Aquarium Accolades Fall 2023

Three impressive individuals were recognized at Aquarium events for their community service and leadership.

Credit: Aquarium of the Pacific/Robin Riggs

September 12, 2023

Aquarium Accolades Fall 2023

Two women holding framed photo in front of exhibit

Jewels with Alyssa Pacaut, Aquarium director of membership Credit: Aquarium of the Pacific

Pride Night

At Pride Night the Aquarium honored Jewels with the Heritage Award. Jewels has entertained, inspired, and supported the Long Beach community for more than 20 years. She strives to ensure everyone who visits Long Beach feels welcomed, loved, and entertained. In 2011 Jewels was recognized as the Steward of the Second District. A year later, her community work was recognized in the Long Beach Post’s 40 Under 40. The Long Beach Gay & Lesbian Pride organization selected Jewels as its 30th anniversary Community Grand Marshal. She received the key to the City of Long Beach in 2019.

Two women holding framed award next to podium

Teen Climate Council Member Marivi Vergara with Julie Darrell Credit: Aquarium of the Pacific

Teen Climate Fest

During the Teen Climate Fest on Earth Day, the Teen Climate Council awarded Julie Darrell the Corrinne Monroe Heritage Award. Darrell is the founder of BYO Long Beach with four locations. After reading Zero Waste Home by Bea Johnson, Darrell started her Instagram page in early 2017 to inspire people to make differences in their lifestyle for the betterment of the environment. Darrell’s first pop-up shop was at the end of August 2017 to support the Long Beach community to live more environmentally friendly. BYO Long Beach’s goal is to reduce trash consumption and focus on reusable alternatives.

Aquarium Director of Membership Alyssa Pacaut with Audrey Kawaiopua Alo Credit: Aquarium of the Pacific

Pacific Islander Festival

This year at the Pacific Islander Festival, the Aquarium awarded the Heritage Award to Audrey Kawaiopua Alo. As the director of the Pacific Islander Health Partnership, Kawaiopua Alo has been an important leader in making sure native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders have health equity and wellness. At the same time, she has helped represent Samoan and Hawaiian cultures as well as bring others together to share their origins in Oceania. Kawaiopua Alo serves on the board of directors for Le GaFa, an organization dedicated to providing leadership and education through gagana or language and fa’a Samoa or the way of Samoa.