In these PBS specials, Cousteau builds on the towering television legacy of his late father, explorer Jacques Cousteau. ''The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau'' enthralled viewers, and the son shares dad's gift for showmanship.
This series brings you the world's natural beauty and pushes you, ever so nicely, to appreciate that precious commodity. It's a noble lesson that unfolds as awesome entertainment.
In tracing a 1,200-mile expedition through the Northwest Hawaiian Islands, the documentary succeeds as glorious travelogue and urgent plea. Early on, Cousteau explains his team's mission.
''We're doing justice to the ocean,'' he says. ''A lot has to be done, and it's going to take a lot of work. But perhaps with this expedition we can highlight to the world the fact that it's not too late, the fact that it is time to recognize our life-support system has problems and thus so do we.''
In its strongest moments, ''Voyage to Kure'' underscores the dangers of treating the ocean as a dumping ground. Lighters, toothbrushes and other debris clutter beaches. Feasts of garbage endanger birds. Fishing nets destroy reefs and form appalling eyesores when piled in large clumps.
Yet by traveling to these distant islands, Cousteau explores how reefs and fish populations flourish away from civilization. In the first half, the team stops at Mokumanamana, a barren rock that drew Polynesians for centuries; Tern Island, nesting spot for thousands of birds; and Maro Reef, where delicate creatures thrive.
The second half examines Laysan Island, which struggles to bounce back from devastation by guano miners and rabbits; Pearl and Hermes Atoll, where fish swarm through shipwrecks; and Midway Island, the famous World War II battle site where volunteers diligently remove fishing nets. The final destination is Kure Island, a favorite spot for spinner dolphins but another repository for marine trash.
''What we found in one of the most remote island chains on the planet is a rare example of the sea's richness and beauty when undisturbed by human intrusions,'' Cousteau says. ''We must restore much of Earth from our impact, but these faraway jewels of the sea still thrive with life.''
''Ocean Adventures'' will continue later this year with programs on sharks, whales and America's underwater treasures. The Cousteau family tradition also continues: Celine and Fabien, Jean-Michel's children, participate in later programs.
Channeling
Bones: KSTU Channel 13, tonight, 7. The team investigates a 300-year-old bone that may lead to pirates treasure.
Law & Order: KSL Channel 5, tonight, 8. A gunman seeks revenge for his baby sister, who died of AIDS at a children's hospital.
Window to the Sea: KUED Channel 7, tonight, 9. Repeat showing that looks at how they maintain four aquariums around the country, including ones in Chicago and Monterey, Calif.
