The Sea Turtles of Hawaiʻi: Honu and Their Ocean Cousins
Five species of sea turtle swim in Hawaiʻi's waters, and each one has a story worth knowing.
If you've spent any time along the coast of Hawaiʻi Island, you've probably met a honu. Maybe one surfaced beside you while snorkeling, or you found one resting on the black sand at Punaluʻu. They're the sea turtles we see most, and the ones that inspire so much of my work. But the honu has company out there. This month's Species Spotlight is a closer look at all five sea turtles of Hawaiʻi.
Meet the Sea Turtles of Hawaiʻi
Green sea turtle (honu). The honu is by far the most common sea turtle in Hawaiʻi. Despite the name, its shell is usually olive or brown. The "green" comes from the color of its fat, tinted by a diet of limu (seaweed and algae). Hawaiian green sea turtles are also among the few in the world that haul out to bask on beaches. Most of them nest far to the northwest, at Lalo (French Frigate Shoals) in Papahānaumokuākea, one of the places I wrote about in Exploring Hawaii's Marine Protected Areas. Protected since 1978, their numbers have grown a great deal, though they're still listed as threatened. Warming sands and rising seas are a new challenge for nesting turtles, which I explored in The Impact of Climate Change on Sea Turtle Populations.
Hawksbill sea turtle (honu ʻea). The hawksbill is one of the rarest sea turtles in Hawaiʻi, and it's critically endangered. You can recognize it by its narrow, bird-like beak and beautifully patterned shell. Only a small number of females nest in Hawaiʻi each year, many of them along the Kāʻu coast right here on Hawaiʻi Island. They feed mostly on sponges tucked into the reef, one more reason coral reef restoration matters so much.
Leatherback sea turtle. The leatherback is the largest turtle on Earth, growing over six feet long and weighing well over a thousand pounds. Instead of a hard shell, its back is covered in tough, leathery skin. Leatherbacks live in the open ocean and dive to remarkable depths in search of jellyfish, so they're rarely seen near shore.
Loggerhead sea turtle. Named for its large head and powerful jaws, the loggerhead crushes crabs and shellfish with ease. North Pacific loggerheads nest in Japan and cross the ocean as they grow, passing through the waters far off Hawaiʻi.
Olive Ridley sea turtle. One of the smallest sea turtles, the olive ridley is named for its olive-green shell. It lives offshore in the open ocean and is most often seen by fishermen and boaters far from land.
Honu in Hawaiian Culture
In Hawaiʻi, the honu is more than a beloved animal. It's a symbol of good luck, endurance, and long life, and a reminder of our connection to the ocean. For some Hawaiian families, the honu is an ʻaumakua, an ancestral guardian.
Hawaiʻi Island has its own honu moʻolelo (story). At Punaluʻu, the tale of Kauila tells of a turtle who could take the form of a young girl to watch over the children playing along the shore. It's one reason honu resting on that black sand beach feel like they belong to the place.
How to See Them Respectfully
All sea turtles in Hawaiʻi are protected by state and federal law, and a little care goes a long way.
Give them space. Stay at least 10 feet away, on the beach and in the water.
Look, don't touch. Never touch, feed, chase, or ride a turtle, even if it swims close to you.
Let resting honu rest. Basking turtles are warming up and recovering. Keep your distance and keep noise down.
Keep beaches dark and clean. Bright lights can confuse hatchlings, and plastic and fishing line are real dangers. Pack out what you bring.
Report turtles in trouble. If you see an injured, sick, or entangled turtle, call the NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline at (888) 256-9840.
Want to do more? Learn how plastic pollution affects marine life, how you can help through citizen science, or read our guide to traveling responsibly in Hawaiʻi.
From the Reef to the Studio
Sea turtles have shaped my work more than any other animal. There's something about the way a honu glides, calm and unhurried, that I keep trying to capture. Every honu piece in the shop is handcrafted and finished by hand here in East Hawaiʻi, each one inspired by encounters along this coast.
If you'd like to bring a little of that calm home, explore the Honu Collection, including the color-shifting "Ānuenue" and the "Porthole Voyage" and "Reef Wanderer" reliefs.
Have you had a sea turtle encounter you'll never forget? Share it with us on Instagram. Next month's Species Spotlight: the clever, shape-shifting heʻe.
