Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 6, Number 1, 1 January 1989 — Naturally Hawaiian [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Naturally Hawaiian

By Patrick Ching Artist/ Environmentalist

lf you've spent any time in or near the oeean, you most likely are familiar with the sea turtles that frequent Hawaiian waters. If you've been lucky enough to observe them underwater then you have experienced their gracefulness as they glide through the water with seemingly effortless strokes of their winglike flippers. Several types of sea turtles inhabit Hawaiian waters: the Hawksbill, OHve Riddley, Loggerhead, and Giant Leatherback Turtles are occasionally sighted while the most eommon turtle by far is the Pacific Green Sea Turtle. The favorite nesting grounds for the green sea turtle, known to Hawaiians as Honu, are on the tiny, sand-covered islands in the northwest Hawaiian ehain. Eaeh summer the turtles eome here to feed, mate and bask in the sun. These uninhabited islands are an ideal refuge for the Honu, whieh are easily disturbed by humans or dogs, especially while on land. From May to August, the pregnant female turtles eome out of the water to lay their eggs in the sand during the night. An adult fema!e may weigh over 300 pounds and lay over 100 eggs about the

size of golfballs. After a eouple of months the eggs will hatch and the young turtles will emerge from their nest during the night and head for the water. In many areas of the world seabirds take large numbers of young turtles before they reach the water. In Hawai'i however, seabirds are not known to eat newly hatched turtles. Onee in the water, though, young turtles are vulnerable prey to fish, sharks, and other marine animals. Sharks may even attack and kill full-grown turtles. Predation by man is by far the biggest threat to the world's sea turtles whieh are hunted and killed for their meat, shells, and eggs. The Honu was a favored food of the Hawaiian people who also made use of their shclls and eggs. As domestic and commercial demand for turtle meat and products increased, the sea turtle populahon in Hawai'i decreased. As a result the Honu was put on the Federal threatened species list, and now it is illegal to harass or kill them.