Welcome to Kaimana Conservation
Written by Jessica Colla
Aloha, e komo mai (welcome) to Kaimana Conservation!
My name is Jessica, and I'm a professional marine biologist, ocean conservationist, and outreach educator based on the beautiful island of Maui, Hawai'i.
While this isn’t my usual platform for teaching about the ocean, the global pandemic has prompted a lot of change. As we navigate self-isolation and social distancing, many of us are rethinking our lifestyles and diving into self-discovery during this unexpected free time.
Like so many others, I felt the impact of these changes deeply. Hawaii, with its low case rates, is fortunate in many ways, but our reliance on tourism means the pandemic hit hard. Maui has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. Most locals, including myself, faced job losses or furloughs, leaving me wondering: What can an ocean educator do without anyone to teach?
What can an ocean educator do without someone to teach about the ocean?!
Initially, I naively thought we’d be back to normal in no time. I imagined quickly returning to my work, sharing the beauty of the ocean with visitors. Sadly, that wasn’t the case. I found myself sitting around for months, learning to cook better, binge-watching Netflix, catching up with friends, and getting lost in YouTube rabbit holes—all while waiting for things to return to normal. My favorite part of the day was our morning scuba dive that was permissible as essential exercise as long as we didn't dwell on the beach while getting in and out.
Eventually, I realized that this pandemic wasn’t going to end anytime soon. So, I decided to get up, dust myself off, and go back to doing what I love most: SHARING MY LOVE FOR THE OCEAN WITH YOU!
Now, obviously, I can’t go back to my previous job—there simply isn’t one right now. Instead, I turned to the one thing that has kept my mind active and entertained during these months: the internet!
I wanted to create a name for this endeavor that was unique, memorable, and meaningful to our topic and location. After much deliberation, I settled on Kaimana Conservation. In Hawaiian, Kaimana means “strength of the ocean.” This name perfectly encapsulates what I’ve experienced here in Maui, where we witness the ocean’s immense power, amazing biodiversity, and incredible fragility every day.
I believe that only when you love something will you be motivated to protect it. That’s why I’m starting this brand—a blog and a YouTube channel—to take you along on amazing ocean adventures, raise awareness about ocean conservation from a scientific perspective, and inspire you to ‘make waves of change’ in your own lives.
If you’re passionate about ocean conservation and want to learn more, be sure to check out our upcoming content for insights, tips, and stories that will deepen your connection to the ocean. You can also explore our online courses and digital resources designed to support your conservation journey and help protect our marine ecosystems. Join us in making waves for a healthier ocean—your adventure starts here!
LET’S DIVE IN!
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