When our divers arrive at the shop, or en route to the harbor or dive site, one question is asked more than most: will we see turtles?

Green Sea Turtles are protected by law and now are thriving here in our Hawaiian waters. Every side of our island has a dive site named after these creatures: Turtle Canyons, Turtle Reef, Turtle Carwash, Turtles… Along with the monstrous waves here on the North Shore in the winter, Turtles lounging on the beach are the most common cause of traffic jams up here. It is easy to love these amazing creatures and it is easy to help them as well.

Hawaii’s Sea Turtles

All sea turtles in Hawaii are protected under the Endangered Species Act and wildlife laws of the state of Hawaii. Five species of sea turtles are found in near shore and pelagic environments around the Hawaiian Islands. The endangered hawksbill, leatherback, loggerhead, and olive ridley are found offshore, but rarely seen by the casual observer. Of these, the fifth and most commonly observed species is the threatened green turtle – known locally as "honu".

The green sea turtle, or honu, has the most contact with humans. These gentle vegetarians feed close to shore on seaweed and algae. They gently graze on the green in the big blue. They are often seen splayed on beaches in the afternoons warming themselves in the sun. For example, on Oahu’s north shore heading towards Waimea Bay, traffic dramatically slows when approaching Laniakea Beach (locally dubbed “Turtle Beach”) as on-lookers take pictures of the dome-shaped sunbathers gathered on the sand. Laniakea Beach is not a nesting area, rather a resting area. They come to Laniakea for the great quantity of food and safety from the cove. Besides humans, tiger sharks are their greatest predators.

It takes but one encounter for the green sea turtle to become one’s favorite site underwater. Whether a brief glimpse as it gasps for air at the surface, is silhouetted by the above sun as a diver, or a casual swim-by as a snorkeler – these beautiful, ancient creatures seem to possess a deep knowledge behind their huge black eyes that one cannot help but respect and love.

Hawaiian Lore:

According to Hawaiian lore, a green sea turtle changed its shape into a child and protected the children of Punaluu on the Big Island. Her name was Kauila. Revered by the Hawaiians for its aumakkua spirit, it is the guardian of many ohana – families.

Honu Facts:

• Green sea turtles primarily eat vegetation such as sea grass and algae. They have no teeth, but instead a serrated jaw. They can eat and swallow only while underwater.
• Green sea turtles have excellent underwater vision and can hear low frequency sounds, yet have no actual external openings to the ears. Their tears are very thick to rid the body of excess salt and keep the eyes clean.
• They can live up to 100 years of age yet develop slowly. It takes more than two decades before they reach adult breeding size of 200 lbs. or more
• Honus surface about every twenty minutes for air, except for when they are sleeping underwater. They have an adjustable metabolism to conserve oxygen. (This is why it is impolite for a diver to use flash photography on a sleeping turtle in a dark area. The light startles them, which in turn accelerates the heart rate and forces them to surface for more air.)
• How does one tell a land turtle from a sea turtle? Easy! One has legs, the other has flippers.
• A bit more difficult – how does one tell a female green sea turtle from a male green sea turtle? The male honu has a longer and thicker tail that extends approximately one foot passed his shell. Conversely, the female’s tail barely extends passed her shell.
• Green sea turtles are sexually mature at 25-35 years of age. They migrate over 1000 miles roundtrip from Laniakea to French Frigate Shoals in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands to mate and nest. They return to nest and reproduce in the same general area in which they were born.

Turtle Viewing:

• Respect the turtles. The female green sea turtle lays 80-120 eggs. Of these, 1 out of 100 make it to the ocean. Of that 1 out of 10,000 make it to adulthood. All adult green sea turtles are survivors. Give them the respect they deserve.
• It is against federal law to harass the sea turtle. This includes: feeding, touching, petting, chasing, crowding, teasing, handling, and/or riding. Simply observe them. Give them a wide berth (no less than 10 feet) with a clear escape route to deeper waters. Violators are subject to steep fines.
• Be still and quiet. Loud noises or abrupt movements startle and distress the sea turtles. This can cause them harm to themselves or you.

In general, stress diminishes their ability to perform critical functions, such as feeding, breeding, nursing, resting, or socializing – just as they would you and I.

Why are green sea turtles endangered?

Us. Commercial fishing, chemical pollution, egg poaching, monofilament fishing lines, abandoned nets, plastic bags, and commercial/residential development of nesting grounds. Our trash kills sea turtles. They become entangled in long monofilament (plastic) fishing line and/or nets that cause strangulation or flipper amputation, succumb to infection ranging from superficial to deep fishing hook embedment, or get plastic bags caught on their heads to incur a slow suffocation.

Recommendations to Reduce Fishing Line Entanglement:

1. Do not cast fishing lines where turtles can be seen surfacing to breathe.
2. If a turtle is caught, cut the line as close as possible to the hook, within an inch or two with a blunt knife. If the turtle is tangled, cut or remove this line as well.
3. Do not attempt to remove a hook from a turtle unless it is lightly embedded and can be removed without causing further injury. Do not attempt to remove a hook that is entirely inside the mouth or throat – this is a job for a veterinarian.

A professional must treat turtles that are entwined with deeply cutting line or a deep hook penetration. For such instances, keep the turtle in the shade and call 808-983-5730. This is the National Marine Fisheries Service, Marine Turtle Research Program located in Honolulu. They will pick up the turtle and provide the professional care needed before returning the turtle to the ocean. If you spot what appears to be a sick or dead sea turtle stranded on land, the same number applies.

What Can We Do?

Be aware. Keep our beaches and oceans clean. Volunteer, get involved. To learn more, go to LINK www.world-turtle-trust.org Report violations to NOAA Fisheries Enforcement Hotline 1-800-853-1964

Information provided by:
Marine Turtle Research Program,
NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service,
Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center