Adopt a Leafy Sea Dragon:

Leafy sea dragons are a rare animal found in Southern Australia. The government of Australia allows one permit once a year for one pregnant male. The male will give birth to 30-50 live baby dragons on average. These are sold to aquariums for educational exhibition all over the world. The cost is 5-10,000 each. The Leafy Sea dragon displays are considered to be one of the greatest revenue generators for public aquariums. These fish are as magical as a Van Gough painting.

Our objective here is to breed these gorgeous Leafy sea dragons here to eliminate the need to take them out of the wild. Captive-bred dragons will also live a longer more vibrant life as they will be well adapted to life in an aquarium where people want to take their picture and gaze into their eyes! The Seahorse Hawaii Foundation is the home of the oldest known living pair of Leafy sea dragons that lived for almost 13 years. You can see pictures of them mating on our website…click here »

We are looking for an annual contribution of $65,000 to maintain this program. This will allow us to purchase 5 Leafy Sea dragons and 5 weedy sea dragons each year to maintain genetic diversity in our breeding program since each year the group will have a genetically distinct father. We are grateful for our contributors for the 2018 season who donated $50,000 for the purchase of 5 Leafy sea dragons and 4 Weedy sea dragons and previous donors who purchased our large dragon breeding tank.

CLICK HERE TO MAKE AN ONLINE DONATION FOR ADOPT A LEAFY SEA DRAGON!

Adopt a Seahorse:

Help us repopulate West Hawaii, Fiji and Tonga with their own native and endemic seahorses into marine protected areas so one day we can enjoy them in their natural habitat! This program requires annual funding of 45,000 to collect the endemic seahorses, bring them back to the Seahorse Farm for breeding, and then release the offspring into established marine protected areas.

CLICK HERE TO MAKE AN ONLINE DONATION FOR ADOPT A SEAHORSE!

Mahalo, Carol Cozzi-Schmarr,
President Seahorse Hawaii Foundation

The Seahorse Hawaii Foundation is a 501(c) 3 organization with Federal I.D. number is 20 5592772.
Visit us at seahorse.com and watch the award-wining documentary ‘A Different Kind of Farm’

Seahorse Hawaii Foundation was incorporated under the laws of Hawaii on 09/14/2006 ; that it is an existing nonprofit corporation; and that, as far as the records of this Department reveal, has complied with all of the provisions of the Hawaii Nonprofit Corporations Act, regulating domestic nonprofit corporations.

Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Click Here to View Certificate (PDF)

To check the authenticity of this certificate, please visit:
http://hbe.ehawaii.gov/documents/authenticate.html
Authentication Code: 255427-COGS_PDF-216843D2

We believe that the following projects will make a significant impact in saving the seahorse and the coral reefs where they live. We invite you to be a part of these earth changing, grass roots projects now by making a tax free contribution to the Seahorse Hawaii Foundation a 501 ( c ) 3 public charity with Federal EIN # 20-5592772 and State of Hawaii Tax ID # W37503643. All contributions are welcome and are tax deductible.

Surfing for Seahorse Program feeds local surfing and ocean oriented children chili and rice at Banyans surf break in Kona on Wednesdays. This program is designed to inspire children to be educated stewards of our ocean through hands on marine educational activities such as reef walks, helping to build awareness of local marine conservation and coral reef issues. This program requires funding of $1000 per month. We would like to expand this program to beach communities everywhere.

The Adopt A Sea Dragon Program focuses on the continued habitat improvement here at the farm for the leafy and weedy sea dragons. Our eight year leafy Sea Dragons are now in their new habitat (tank) gifted to us by the Heidrich family which is 7 feet deep and 15 feet wide! We hope to add a roof, photoperiod control and additional dragons to this new habitat. The off spring will be sold to public aquariums as an alternative to wild caught specimens preserving the wild sea dragon populations. Our goal is to raise $50,000 for these improvements. The successful breeding of the Sea Dragons will fund the Seahorse Hawaii Foundation programs well into the future!

The Adopt a Seahorse Program is dedicated to releasing seahorses in Marine Protected Areas (MPA’s) in West Hawaii, Tavarua, Fiji and Vava u, Tonga. The Hawaii Fisheries Act now protects seahorses in West Hawaii, which is the only place in the Hawaiian Islands where the seahorses are protected. The King of Tonga have gifted an entire island and the surrounding reef to our Seahorse Hawaii Foundation Director, Puaita Pulotu, to create a model Marine Protected Area. In Tavarua, we are working with children from Hawaii and Fiji together with Fijian Elders and Tavarua Resort owners to inspire marine stewardship through the re- establishment of the native seahorse into the MPA surrounding this world famous surf resort, becoming a model for other ocean communities. Our goal is to raise $20,000 annually for this restocking program.

Adopt an Island! Help us protect the pristine underwater world around the island of Fu uamotu in Vava u, Tonga. Just like protecting the rain forest on land, the reefs are the lungs of the ocean and need our urgent help and protection. This protected area will serve as a wild nursery ground for re-seeding nearby reefs that have been heavily stripped for food by local communities, foreign countries, poachers and aquarium collectors. This reserve will be a save home to coral, turtles, giant clams, seahorses, sea cucumbers, ornamental and predatory fish. The island will have a world class green eco-lodge and research center. This project will serve as an example to the children of our world on how to be good stewards of our ocean. Our goal is to raise $100,000 in 2015 to kick start the project.

The Adopt a Reef Fish Program is to produce the first yellow tang in captivity to demonstrate that the farming of yellow tangs is a real alternative to the wild caught yellow tang fishery here in Kona. Success will lead to the end of this wild fishery forever, helping to restore our reefs here in Hawaii to the pristine state they were 100 years ago. Our kick start amount is $50,000.The commercial culturing of the yellow tang will fund all the Seahorse Hawaii Foundation program for years into the future.

Mahalo for your support

• Carol Cozzi-Schmarr, Founder/President of the Seahorse Hawaii Foundation
• Board of Directors: Puaita Pulotu, Yuan Wang, Dr. Dale Sarver, Craig Schmarr, Dr. Clyde Tamaru

The Seahorse Hawaii Foundation is dedicated to saving the Art of the Sea through the creation of marine reserves and the propagation and release of seahorses and sea dragons. We believe that these projects will make a significant impact in saving our ocean. We invite you to be a part of these earth changing, grass roots projects now by making a tax free contribution to the Seahorse Hawaii Foundation a 501 ( c ) 3 public charity with Federal EIN # 20-5592772 and State of Hawaii Tax ID # W37503643. All contributions of all sizes are welcome and are tax deductible.

The Adopt A Sea Dragon Program focuses on breeding the Australian Leafy and Weedy Sea Dragon. The off spring will be sold to public aquariums for their educational displays as an alternative to wild caught specimens helping to keep our wild dragon populations healthy. Revenue from the sale of these dragons will support the Seahorse Hawaii Foundation programs. Our breeding Leafy Sea Dragons are 8 years old this year! They are now in their new home gifted to us by the Heidrich family which is 7 feet deep and 15 feet wide! They are happy here and the mating dance has begun! We hope to be proud parents soon! It is our goal to raise $20,000 in 2015 for Sea Dragon habitat improvement and genetic diversification (purchase of additional breeders).

The Adopt a Seahorse Program is dedicated to releasing Hippocampus kuda seahorses in Marine Protected Areas in West Hawaii, Tavarua, Fiji and Vava u, Tonga. The Hawaii Fisheries Act now protects seahorses in West Hawaii, which is the only place in the Hawaiian Islands where the seahorses are protected. The King of Tonga have gifted an entire island and the surrounding reef to our Seahorse Hawaii Foundation Director Puaita Pulotu to create a model Marine Protected Area. In Tavarua, we are working with children from Hawaii, Fijian Elders and Tavarua Resort owners to teach marine stewardship through the re- establishment of the native seahorse into the waters surrounding this world famous surf resort. These marine protected areas will allow the coral reef to return to its natural pristine state so it will become a productive breeding and nursery grounds for near by reefs acting as a model for other ocean communities. Our goal for 2015 is to raise $20,000.

The 2015 goal for the Adopt a Reef Fish Program is to produce the first yellow tang in captivity to demonstrate that the farming of yellow tangs is a real alternative to the wild caught yellow tang fishery here in Kona. Success will lead to the end of this wild fishery forever, helping to restore our reefs to the pristine state they were 100 years ago. Our goal is to raise $20,000 in 2015.

Adopt an Island in Tonga! Help us protect the pristine underwater world around the island of Fu uamotu in Vava u, Tonga. Just like protecting the rain forest on land, the reefs are the lungs of the ocean and need our urgent help and protection. This protected area will serve as a wild nursery ground for re-seeding near by reefs that have been heavily stripped for food by local communities, foreign countries, poachers and aquarium collectors. This reserve will be a save home to coral, turtles, giant clams, seahorses, sea cucumbers, ornamental and predatory fish. The island will have a world class eco-lodge and research center. This project will serve as an example to the children of our world on how to be a good steward of our ocean. Our goal is to raise $10,000 for 2015.

Mahalo for your support

• Carol Cozzi-Schmarr, Founder/President, Seahorse Hawaii Foundation
• Board of Directors: Puaita Pulotu, Yuan Wang, Dr. Dale Sarver, Craig Schmarr, Dr. Clyde Tamaru

Sea horses were once very common in sea grass beds and coral reefs around the world. Today they are on the edge of extinction. The Seahorse Hawaii Foundation is dedicated to saving the seahorses and the coral reefs where they live through education, propagation, the creation of marine reserves and finally, the release of seahorses back in to the wild. Seahorses inspire curiosity and love of the ocean. Surfers love the ocean and are natural good will ambassadors for protecting our marine environment. Children, inspired through curiosity and love of the ocean as they surf, swim, dive and play in the ocean are our best candidates to be future stewards of the ocean that we all love so much.

Our Adopt a Seahorse and Junior Seahorse Ambassador programs are dedicated to educating children about marine stewardship. Our hope is that as children surf the waves created by the coral reefs and beaches in their own back yard, and around the world, they will be inspired to protect the ocean while teaching others about its’ incredible beauty and importance to our planet.

Seven children from Kona have been selected for this program. They have gone through a unique marine workshop over the period of several months here in Kona, Hawaii with Puaita Pulotu, a true Hawaiian waterman. This unique interactive, outdoor, ocean program includes the study of Hawaiian and Oceania culture, ocean water safety, surfing, the study of seahorses, corals, and the complex coastal marine ecosystems and how those areas are affected by what we do on land. These children have become inspired to “malma” or protect our ocean.

The Junior Seahorse Ambassadors will be sharing the message of marine stewardship with 12 children from the near by villages of Tavarua, Fiji from May 16-24th, 2014, at Tavarua Island Resort. Through surfing, snorkeling, and ocean games combined with the release of seahorses, the creation of coral and giant clam gardens, and the sharing of knowledge from their elders, our hope is that these Fijian and Hawaii children will become inspired to become marine stewards of their local reef and reefs around the world.

Today, more than ever, our coral reefs, which are the oceans’ nursery grounds, are under attack. Just like protecting the rain forest on land, the reefs are the lungs of the ocean and need our urgent help and protection. As our global population tops 71/2 billion, pollution, habitat destruction, ocean acidification, and over fishing are worse than ever. We have taken 90 % of our fish out of the ocean in the last 50 years and our coral reefs are expected to disappear forever within the next 30 years if we do not do something now. Scientist believe that if we can put 20% of our ocean into marine reserves we have a chance at saving our ocean. Today we have less than 1 % in marine reserves and .6% of that is the North Western Hawaiian Islands.

We have to do more. We each need to find a way to make a difference. We believe that this project will make a significant impact in saving our ocean and protecting our coral reefs around the world. We invite you to be a part of this earth changing, grass roots project now by making a tax free contribution to the Seahorse Hawaii Foundation a 501(c)3 public charity with Federal EIN # 20-5592772 and State of Hawaii Tax ID # W37503643.

We are looking for cash contributions as well as mask and snorkels, dental supplies, school supplies and clean drinking water systems for the children. Please contact Carol or go to seahorsehawaii.org to find out more ways to get involved in this ongoing marine educational program for the children. Our next program will be to Tonga in the Fall of 2014 and again to Tavarua in May of 2015. We are looking for sponsors and junior seahorse ambassadors!

Mahalo for your support

• Carol Cozzi-Schmarr, Founder/President, Seahorse Hawaii Foundation

Board of Directors:

• Carol Cozzi-Schmarr, Director/President/Founder (Marine Biologist)
• Dr. Clyde Tamaru, Director ( Doctorate of Fish Physiology., Tokyo University
• Darlene McKellar, Director ( Business Associate)
• Craig P Schmarr: Director (Marine Biologists)
• Allen M. Arakaki, CPA, Founding attorney: Brian I. Ezuka
• Yuan Wang, Director ( Marine Biologist and Business Associate)
• Puaita Pulotu, Director: Waterman and Expert in Polynesia Oceania

We would like to thank our sponsors which include:

• All contributors to The Seahorse Hawaii Foundation
• Shane Dorian Keiki Surf Class
• GoodOnYa Bars
• Tavarua Island Resort

We would like to give special thanks to Virginia and Rick Isbell for their supportive and inspirational visions and Puaita Pulotu for being the life guard and mentor to the children.

The Seahorse Hawaii Foundation is dedicated to saving the Art of the Sea through education, ocean conservation and propagation of the highly endangered Seahorses and Sea Dragons. Our mission is to maintain a living gene bank of all 36 species of Seahorses and both species of Sea Dragons for breeding, display, and release back into their protected natural habitat.

In order to achieve our goals, we need to purchase taller tanks for our sea dragons and additional Sea Dragons from Australia in order to diversify our gene pool. We also would like to acquire approximately 15 additional species of seahorses from various parts of the world in order to complete our living gene bank which currently consists of 20 species.

Today, more then ever, our coral reefs, the nursery grounds for the animals of the ocean, are under attack. As our global population tops 7 billion, pollution, habitat destruction, ocean acidification, and over fishing are worse then ever. We have taken 90% of our fish out of the ocean in the last 50 years and our coral reefs are expected to disappear forever within the next 50 years if we do not do something now.

Scientist believe that if we can put 20% of our ocean into marine reserves we have a chance at saving our ocean. Today we have 1% in marine reserves and.6% of that is the North Western Hawaiian Islands. In order to safely release selected populations of seahorses back into their natural habitats where they were once common we have to create marine protected areas. We hope to do this with out first release of seahorses this year in Hawaii, Tonga and Fiji.

We believe that these projects will make a significant contribution in protecting our coral reefs and the animals that live there. We invite you to be a part of this earth changing, grass roots project now by making a tax free contribution to the Seahorse Hawaii Foundation a 501 ( c ) 3 organization with Federal EIN # 20-5592772 and State of Hawaii Tax ID # W37503643.

Mahalo for your support

•     Carol Cozzi-Schmarr, Founder/President, Seahorse Hawaii Foundation

Board of Directors:

•     Carol Cozzi-Schmarr, Director/President/Founder (Marine Biologist)
•     Dr. Clyde Tamaru, Director ( Doctorate of Fish Physiology., Tokyo University
•     Darlene McKellar, Director ( Business Associate)
•     Craig P Schmarr: Director (Marine Biologists)
•     Allen M. Arakaki, CPA, Founding attorney: Brian I. Ezuka
•     Yuan Wang, Director ( Marine Biologist and Business Associate)
•     Puaita Pulotu, Director: Waterman and Expert in Polynesia Oceania