Coronado Celebrates Ocean Conservation at ‘An Evening of Aloha’

Categories: CharityCommunityConcertsEvents/What's HappeningNews

Community members gathered at the Nautilus Room to celebrate and support ocean conservation efforts.

News Summary

On April 24, 2025, Coronado held ‘An Evening of Aloha’ at the Community Center, uniting around 120 attendees to support ocean conservation. Highlighted by local artist Tina Christiansen receiving the first ‘Emerald Keeper of the Year’ award, the evening featured cultural tributes, silent and live auctions showcasing artists’ work, and performances from the Mahana Dance Company. Organized by Emerald Keepers, the event aimed to bolster environmental initiatives, particularly in solar energy, benefiting local educational projects.

Coronado – On Thursday, April 24, 2025, the community gathered for “An Evening of Aloha” at the Nautilus Room of the Coronado Community Center to celebrate ocean conservation and sustainability. Organized by Emerald Keepers, this benefit and auction event attracted approximately 120 attendees who came together to advocate for the health of the ocean.

The evening was an opportunity to honor local artist Tina Christiansen, who was recognized as the first Emerald Keeper of the Year for her unwavering dedication to environmental causes and her strong advocacy for cleaner ocean waters. Christiansen has actively participated in city council meetings, voicing concerns over clean water and the need to reduce single-use plastics.

Eileen Hauser, vice president of Emerald Keepers, and Development Director Janet Thoms were the event’s organizers. The evening was highlighted with a deep sense of community as Kali Lindsay, president of Emerald Keepers, praised Christiansen’s positive impact on public awareness regarding ocean issues.

Event Highlights

Emceed by John Weisbarth, the event included a strong cultural element with acknowledgments of the Kumeyaay Nation and honors to the Hawaiian people, enriching the theme of the evening, “malama i ke kai,” which translates to “care for the ocean” in Hawaiian.

The program featured both silent and live auctions showcasing artwork from various esteemed artists, including Robert Wyland, Teresa Espaniola, Ana Violeta Horta, Karrie Jackson, Wendy Kleine, Luciano Mancilla, Matt Swinden, and John Wadleigh. The contribution of these artists played a pivotal role in the event’s fundraising efforts aimed at supporting environmental initiatives.

Additionally, the entertainment was provided by the Mahana Dance Company, which delivered a vibrant performance that further encapsulated the island spirit of the evening. Guests enjoyed a selection of island-style appetizers and a buffet as part of the festivities, enhancing the festive atmosphere of the event.

Mission and Fundraising Goals

Funds raised during “An Evening of Aloha” directly support Emerald Keepers’ mission focused on environmental stewardship and sustainability, with particular emphasis on investing in solar energy initiatives. Emerald Keepers is recognized as Coronado’s only civic nonprofit organization dedicated solely to addressing local environmental needs.

In a significant highlight of the evening, a “raise-the-paddle” segment was conducted to gather seed money for solar energy projects, specifically in collaboration with the Coronado Unified School District. This initiative is aimed at enhancing sustainable practices within local educational institutions.

Acknowledgments

The event concluded with expressions of gratitude directed toward all artists, attendees, donors, sponsors, and volunteers, whose contributions were crucial to the success of the evening. The collective commitment demonstrated at the event underscored the community’s dedication to ensuring Coronado remains “Emerald Green, Ocean Blue.”

Founder Amy Steward, although unable to attend due to her representation of Coronado at the Cal Cities Leadership Summit in Sacramento, was acknowledged for her foundational role in the organization.

Further Information

For those interested in learning more about Emerald Keepers and its mission, membership details are available on their website. Continued community involvement is crucial as everyone works together toward a sustainable future and continued ocean conservation.