2011 Turtle Project Update for Ka'u on the Big Island of Hawaii
The sea turtle, or Honu in Hawaiian, can be seen up and down the coast of the Big Island
THE TURTLE PROJECT reports a very successful season, not only for thousands of baby hawksbills leaving their nests to reach the ocean along Ka`u’s coast, but for a rare olive ridley turtle, whose nest was found and protected at the end of Road to the Sea below Hawaiian Ocean View Estates.
The olive ridley nest was saved from the surf and protected by volunteers at `Awili Point. It was only the fourth documented nesting of a ridley in Hawai`i.
Baby Olive Ridley turtles—Photo courtesy of the Hawai`i Volcanoes Hawksbill Turtle Project
The hawksbills did well with 39 nests on six beaches:
- Apua Point and Halape inside Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park
- Kamehame
- The Nature Conservancy preserve makai of Pahala
- Koloa-Ninole near Punalu`u
- Pohue Bay
- `Awili.
No nests were found at Punalu`u this year. More than 40 volunteers helped to protect these rare turtles at the 40 nests along the Ka`u Coast. Hawai`i Volcanoes Hawksbill Turtle Project leader, Will Seitz, said that more than 4,000 hatchlings made it safely to the ocean, where they will spend the rest of their lives.
I’m very proud to live in such an aware community! Thanks to all who volunteered and helped with this years study and protection of this beautiful endangered species. Mahalo Nui Loa!
Information provided from the Ka’u Calendar and Hawaii Volcanoes Hawksbill Turtle Project.
Read my previous blog posts here!
Brittany S
March 30, 2011
Amazing!!! What a great article, I live in Ka’u and I had no idea how close by their habitats were!!! Thanks for sharing! Aloha!
Brittany S
March 30, 2011
Amazing!!! What a great article, I live in Ka’u and I had no idea how close by their habitats were!!! Thanks for sharing! Aloha!
Pat Strausse, R
March 30, 2011
Thanks for sharing this information, it’s great to hear that someone is looking out for our Honu. Do you know if turtles return to where they are born? Or, will some of these turtles show up at Puako for Katie to snap in a pic?
Pat Strausse, R
March 30, 2011
Thanks for sharing this information, it’s great to hear that someone is looking out for our Honu. Do you know if turtles return to where they are born? Or, will some of these turtles show up at Puako for Katie to snap in a pic?
Catherine Klug
March 30, 2011
Thank you Jene for being so connected to your community and congrats to the Turtle Project! As a reminder to all Honu lovers… swim above or alongside it and don’t ever touch, disturb or harass the turtle.
Catherine Klug
March 30, 2011
Thank you Jene for being so connected to your community and congrats to the Turtle Project! As a reminder to all Honu lovers… swim above or alongside it and don’t ever touch, disturb or harass the turtle.
Tara Kelly
March 31, 2011
I love the Honu and to see them while diving, well it leaves you breathless. Great blog Jene.
Tara Kelly
March 31, 2011
I love the Honu and to see them while diving, well it leaves you breathless. Great blog Jene.
Jene Green, R(S)
March 31, 2011
@Brittany~ Aloha! Thank you for commenting here on my blog! I am happy to know that some of my fellow Ka’uians are finding my posts! How long have you lived in Ka’u? Mahalo!!
@Pat~ Haha… I am not sure if they return to where they are born or not, but I doubt it cause the Honu’s on Finding Nemo are cruisers!! lol
@Catherine~ I love community awareness and am involved in everything I can be 🙂 Also, Mahalo for your reminder to all about the proper way to act when swimming, diving or snorkeling near Honu’s!
@Tara~ I love them too! They are special to me and definitely leave me breathless when I see them while diving or swimming! My daughter adores them!
Mahalo Nui Loa!!
Jene Green, R(S)
March 31, 2011
@Brittany~ Aloha! Thank you for commenting here on my blog! I am happy to know that some of my fellow Ka’uians are finding my posts! How long have you lived in Ka’u? Mahalo!!
@Pat~ Haha… I am not sure if they return to where they are born or not, but I doubt it cause the Honu’s on Finding Nemo are cruisers!! lol
@Catherine~ I love community awareness and am involved in everything I can be 🙂 Also, Mahalo for your reminder to all about the proper way to act when swimming, diving or snorkeling near Honu’s!
@Tara~ I love them too! They are special to me and definitely leave me breathless when I see them while diving or swimming! My daughter adores them!
Mahalo Nui Loa!!