Counting Hawaii’s Monks

Help protect one of Hawai‘i's endangered species – the Hawaiian monk seal. Volunteers will be needed for a bi-annual monk seal count this Saturday, Oct. 15 (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.). Get a front-row view of the seals and learn how to identify them during your Hawai‘i vacation. Be sure to bring a camera, water, sunscreen and binoculars.

Newborn pup La‘akea and her mom will stay together until La‘akea is fully weaned.

Seal counting will help researchers keep track of their population and educate people who might encounter them. Only about 1,200 monk seals exist, with 200 of them living in the main Hawaiian Islands. A record four Hawaiian monk seals have been born on O‘ahu this year. Most recently in August, a pup was born on the east side at Alan Davis Beach. Most monk seals can be spotted in the areas between Mānana Island (Rabbit Island) and Sandy Beach. This year, the other seals were born on the North Shore and on Mānana Island. 

The population continues to decline overall, but experts predict a growth on the main Hawaiian Islands, where about 35 currently live. Researchers began keeping record of the seals 15 years ago. Since then, they've reported a drop in numbers living on the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. 

Because of O‘ahu's monk seal boom, volunteers will also be needed to watch over the pups and adults that hang out on shore. They take turns supervising the area and informing beach-goers about these endangered sea mammals. Once a seal is spotted, researchers put up protective barriers and signs warning people not to get too close. Recently vandals damaged a fence surrounding the seal and graffitied the signs on the East side of O‘ahu. 

It's also important not to go near seal pups because they may become too friendly with humans. This makes it difficult for them to survive in the wild and often times, they end up living in aquariums. One seal had to be moved from O‘ahu and transported to the Northwestern Islands after it had been playing with humans near shore. Pups live on the beach with their moms until they've been weaned fully. Then they live on their own in the wild, and in order to do so successfully, we humans should keep our distance.

‘Ilioholo‘ika‘ua‘ua (e-leo-ho-low-e-kuh-OO-AH-OO-AH) is the Hawaiian name for this particular monk seal, which literally means "the dog that runs in the rough seas." The more common name, monk seal, comes from the folds of skin behind their heads that look similar to a monkʻs hood.

Volunteers from last year's monk seal count learn about the endangered animal. 

Many other efforts to protect the Hawaiian monk seal have been made. Last year, we wrote about a doll from the American Girl line that represented Hawai‘i. A dollar from each sale went toward the National Wildlife Federation. Also, you can help researchers keep track of the seals on your next visit. If you spot one, please call 808-220-7802. Some may get entangled in fishing nets or injured. Please call 1-888-256-9840 to report such sightings. Māhalo!

HAWAIIAN MONK SEAL BI-ANNUAL COUNT / Saturday, Oct. 15 (10am-1pm) / To find out where the designated watch zones will be, contact the Hawaiian Monk Seal Response Team O‘ahu (HMSRTO) at sealonthebeach@gmail.com / 808-234-7325 / www.HMSRTO.org

Photo Credit: HMSRTO

Posted by Alyssa S. Navares Follow me on Twitter @Uamalie87

Published by Bruce Fisher

Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which, create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. Postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.

Entry Filed under: Hawaiiana,Oahu,Ocean

October 13th, 2011