Maui Jim® Launches Year-Long Facebook Promotion to "Send a Lei" and Raise Money for The Ocean Project

PEORIA, Ill., April 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Maui Jim,® the leader in the development of polarized sunglasses, plans to spread some virtual "aloha spirit" around the world with a new promotion, "Send a Lei," that raises money for The Ocean Project, the world's most extensive network of zoos, aquariums, museums focused on ocean education and conservation.

Visitors to the company's Facebook page through 2011 will have the opportunity to send a virtual Hawaiian Lei to their friends, along with some good vibes and well wishes. There are three Leis from which they can choose that all stand for a particular greeting. The company will track the number of Leis sent worldwide, filling up the online "Aloha-o-Meter." Each time the meter fills to the top, the company will donate $10,000 to the The Ocean Project and reset the meter.

"Leis are given as a traditional Hawaiian greeting," said Vice President of Marketing at Maui Jim, Linda Glassel. "The fact that Maui Jim is so connected to the ocean, we thought it was the perfect time to kick off an initiative that raises awareness about marine conservation while spreading some aloha spirit around the world."

About Oceans

"No matter where you live on the planet, each of us relies on a healthy ocean with a rich diversity of life to provide most of the oxygen we breathe, much of the food we eat, as well as medicines and other essentials that we need to survive," said Bill Mott, director of The Ocean Project. "The healthier the ocean, the better job the ocean can do to maintain the planet's normal climate conditions."

Oceans cover 71 percent of our planet; and while vast, the oceans are downstream from everyone, so they are susceptible to what happens at a local level. More than 50 percent of the population lives within 50 miles of an ocean coast. Fish from the ocean currently are the primary source of protein for one in six people on earth. Nearly a million people in the US have jobs that directly depend on the ocean, adding $12 billion to the country's GDP. While the ocean supports the greatest diversity of life and ecosystems on our planet, it is largely unexplored.

"It's time to take ocean conservation personally," added Mott.  "Sending Leis through Maui Jim's Facebook page and participating in events during World Oceans Day on June 8 are great ways to start. For the rest of the year, keep sending Leis and participate in 'Seas the Day' with The Ocean Project where you can implement small activities in your own lives that can have big impact on our oceans."

This year World Oceans Day will focus on getting youth motivated to take environmental action to clean up and protect the oceans. There will be hundreds of events in dozens of countries around the world. A list of events can be found at worldoceansday.org. SeastheDay.org features a different conservation theme monthly with ideas on how you can help make a real difference for our oceans.

About Maui Jim, Inc.

Maui Jim began as one man selling sunglasses on the beaches of Maui, Hawaii, back in the early 1980s.  As local demand grew for sunglasses that provided advanced protection from the severe glare and UV rays of the Hawaiian sun – without distorting the beautiful colors of the Islands – the  company developed proprietary technology – PolarizedPlus®, which was later patented and subsequently enhanced to create the company's newest technology, PolarizedPlus®2.

Maui Jim was "born" with an original line of seven sunglass styles.  At first, the sunglasses were exclusively sold in Maui, Hawaii.  In 1991, the company was purchased by Hester Enterprises, and in 1994, Hester enlisted RLI Vision Corporation of Peoria, Illinois, to be the mainland distributor of Maui Jim Sunglasses for the ophthalmic market.  Maui Jim, Inc. was established in December 1996, when Maui Jim Sunglasses acquired RLI Vision. Today, the company sells more than 70 styles and 200 SKUs and is the fastest growing polarized sunglass maker in the world. For more information on Maui Jim, visit mauijim.com.

About The Ocean Project

Since its formation in the late 1990s, The Ocean Project has grown from a handful of founding North American aquariums and conservation organizations into the world's most extensive network for advancing ocean education and action, with over 1,300 partner zoos, aquariums, and museums, plus conservation and education organizations, agencies, and institutions in 50 United States and 85 countries. The Ocean Project leads global efforts to promote and coordinate World Oceans Day: www.WorldOceansDay.org.

SOURCE Maui Jim, Inc.