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The University of Hawai'i at Mānoa Marine Option Program, which has been established at UH for nearly forty years, is being considered for possible consolidation with the marine biology and the biology program.
It was reported last month that the Marine Option Program (MOP) was one of 33 programs under review for possible elimination. However, Alan Teramura, dean of the college of natural sciences, said at the time that was reported the recommendations were in the early stages of the review process, and that the chancellor's advisory committee, which is higher up in the review process, is now considering merging the MOP program with the biology program.
"I can guarantee you that we are not going to eliminate the Marine Option Program," Teramura said.
According to Jeffrey Kuwabara, one of the Marine Option Program's counselors, the MOP is operating on a $30,000 budget exclusive of employees' salaries. With outside funding from the Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the program managed to remain safe from elimination at least until 2010.
"We're already running, in my opinion, on low fat ... if you trim any more you're cutting into the muscle (then) into the bone. We're on a bare-bones budget here," said Jeffrey Kuwabara, one of the many program coordinators struggling to keep their programs alive.
The Marine Option Program is growing steadily at the UH Mānoa campus as it continues to provide a newsletter (Seawords), scholarships,internships, a maritime archaeology field school, and other ocean-related opportunities to undergraduates. MOP has often been confused as a marine biology minor but has become an alternative to literally test the waters. Students experience hands-on aquatic-related projects based on their primary academic interests, whether it be art, history, ethnic studies, anthropology or philosophy. Kuwabara said this gives students a "chance to pursue a profession with open eyes" as opposed to pursuing a degree path that does not give as much insight as hands-on learning.
Program supporters believe that a marine-science related certificate can be applied to different disciplines. Examples of this can be found with past students such as Susan Scott, a journalist for the Star-Bulletin who provides insight on Hawai'i's oceans and has written numerous marine-related books, and Ellen Tong, a marine artist whose educational fish posters lend a unique visual perspective to marine wildlife species.
The Marine Option Program has demonstrated success, with nearly half of the Division of Aquatic Resources employees as MOP alumni. MOP also has a strong presence in NOAA (National Oceanic Atmosphere Administration).
Kuwabara has high hopes for MOP.
"We're looking for long-term funding. (The Marine Option Program) is hoping that the UH administration will see the value of this program (by 2010) and decides to fully fund us again," he said.
As the Marine Option Program literally takes a diving chance, many of its supporters are hoping that the program lands safely and will be sustained to spread awareness of the ocean. MOP strongly believes that within every discipline the ocean should always be taken in account because Hawai'i is an island state surrounded by the ocean.
