Here on Maui, there are plenty of things that vacationers can do for fun, from beach outings to dining experiences to a very long list of activities. Most of these options are available all year round, but some things come and go. For example, the Maui Arts & Cultural Center (MACC) is hosting the new exhibit "Spineless: Portraits of Marine Invertebrates: the Backbone of Life." If you enjoy art or marine life or both, you may want to swing by to see what the artist has on display.

Susan Middleton is an acclaimed photographer who has garnered a great deal of popularity through her past exhibits, including "Archipelago" and "Remains of a Rainbow." Whatever draws Susan's eye is sure to be presented in a fascinating and intimate light. This time, she's set her sights on marine invertebrates, meaning underwater creatures with no spines. Think octopus, squid, crab, shrimp and a host of other creatures. Considering that over 98% of the ocean's known species are invertebrates, it should be interesting to see which of them caught Susan's eye for her photographs.

She certainly chose an interesting set of subjects, although we may be biased, considering that we operate snorkeling tours to Molokini and Lanai. That being said, invertebrates have become quite popular in recent years, thanks to a growing public interest in the ocean in terms of both science and popular works of fiction. In fact, depictions of the octopus have even filtered into the fashion world.

While fads come and go, some of us have an enduring passion for the marine world and all its inhabitants. If that includes you or anyone traveling with you, take some time to swing by the MACC. It could be especially convenient if you're planning to go see one of their shows or performances the same day. In fact, if you're on a family vacation with your kids, they might check out the photographs at the exhibit in conjunction with Observe and Play Family Day, an opportunity for them to craft a sea creature of their own to take home. Admission is free, and conveniently, both are both held in the Schaefer International Gallery.

The Spineless exhibit will open on August 6th, and will remain at the gallery until October 1st, 2017. Observe and Play Family Day will be held on Saturday, August 26th from 10am to 12pm in the same location. You can find out more about both by visiting mauiarts.org. If you'd like to find out more details about our Maui ocean tours, you'll find our contact information at the bottom of the page. Mahalo!