HONOLULU, OAHU, HAWAII -- Visitors walking through the lobby of the Outrigger Reef Hotel in Waikiki will now have access to one of the most unique sources of information on Hawaii’s popular Humpback Whales.

The world’s first whale tail-shaped computerized information kiosk is now available 24/7 in the lobby of the 858-room beachfront hotel. It’s free to anyone interested in accessing its extensive database of information and photography on Hawaii’s National Marine Sanctuary and the Humpback whales that visit the area November to April.

The kiosk was designed, built and programmed at a cost of $30,000 over a two-year period through a cooperative effort between the National Marine Sanctuary and its parent organization, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It will be on permanent display in front of a 10 by 30 foot ocean mural in the lobby of the hotel. The 600-pound custom designed kiosk, computer and touch screen monitor represents one of the most novel and kid-friendly tools to educate the public about whales, marine life and the National Marine Sanctuaries around the Hawaiian Islands.

The kiosk was unveiled by Naomi McIntosh, Marine Sanctuary Manager, Ocean Explorer Jean-Michel Cousteau, a board member of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and Dr. Chuck Kelley of Outrigger Hotels & Resorts.

“This is, without a doubt, one of the greatest sources of information on Humpback Whales for our guests,” said Geoff Graf, general manager of the Outrigger Reef. “The unique design of the kiosk and content fits perfectly with the theme of this hotel and the interests of our guests. I know it will be one of the most popular attractions for both kids and adults.”

The kiosk is an experimental outreach project to make the extensive research of the NOAA available to the general public for educational purposes. The Humpback Whale Information Kiosk programming contains a vast database of information and images of whale behaviors, maps, and other marine life pages of information. The programming will be updated several times year.

Hawaii has 1,370 square miles of ocean dedicated as National Marine Sanctuary to protect the North Pacific Humpback Whales, Spinner Dolphins, Hawaiian Monk Seals and other species.

The kiosk represents one of many programs coordinated in a partnership between the National Marine Sanctuary Program and Honolulu-based Outrigger Hotels & Resorts, which operates 50 properties in Hawaii, Australia, Fiji, Guam and New Zealand. Other programs include permanent educational exhibits, distribution of educational materials to guests, expert lectures, and community services.