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Home > Marine Life > Turtles

Hawaiian Sea Turtles
Hawksbill sea turtle Hawaiian name: Honu’ea or ‘Ea
Green sea turtle Hawaiian name: Honu

About Hawai'i's Sea Turtles

How HWF works to help Sea Turtles
   > Conducts sea turtle research and monitoring
   > Reduces coastal lighting on nesting beaches
   > Collects underwater hawksbill pictures
   > Responds to stranded sea turtles

Green sea turtle - photo by Cheryl King
The green sea turtle is commonly seen near shore in Hawai'i.

> About Hawai'i's Sea Turtles
Hawai'i is the home to five species of sea turtles (see column at right). Olive ridleys, loggerheads and leatherbacks are usually only encountered in deep offshore waters. But it's common for snorkelers and divers on all the islands to see the honu (green sea turtle) in near shore waters. Green sea turtles, however, nests in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, a remote, protected area where they thrive.

green sea turtle with fibropapillomatosis tumors - photo by Carrie RobertsonUnfortunately, honu (greens) are suffering from a disease called fibropapillomatosis. This herpes-family virus causes the growth of white to blackish, cauliflower-like tumors. These grow on the soft tissues of the turtle’s body, internally and externally, and inhibit foraging, breathing, mobility and digestion. It is unclear what causes this disease, but research is ongoing worldwide to find a cure.

To some, the Hawaiian name for hawksbill sea turtles is 'ea, but for others they are known as honu'ea. Hawaiian hawksbill turtles nest on the main Hawaiian islands, predominately on the Big Island of Hawai‘i. However, a few hawksbills and green sea turtles also nest on Maui each year. Due to their rarity, hawksbills are watched over very carefully and are a primary subject for HWF's research projects.

In 1993 and 1996, two egg-laden hawksbills and numerous hatchlings were killed by cars while trying Turtle sign on Maui - photo by Carrie Robertsonto cross North Kihei Road from the adjacent nesting beach. In response, HWF was formed. Volunteers patrolled the beaches nightly, and in 1998 constructed a sand fence to help keep turtles off the road. This began the first systematic monitoring and research of this species on Maui. Since then, much has been learned about hawksbills' nesting, hatching and foraging behaviors.
   MORE > TELLING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HAWKSBILLS & GREENS

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> How HWF works to help Sea Turtles

· Conducts sea turtle research and monitoring
hawksbill sea turtle hatchlings - photo by Tom & Jan SavidgeIn collaboration with state and federal agencies, Hawai'i Wildlife Fund researches and protects nesting hawksbill sea turtles on Maui. HWF has helped to preserve hawksbill nesting habitats through conservation efforts and a public awareness campaign. HWF initiated a volunteer beach watch program called The Dawn Patrol, installed and repairs a fence to promote dune restoration, and tracks nesting female turtles by radio and satellite. During nesting season, HWF volunteers spend all night monitoring nests for weeks at a time to ensure emerging hatchlings reach the ocean safely. HWF also leads beach cleanups by removing rubbish and invasive dune vegetation.
    MORE> HWF'S TURTLE SATELLITE TRACKING MAPS

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· Reduces coastal lighting on nesting beaches
Maui coastal lighting - photo by Carrie RobertsonIn cooperation with resorts and private residences, lighting fixtures can be retro-fitted to become “turtle safe”. Coastal lighting deters nesting females from coming ashore to nest, and disorients hatchlings when they are navigating to the sea. This is a serious problem, but can be corrected quite easily and inexpensively. The Leilani Kai Resort and the Kealia Resort are great examples of successful projects. For more info view the Coastal Roadway Lighting Manual (pdf) and HWF's Turtle Lighting graphic.

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· Collects underwater hawksbill pictures
Hawksbill underwater - photo by Cheryl KingHave you been lucky enough to see a rare hawksbill while snorkeling/diving? HWF is collecting pictures and sighting data, which provide valuable distribution and abundance information. Contact us.

· Responds to stranded sea turtles
HWF works in collaboration with National Marine Fisheries Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to help sick or injured Stranded sea turtle - photo by Cheryl Kingturtles that wash up onto shore. If you find a stranded turtle on Maui, there is a response team that can help. If the turtle is located in South Maui (Ma‘alaea to Makena), please page (808) 278-3775. If it is anywhere else on Maui, please page (808) 893-3172. Mahalo! Any sea turtle harassment or illegal activities should be reported to Hawaii's Department of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (808) 984-8110.

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Related Links
 > HWF Hawksbill Recovery
 > Turtle ID Guide (pdf)
 > Turtle Tracking Maps
 > Turtle Lighting Graphic
 > Coastal Roadway Lighting
   Manual (pdf 763kb)
 
Hawai'i's 5 Species
of Sea Turtles
green sea turtle
Green (Chelonia mydas)
hawksbill sea turtle - photo by Cheryl King
Hawksbill
(Eretmochelys imbricata)

leatherback sea turtle - photo by Heather Medic
Leatherback
(Dermochelys coriacea)

loggerhead sea turtle - photo by Cheryl King
Loggerhead (Caretta caretta)
Olive Ridley - © Kedar Gore photo
Olive Ridley
(Lepidochelys olivacea)

Hawai'i Wildlife Fund    •   PO Box 790637 Paia, HI 96779   •   808.575.2046   •   wild@aloha.net   •   http://wildhawaii.org
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