Gliding blissfully under the sea's surface, manta rays are some of Hawaiʻi's most fascinating and beautiful underwater inhabitants. And to coincide with World Manta Day on Sep. 17, the Have Aloha Will Travel crew has invited Keller Laros on to discuss everything manta.
Famously known for his YouTube video documenting a bottlenose dolphin asking for his assistance to remove fishing line from its wound, which has garnered over 22 million views, Laros's true passion is observing, recording and getting to know the mantas that call the Hawaiian Islands home. Starting the Manta Pacific Research Foundation in 2002, the nonprofit's main goal is to study manta rays in their natural habitat, conduct scientific research, provide education programs for the public about manta rays and the marine environment and to establish and promote global manta ray conservation.