Voice of the Sea, Hosted by Kaua‘i’s Kanesa Seraphin

Arc-eye Hawkfish. Photo courtesy of Jeff Kuwabara

Every Sunday night from the comfort of their living rooms audiences can hear the Voice of the Sea, hosted by Kaua‘i resident Kanesa Seraphin, a professor in the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Education’s Curriculum Research and Development Group, director of the UH Sea Grant College Program’s Center for Marine Science Education, and eight-time paddleboard world champion.

Viewers of this popular, half-hour weekly television series are transported throughout the state and across the Pacific to meet extraordinary people who reveal what the ocean tells them, as reported by UH.

Voice of the Sea airs at 6 p.m. on Sundays in Hawaiʻi on K5 The Home Team. The program’s collection of knowledge features more than one hundred prominent scientists, cutting edge researchers and traditional knowledge experts who have shared the intimate details of their life’s work.

Voice of the Sea is doing important work in the community and making a positive contribution to the future of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific islands, according to UH. In 60 episodes thus far, Seraphin has provided viewers with the blueprints for reviving and solidifying the deep connection with the ocean.

Lantern Fish. Photo courtesy of Jeff Drazen

Voice of the Sea episodes have passed one million views on television according to marketing data compiled by partner TV station KFVE, and online viewership is growing as well.

“I’m so proud of the stories we’ve told and how the show has grown,” said Seraphin, adding they have covered important research about coastal erosion, ocean acidification, the rise of macroalgae and the deep-sea food web. “We’ve profiled traditional experts sharing knowledge that was once secret, including wayfinding aboard the Hōkūleʻa, fishing practices in Palau and Tahiti, the cultural and conservation practices of Samoa and cancer research using cone snail venom in Guam.”

In recognition of the show’s level of excellence, Voice of the Sea has been awarded 11 Telly Awards, which are the premier television awards honoring excellence in regional programming.

Voice of the Sea motivates community members to become involved and create a cohesive, vibrant community. As a signature project of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant’s Center for Marine Science Education, it aims to encourage students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. The show connects viewers with scientists and cultural experts, inspiring all to become the next generation of leaders in the community. Voice of the Sea promotes an interest in ocean science and teaches concepts that apply to viewers’ lives, while at the same time breaking down misconceptions and enhancing understanding of who ocean researchers are and what they do each day.

For more information and to view full episodes, visit the Voice of the Sea website. To contact Seraphin directly, email Kanesa@hawaii.edu or call (808) 225-1753.