Itʻs always nice to return to Mauna Lani for turtle independence day to celebrate the release of four honu into the wild, and to help educate residents and visitors about hawksbills (honuʻea) and green sea turtles and what we can do to help them. Today we also reminisce on the naming and releasing of a particular green sea turtle, “Mehana o ka Lā” (warmth from the sun) into the ocean in 2017 by HWFʻs President, Megan Lamson Leatherman, and her husband Patrick … we hope her journey is going well and that nā honu from today have a successful transition to the turquoise waters of Kohala! 🩵🐢🤙🏽 #turtleindependenceday #keephawaiiwild #honu #hawaii #maunalani (fb)

Honu Watch update! Lately, we have been getting reports of people harassing the basking turtles when we are not there. It breaks our hearts to hear about the disruption to the vulnerable animals; despite the signage, the roping off, and innate common sense to respect wildlife. Hawai’i Wildlife Fund is there to educate and keep the species safe, but even we as Naturalists, protecting this animal, face backlash and harsh comments from visitors that want to get close and disturb the animals. These sea turtles, as well as all wild animals need to escape distance even if it looks like you’re not disturbing them. We recommend at least 15 feet distance or more from turtles both in the water and on land. This beach specifically is so big, the Honu get this little corner to themselves. Please respect the signage and listen to the naturalists and locals!! No talk back and argue why you should be allowed to take a selfie with them!! 🙏🏼 #seaturtles #keephawaiiwild #protectwhatyoulove #conservation #respectwildlife (fb)