Founder/President/CEO shares details about his proposed Aquarium Plaza
The Maui Aquarium Plaza
The Heart of the AngelPreneur Passion
The Maui Aquarium Plaza (Aquarium Plaza), is where innovation meets inspiration in a signature destination being developed as part of the AngelPreneur Venture Group (APVG) - the parent of GridZero Inc - West Maui Resilience Center project in Maui, Hawaii.. It was designed by our Founder, aka: The Shark, to serve as his flagship corporate headquarters for APVG and non-profit Clear Blue Oceans Foundation (CBO Foundation).
This is not just another mixed-use commercial center or tourist attraction. This is a special place with purpose, love, passion, and progress—built to educate, inspire, and unite those committed to a sustainable future. At the same time it is a tribute, built within a working entrepreneurial showcase where sustainability, entertainment, clean food, water, energy and people come together in a heartfelt legacy converge.
At the heart of Aquarium Plaza is Marissa’s Reef for Heavenly Helpers (Marissa’s Reef), a 50-foot round by 60-foot tall saltwater aquarium—with an awe-inspiring tropical reef ecosystem in its center. Built in memory of Marissa Reyes, our Founder’s 7-year-old granddaughter, born on his birthday on June 24, 1998, and tragically lost in a flash flood in Carefree Arizona on August 9, 2005. This project has
taken many turns over the years, starting in Maui, and now is finding its way back there by 2028.
This immersive exhibit will feature over 50,000 tropical reef fish and marine life, lovingly referred to as SpiritFish, named in honor of children lost to natural disasters around the world. The aquarium will also feature a ReefShark, representing Grandpa Petey our founder, and reason he has been tagged with The Shark nickname, to protect Marissa and her Spiritfish friends. The Reef stands as a living, breathing memorial of hope, healing, and remembrance, anchoring the soul of Aquarium Plaza.
Why West Maui Hawaii?
The Shark originally designed this project as part of a larger 500+ acre mixed-use development with an Aquarium Plaza Golf & Spa Resort hotel, set among a coffee plantation in west Maui. It had an estimated construction cost of over $600 million so the projected when Covid hit the project never materialized. Instead, The Shark redesigned a smaller version of the Aquarium Plaza to be included within the proposed West Maui Resilience Center not far from that former site just north of the Kaanapali Resort
The immersive aquarium exhibit will feature over 50,000 tropical reef fish and other marine life, lovingly referred to as SpiritFish, aka: Heavenly Helpers,each named in honor of children lost to natural disasters around the world. The aquarium will also feature a ReefShark, representing Grandpa Petey - our founder, the reason he was agged with The Shark name, The ReefShark would protect Marissa and her Spiritfish friends, with Marissa's Reef representing a living, memorial of hope, healing, and remembrance, anchoring the soul of the Aquarium Plaza.
The above videos share a taste of West Maui - that despite the fires of August 2023, which destroyed most of the Lahaina front street and harbor area, West Maui lives on. From Lahaina to Kaanapali to Kapalua - these is no shortage of things to do or explore. These are just a few of the videos that show why Maui is a great location for the Aquarium Plaza and place for the Shark to live and retire. Clean air, clean oceans and no freeways are just some of the advantages. The Aquarium Plaza includes the following businesses:
Aquarium Gallery Restaurant & Lounge
Integrated within the Aquarium Plaza is the Aquarium Gallery Restaurant that will feature the items listed to the right. The restaurant will become a must visit destination venue while o Maui in its own right, for locals, visitors and for hosting events or private gatherings, all within view of the mesmerizing Marissa’s Reef.
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Multiple saltwater aquariums for an immersive reef-side dining experience
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Sustainable seafood and full service sushi bar restaurant section featuring local fish
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Indoor and outdoor patio lounges with tropical design influences, with sunset views
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Themed food and beverage service inspired by Hawaiian and South Pacific coastal regions
SunStar Golf Club — Virtual Golf & Lounge
Maui is home to many golf tournaments and has many courses for visitors. However, golfing enthusiasts of all ages alike can play on over 250 virtual courses using the GolfZon simulators in the
SunStar Golf Club, which will redefine the indoor urban golfing trend as a part of family entertainment model.
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A multi-bay virtual golf simulator lounge setting with PGA-quality software
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Play over 100 top golf courses virtually in an amazing golf experience
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Golf gear, apparel & accessories for sale
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Golf lessons/training/seminars by certified golf-pros
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Local tournaments, and ClubZERO member leagues
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Premium drinks, bar food, and entertainment in a modern golf-inspired atmosphere
ReefShark Apparel & Accessories
The CBO Foundation, a Hawaiian 501 c(3) non-profit organization will oversee Marissa's Reef, and operate the ReefShark Apparel & Accessories retail store. They will oversee the SpiritFish program, manage an onsite Tropical Reef Research Center that will breed reef fish and other reef life for all onsite aquariums, and manage the CBO ReliefHUBS disaster assistance program. CBO will have their headquarter here along with the AngelPreneur Venture Group
📖 Building the Dream in Real Time
Aquarium Plaza is inspired by The Shark’s original Maui Aquarium Plaza Golf & Spa Resort design—a dream deferred, now reborn in Las Vegas. His full vision is detailed in his upcoming book: “The AngelPreneur: Building The Dream in Real Time” and also within his web series by the same name – both coming later this year.
Aquarium Plaza: A Tribute, A Vision, A Movement