Maui Ocean Center celebrated World Ocean Day — held annually on June 8 — with a variety of educational and cultural activities.

Marine naturalists hosted a coral feeding station and gave ocean-themed presentations throughout the day. Two diver programs were held inside the 750,000-gallon Open Ocean exhibit featuring sharks, stingrays and schooling fish.

“Our guests were able to connect with Maui’s marine life, Hawaiian culture and the ocean that sustains us,” said Tiara Fernandez, the aquarium’s education director.

Conservation groups represented during the event include The Marine Institute at Maui Ocean Center, Pacific Whale Foundation, Whale Trust and NOAA’s Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.

In the Sphere Theater, humpback whales were the focus with alternating showings of the “Humpbacks of Hawaiʻi” 3D Experience and “Koholā,” a film by local photographer and filmmaker Daniel Sullivan.

Maui Ocean Treasures featured vendors throughout the gift store and outside in nearby Discovery Plaza, where a musical duo entertained the crowd with island-inspired tunes.

“We hope to see everyone at our next event, Coral Spawning Night, on July 15,” Fernandez added.