sleep they need.

Scissors wins. So does the seal. 🦭

*All work related to Hawaiian Monk Seals is conducted under a cooperative agreement with NOAA

Raise a glass for marine conservation! 🍻Join our team at in Kihei today from 5 to 7 PM. We'll be on site to answer all ...
10/08/2026

Raise a glass for marine conservation! 🍻

Join our team at in Kihei today from 5 to 7 PM. We'll be on site to answer all your conservation questions. Can't make it that late? Don't worry—$1 from every featured b**r goes directly to our conservation programs ALL DAY LONG.

You sip. A turtle gets saved. We all win. 🐢

Ask your server about today's special!

🦭 Calling all UH students on Maui:We're looking for a student to join our spring 2027 Hawaiian monk seal response intern...
10/07/2026

🦭 Calling all UH students on Maui:

We're looking for a student to join our spring 2027 Hawaiian monk seal response internship. Stipend available!

Our hotline gets daily reports of seals hauled out on Maui's beaches. When a call comes in, you'll help dispatch our team to monitor the seal, collect health and ID data, and talk story with beachgoers about monk seal conservation.

What you'll learn to do (8+ hrs/week):
- Answer monk seal hotline calls
- Dispatch volunteers and respond to sightings
- Educate the public
- Identify and assess Hawaiian monk seals
- Assist MOCMI staff with conservation tasks

Who we're looking for:
- 18 or older
- Maui resident with reliable transportation and internet
- Student at any University of Hawai'i campus

Full description and how to apply: https://www.mocmarineinstitute.org/join-our-ohana
Know a UH student who loves the ocean? Tag them below 👇

Last but not least — 5 more generous donors making waves for conservation 🐢The auction is live and closing September 30t...
09/27/2026

Last but not least — 5 more generous donors making waves for conservation 🐢

The auction is live and closing September 30th, with luxury stays, adventures above and below the sea, and gift certificates up for grabs. Something for everyone!

Bid now. Proceeds support sea turtle rehabilitation, coral reef restoration, Hawaiian monk seal response, and conservation education. 🌊💙

Link at https://go.rallyup.com/mocmi2026

09/23/2026

Another look at Sunday’s rapid response at Molokini 🌊🪸

Following Hurricane Lowell, a team of organizations, businesses and volunteers came together to assess storm impacts on Molokini’s reef and day-use mooring infrastructure.

From mooring assessments to coral surveys, the morning was all about gathering the information needed to better understand and care for this special place. 💙

A huge mahalo to everyone who made it possible:

Trilogy Excursions



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Wailuku, HI

Telephone

+18082862549

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