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The green sea turtle is commonly seen
near shore in Hawai'i.
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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.
 Unfortunately, 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
 to 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.
> 2004 SEA TURTLE SYMPOSIUM PROCEEDINGS (PDF 477 KB)
> 2009 TURTLE TRACKING RESEARCH PAPER (PDF 1 MB)
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How HWF works to help Sea Turtles
· Conducts sea turtle research and monitoring
 In
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.
> HWF HAWKSBILL SEA TURTLE RECOVERY PROJECT
> VOLUNTEER WITH HWF
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· Collects underwater hawksbill pictures
 Have
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.
> TURTLE ID (PDF 402 KB)
· 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
 turtles
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) 872-5190.
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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· Reduces coastal lighting on nesting beaches
 In 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.
> HWF TURTLE FRIENDLY COASTAL LIGHTING BROCHURE (PDF 1 MB)
> BEACH LIGHTING TECHNICAL REPORT (PDF 214 MB)
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