Aquarium Accolades Fall 2025
Read about Aquarium honorees from our community.
Credit: Aquarium of the Pacific/Robin Riggs
September 17, 2025
Pride Night
Victoria Ivie was honored at the Aquarium’s Pride Night in June 2025.
Ivie is a journalist who tells the stories of underrepresented communities, including the LGBTQ+ community. Ivies has covered everything from the devastation of the Eaton Fire to the complicated feelings LGBTQ+ people experience during the holidays, giving voice to diverse experiences and perspectives.
Pacific Islander Festival
Siulolo Palalei Makakaufaki was honored at the Aquarium’s Pacific Islander Festival in June 2025.
Makakaufaki is an elder at the Tongan Civic Club, Famili Pe Taha. Since retiring in 2010, she has devoted her time to her family and the Tongan community. She is a cultural bearer, supporting efforts and sharing resources with other Tongan elders to provide equal access to health benefits for all Tongans.
Credit: Aquarium of the Pacific/Josh Barber
Moompetam American Indian Festival
Abe Sanchez was honored at the Aquarium’s Moompetam American Indian Festival in September 2025.
Abe Sanchez dedicates his time to the revival and preservation of Indigenous basketweaving and foods. He is a founding member of the Chia Café Collective and co-wrote a cookbook titled Cooking the Native Way. Sanchez believes that teaching people about seasonal, native foods can make a significant difference not only to our health, but also to the health of the environment.
