turtle-hatchlings-maui-hawaii-wildlife-fund
Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle Hatchlings Rescue Team – photo by Inflatable Film Maui

Excavation & Rescue of
Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle Hatchlings on Maui

We are passionate about protecting our beloved honu and honu‘ea (sea turtles). Every summer, we spend countless nights camping at night and sitting in the sun all day, waiting for the first hatchlings to arrive. Exquisite patience is required, plus the hundreds of volunteers who make this project successful. Going strong for 24 years, protecting more than 10,300 hatchlings, the reward never gets old. And this time @inflatablefilm came along to help protect the nests, and to capture the journey. Stay tuned for their film creation.

Big mahalo to all of our fabulous volunteers who selflessly work round the clock to kōkua (help).

All monitoring and excavation activities are carried out by trained Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund biologists and volunteers operating under endangered species permits with state and federal agency partners. These efforts and video are for the research and conservation of the green sea turtle and to help educate the public. Never touch, approach, or harass sea turtle hatchlings or adults in the wild.

Mahalo.

Special thanks to Inflatable Film for the wonderful images and film of the hatchlings.

HWF’s Sea Turtle Recovery Project is performed under Federal Fish and Wildlife Permit TE829250-9 and Hawai‘i Department of Land & Natural Resources Permit SAP 2020-63 by qualified biologists, and volunteers are following CDC, Maui County and state guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

This green sea turtle nest excavation took place in collaboration with our partners at MOCMI and DLNR on August 3, 2020. We excavate to help release trapped hatchlings who would otherwise die in the nest. This is one of the 3 nests we moved from Baldwin Beach due to erosion. We were thrilled with the success of this translocated nest, freeing 64 live hatchlings. Thank you Aimee Lemieux for the video.
Green sea turtle hatchlings race to the sea after being rescued. Thank you Amy Wakingwolf for the video.

Just a few of the many people who are there to help Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund and the turtles. Mahalo nui loa!

*All monitoring and excavation activities are carried out by trained Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund biologists and volunteers operating under endangered species permits with state and federal agency partners (USFWS TE829250-9 and DLNR SAP 2020-63) and following CDC, Maui County and state guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Never touch, approach, or harass sea turtle hatchlings or adults in the wild.