Designing a poster to promote the protection of Hawai‘i’s coral reefs—and creating tasty entrees from ta‘ape (nonindigenous blueline snapper), an invasive reef fish—are just two ways families can participate in the International Year of the Reef (IYOR) at “Reef Night,” on Tuesday, June 22, at the Maui Ocean Center. The theme of the IYOR poster contest (for students in grades K through 12) is the exploration of invasive species and their impacts on coral reefs, in addition to the unique qualities of endemic species and ways to protect our coral reefs. Posters must not exceed 11 by 17 inches in size, and may be created with paint, markers or crayon. Artwork should not be matted, mounted or laminated; student’s name, phone number, school and teacher’s name should appear on the back of the poster. Winning submissions will be displayed on Maui buses, at Haleakala National Park and the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Prizes will be awarded in five age categories and winners will also receive two free tickets to the IYOR Reef Night event on June 22. The poster contest is sponsored by the Office of the Mayor, the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority and Maui’s environmental community groups.

The cook-off will be judged by Mayor Charmaine Tavares, Celebrity Chef and Author Mike Gallager, Brian Yoshikawa, owner of Maui Sporting Goods, Maui Ocean Center General Manager Kate Zolezzi and Allen Tom of the whale sanctuary. The panel of judges will select the top six recipes in both “amateur” and “professional” categories to be prepared in person at the IYOR Reef Night. All recipes must include ta‘ape (lutjanus kasmira) as an entrée. Entries must include the name of the dish, type of cuisine and all ingredients used. The cook-off is designed to promote consumption of a fish that was introduced to Hawaiian waters in the 1950s and has since become an invasive species due to its aggressive spread and negative impact on native species that must compete for habitat and food resources.

The deadline to submit entries is Friday, May 30. Entries for both contests may be mailed to Office of the Mayor, 200 S. High Street, Wailuku, HI 96793, attention Kuhea Paracuelles. Ta‘ape recipes may also be faxed to 242-1187 or emailed to kuhea.paracuelles@mauicounty.gov.