April 9, 2015—The West Hawai‘i Marine Mammal Response Network (WHMMRN) is encouraging community members to sign up to become volunteers. A free training session for new volunteers, will be offered from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, April 9, in Kailua-Kona.

The “Monk Seal 101” training will be facilitated by Mimi Olry, veterinarian and field coordinator with Kaua‘i Marine Mammal Response, and Earl Miyamoto, coordinator of the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Marine Wildlife Program. This is an introductory course for new volunteers and a refresher for current volunteers.

Miyamoto will also introduce the Barbless Circle Hook Program, a state-run program that promotes the use of these hooks to reduce the severity of injuries to fish and any protected species hooked accidentally.

For more information, location, and to sign up for the volunteer training, contact Cindi Punihaole by Monday, April 6, at cpunihaole@kohalacenter.org or 808-895-1010.