Want to learn more about the "Yellowstone of the Sea," otherwise known as Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands?

Andy Collins, an NWHI education coordinator, will talk about the far-flung haven for millions of seabirds and coral reefs, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at ING Direct Cafe in Waikīkī. The free event is part of the ongoing National Treasures of Hawai'i lecture series, sponsored by the Hawai'i Conservation Alliance and ING.

Collins began working for the monument area shortly after President Clinton created the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve in 2001. He is also a founding member of the Navigating Change educational partnership, which explores comparisons between NWHI and our compromised reefs in the main Hawaiian Islands.

ENDANGERED SPECIES DAY

FOCUS IS ON NATIVE HAWAIIAN PLANTS

Lyon Arboretum will mark Endangered Species Day in mid-May with a photo contest focusing on images of native Hawaiian plants.

Entries, due by May 3, must spotlight a native plant species. Also, they must be original, unpublished photographs, submitted as color or black-and-white prints.

The contest's divisions: second- to fifth-grade students; sixth to eighth grade; ninth to 12th grade; and age 18 and older. Entries will be judged by Lyon Arboretum staff, volunteers and visitors. Photographs will remain on display throughout May.

Endangered Species Day, May 15, will be part of a weeklong event at the arboretum that also includes a celebration of National Public Gardens Day, May 7.

Get contest entry and caption forms at www.hawaii.edu/lyonarboretum. For additional information, call 988-0461.

— Maureen O'Connell