Categories

Monika Mira is a UH Hilo grad and long time Hawaii resident. She is also an avid conservationist who has worked on numerous projects to help conserve Hawaii’s natural resources. Some of her experience includes: teaching marine science, conducting biological stream surveys, co-authoring a watershed restoration plan for the Nawiliwili Watershed and most recently, working as the conservation specialist for the Kauai Soil & Water Conservation Districts.

Monika’s first love however, has always been art. She has been painting and drawing since she can remember. The Complete Hawaiian Reef Fish Coloring Book offered her the perfect opportunity to combine her talents.

Thank you Monika for answering a few questions for us!  Please tell us about your latest project.

The Complete Hawaiian Reef Fish Coloring Book is my latest release. My most recent project however, is being mommy to my wonderful 2 year old. What a joy! Back to the book… Imagine a coloring book that teaches children how to identify over 80 species of reef fishes! The Complete Hawaiian Reef Fish Coloring Book includes over 200 colorable illustrations that will not only help them learn how to identify each fish, but also teach them about their anatomical features, coloration, body designs, feeding habits and reproductive strategies.

Each illustration is accompanied by a complete description of the fish including the common, scientific, and Hawaiian names. In addition, an overview of coral reef ecology has been provided to help the reader understand the relationship between the fishes and the coral reef. Children and adults of all ages will find this book to be an invaluable source of information about Hawaii’s reef fishes. In fact, this book is recommended by conservation organization, Save our Seas for use in Hawaii’s classrooms. As such, it is now being used as a textbook across the state of Hawaii and even in some mainland schools. For more info, please check out my website at lucid-hawaii.com.

What inspired you to write a coloring textbook about Hawaiian fish?

When I worked as a volunteer at Hanauma Bay many years ago I had to learn to identify all these fish. I found that it helped me learn if I drew or painted the fish. So I carried that idea forward into this book. The volunteer experience inspired me to take better care of our environment and I hope to inspire the children who read my book to do the same. Also, when I was in college, there was a research and monitoring program that required the students to learn to identify these same fish. It is sometimes difficult to learn all the fish by sight alone, but the coloring activity really seems to help.

Is this book being used in classrooms?

Yes, this book is being used as a textbook in classrooms around the state. I even have teachers getting copies from Arizona, Texas, California, Washington & Oregon. Teachers use different parts of the book for different purposes. As a result, they have been able to use it in all grades from K-12!

This book is unique. What is your educational philosophy?

I believe in a multisensory approach to learning. My 2 year old has really brought this idea home to me. Multisensory learning triples the number of connections made in the brain, as opposed to straight listening and seeing in a classroom setting. This really makes learning a lot easier. If the book is being used in a classroom, the children read and hear about the fish. Memory is enhanced when they also get to color them in. Plus it is fun and creative.

What kind of other works have you had published?

On the writing end, most of my other works have been more technical types of papers, like watershed restoration plans or articles about green energy in Hawaii, or other environmental issues. On the art side, I have dabbled in watercolor (see the gallery at www.lucid-hawaii.com), greeting cards, children’s colorable menus, T-shirts and illustrations for newsletters.

Do you also do speaking engagements, or seminars?

I do school visits where we use the fish from the book to build a coral reef mural on the wall. Depending on the age and ability of the students, we may do other projects like gyotaku (fish printing), seaweed pressing, reef walks and or beach cleanups. All my school visits are accompanied by a talk about the biology and ecology of the fishes and the importance of conserving our coral reefs. I also do fish identification slideshow presentations and workshops.

How do you get in touch with your readers directly?

I offer free coloring sheets from my book to restaurants, schools, and conservation organizations (these may be in places that I also work and can interact with the kids and their parents directly). I also offer fish identification workshops and reef walks at the beach. The school visits often accompany a coloring contest where I can have more direct interaction with my readers.

What will your next project be?

I have 2 projects I’m working on simultaneously. First I am working on an a Hawaiian insect coloring book, many of our Hawaiian Insects are rare or threatened, so I want to provide a fun way to educate children about them….Then I’m going in a whole different direction. Since the birth of my child, early childhood development has become very important to me. I taught my baby sign language, so that we could communicate before he could talk and he could get his needs met.

Sign language helps with a number of different aspects related to early language development and it can also be used to convert standard learning styles into multisensory learning experiences. A multisensory approach to learning can triple the number of connections made in the brain, enhancing memory and making the whole learning process more efficient…and it’s a lot of fun! Can you tell I’m excited and passionate about this?  So I will be working on a number of different projects from DVDs to books to help promote this learning style. Please see my website and blog for more info as it emerges. blossominglittleminds.com and babysigninghawaii.blogspot.com.

Who inspires you on a personal or business level?

My 2 year old. He inspires me to be the best that I can be (I’m not sure I know what that is exactly, but I keep trying to better myself and learn from my mistakes so I can be a better mommy & a better writer and a better business person). I’ve got to at least try to set an example.

What type of work is the most rewarding or satisfying for you?

When I can inspire others to take action, it is very rewarding. For example, children that learn about Hawaiian fishes and the coral reef often get inspired to do a study, participate in a beach cleanup, become a scientist, inform others about conservation issues. This is rewarding! This is also what I am finding with sign language and early learning. Families are building closer bonds by using baby sign language, students are having an easier time learning when their learning approach is multi-sensory. So if I can make a difference for the planet (environmentally) or for a child…this is very rewarding!

What can you recommend for writers or artists who are just getting started and are trying to make a name for themselves?

I am still trying to figure this one out myself. But I can offer this. Do what you love, don’t try to figure out everything all at once. Write or paint what you love and you will be a happier person. Eventually, all the other stuff will come, and you will be recognized for sharing your passion with others.

Which is your favorite book/work published? Is there a favorite?

Well, in literature I am a BIG fan of Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal Dreams & Prodigal Summer…but I think I like her because of her background in biology. I also love Ray Troll’s Planet Ocean, it’s so weird & I love the illustrations and it’s also biology based.

Finally, a most important question: what was the last song you sang out loud when you were by yourself?  :)

Even though I was by myself, it was probably “wheels on the bus” because it kept going round and round in my brain…Oh wait a minute…I have a 2 year old. I am never by myself!

Thank you Monika! We wish you great success with your latest release The Complete Hawaiian Reef Fish Coloring Book!