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Na Hulu Manu o Hawai`i
The Precious Things of Hawai`i
Native Animals of Our Islands
Native Animals
Polynesian Introduction Animals
Post-1778 Introduction Animals
Under Construction
Manu
Many bird species are native to the Hawaiian islands, and some are found nowhere else in the world. Learn more about our native birds at this National Park Service page.
Honu
Hawai`i is home to several species of honu [HOH-noo], or sea turtles. The most common are the honu (green sea turtle) and the honu `ea (hawksbill). The honu are the `aumakua, or ancestral guardians, of many Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians). In addition to being important culturally, the honu also are a federally protected species.
While "playing" with honu may seem fun and harmless, please don't do it. It is not good for them, and it MAY not be good for YOU!
Feeding turtles (and other wildlife) gets them used to human contact - YOU might be a very nice person who would never hurt them, but the next person to come along might not be so nice to an unwary turtle. I have seen people entice turtles with food and then pick them up for photos. A turtle's body is designed to be supported by the water, not hung from its shell.
When one person feeds a turtle (or other wild animal) other people think it is OK and start to do it as well.
Once conditioned to expect food from humans, hand-fed turtles and other marine and land wildlife can become aggressive toward people who do not give them food, or who run out of food. This can be rather dangerous, especially for children, whose fingers are more fragile than an adult's.
The fibropapillomatosis (tumors) our turtles are developing in recent years are believed by many scientists to be associated with a herpes virus. Causes of this in turtles is not yet known, but they are most frequent in turtles which frequent areas of high human activity. Some marine scientists think it is possible that the virus may transfer from humans to turtles. Hawai`i and Florida turtles have the highest contact rates with humans. Hawai`i turtles have the highest incidence of tumors in the throat. Hawai`i turtles also are most frequently fed by humans. We don't yet know if there is a cause and effect here, but why take an unnecessary chance? Scroll down for more information on fibropapillomatosis.
One of the things honu like to do is find a nice spot of beach to climb on and take a rest. They are not sick or "beached. So, please do not pour water on them, carry them back to the ocean, or flip them over. Do not sit on them or lean on them. Would you like it if YOU were stretched out on the beach and a stranger sat on you or poured water on you?
How to Interact with Honu
OK, so what CAN do do to interact with honu in a legal, environmentally appropriate, and culturally sensitive way? Just be quiet! It's so simple! Honu are curious animals. If you simply put on your snorkling gear and quietly float in the water, any honu in the area who is not busy with honu-business will come over and check you out. If you already are holding your camera near your face, there is a good chance you can quietly snap off some lovely pictures of the honu looking right at you.
Here is a keiki hula I
wrote about Kauila, the kupua of Punalu`u who can change from a honu to
a girl and back:
He Mele No Kauila
Here is a lovely re-telling of the story of Kauila:
Turtle Talk - Fun Facts
About Hawai`i
Talk story about the legand at the
Ka`ahele Hawai`i Forum
Join the Ka`ahele Hawai`i forum and talk about honu on-line
Honu Thread
Fibropapillomatosis
"Fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a tumor-forming transmissible sea turtle disease of relatively recent significance that globally affects mainly green turtles (Chelonia mydas). The disease has been most prominent in the Hawaiian Islands and Florida (USA) where half or more of the immature green turtles in some coastal foraging pastures are affected. The cause of FP is unknown; however, a herpes virus (Herbst, 1994; Herbst et al., 1995) and a retrovirus (Casey et al., 1996) have been implicated as possible etiologic agents. The mode of transmission and why the disease has become epidemic in some populations also remain to be determined. The usual outcome for most affected turtles in Hawaii is debilitation over a protracted period, followed by death.
In both Hawaii and Florida, where FP has
been the focus of most studies to date, multiple fibropapillomas ranging
in diameter from a few millimeters to 25 cm can occur on all skin
surfaces of an animal. The most common sites of affliction are the
axillary region of the flippers, and on the eyes, neck, and tail. Other
sites affected less frequently include the carapace, plastron, and
internal organs. The formation of tumors in the ocular region, causing
partial or total loss of vision, has been well documented in both
populations. "
www.turtles.org/oral.htm
Following, I have pased in the NOAA guidelines for viewing marine life.
Marine Mammal & Sea Turtle Viewing
"Code of Conduct"
The following guidelines for viewing whales, dolphins, monk seals and
sea turtles in Hawaii have been provided by NOAA's National Marine
Fisheries Service, NOAA's National Marine Sanctuaries, and the State of
Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources. NOAA recommends these
viewing guidelines, however, they do not replace Federal or state law.
Pursuit and feeding of marine mammals is prohibited by Federal law.
*Remain at least 100 yards from humpback whales, and at least 50 yards from other marine mammals (dolphins, other whale species, and Hawaiian monk seals).
*Observe turtles from a distance.
*Bring binoculars along on viewing excursions to assure a good view from the recommended viewing distances.
****Do not attempt to touch, ride, or feed turtles.
*Limit your time observing an animal to 1/2 hour.
*Marine mammals and sea turtles should not be encircled or trapped between boats or shore.
*If approached by a marine mammal or turtle while on a boat, put the engine in neutral and allow the animal to pass. Boat movement should be from the rear of the animal.
`Ōpe`ape`a
In addition to birds, the Bat makes its home in Hawai`i's trees. The National Park Service has a good page on bats. Here is another from the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Insects
Snails
Reptiles