Maritime Symposium Takes Dive Into History

A UH Manoa Marine Option Program diver documents the radial engine of a World War II fighter plane, an F6F Hellcat, near Laie, Maui. The fusilage and wings lie a short distance away. Photo courtesy Hans Van Tilburg, NOAA ONMS.

Whether you have an obsession for shipwrecks or are just curious, UH Manoa has a maritime symposium for you Feb. 17-20 in Hawaii Kai.

The 23rd annual event will be at the NOAA Sanctuary office at 6600 Kalanianaole Hwy., Suite 300 (third floor of Roy’s Restaurant building), offering a look at the history of maritime archeology in Hawaii and the Pacific.

Titled “Diving into History: Technical and Sport Exploration of Shipwreck,” it begins at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 17 with a discussion on Heritage Awareness diving seminars. A series of more than 24 lectures are scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 18-19. A two-hour trip to the Hawaii Undersea Research Lab is set for 9:30 a.m. Feb. 20.

The two-day symposium costs $75, or $40 per day, with special prices for military, students and K-12 teachers. The price includes breakfast, pupus and a conference barbecue. The Feb. 17 and 20 activities are free, and all events are open to the public. For more information, call Jeff Kuwabara at 956-8433.

Divers, historians, students, archaeologists, preservationists and anyone wanting more details can email hans.vantilburg@noaa.gov or visit mahhi.org.