Inspiring Youth for Years to Come at the Mokupāpapa Discovery Center

10-year-old Mary's Drawing of Kala, Bluespine Unicorn Fish, which was given by Mary to Etta Karth, Mokupāpapa Discovery Center Program Associate

By: Etta Karth, Mokupāpapa Discovery Center Program Associate

One beautiful sunny day while working at the Mokupāpapa Discovery Center (MDC), I was fortunate enough to have a young ocean and fish lover named Mary, a 10-year-old from Michigan, strike up a conversation about our fish, specifically the Bluespine Unicorn Fish, or Kala, as he is called in Hawaiian. To my surprise, a few days later, during our Aloha A Hui Ho Kala party, I had Mary sneak up on me, wearing a bright and beautifully colored Kala hat. It was a busy day, but I was again lucky enough to spend time with my new friend as we both are so fond of Kala, and will miss him when he moves to the sunny Kona coast. Mary brought her grandmother back to MDC one last time to give me a picture of Kala, so I wouldn't forget her. I was again, touched, and felt lucky to have met her. I am more than lucky to work with such wonderful people and organizations, and hope to continue to inspire our youth in years to come.