HWF’s Basking Education Project

Tumored and non-tumored juveniles and adults

(male and female) bask on dark, quiet beaches.

They are able to stay out of the ocean for hours

or even days at a time if not disturbed.

This seems to be a learned behavior, which is

increasing, but still rare enough that people

don’t expect to see turtles on shore. This

provides a remarkable setting to view turtles,

but introduces management challenges since

pono (“righteous”) turtle watching etiquette

needs to constantly be taught:

Trained HWF volunteer naturalists educate the

community about unique turtle behaviors and

life history to create a sense of respect through

coexistence and enjoyment for this species.

~Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund~ www.WildHawaii.org HWFhonu@gmail.com 808-385-5464

HWF’s Basking Honu Research

HWF has been monitoring Ho‘okipa’s basking

honu since 2008. These turtles have exhibited a

noticeable behavior shift, as they only basked at

night until recently. They may feel more

comfortable emerging on shore (where they are

defenseless), and are basking during the day.

HWF uses zoom lenses and night vision cameras

to not disrupt their natural behaviors. We

record all entanglements, fibropapillomatosis

cases, injuries like shark bites, and signs of

nesting (Northwestern Hawaiian Island

biologists tag them and paint #s on their shells):

Individuals are recognized by the scale patterns

and pigmentations on their faces and flippers:

These patterns are like fingerprints, and by

matching them we’ve documented over 100

different individuals at Ho‘okipa (translated as

“hospitality”). We predict that more will start

basking if people show them true hospitality...

Please show turtles aloha!

~Hawaiian Sea Turtles~

Iconic Species That Need Your Help to Survive…

Multiple issues affect sea turtle recovery: fibropapillomatosis (a tumor-forming

disease), coral reef habitat degradation, nesting habitat alterations/loss,

interactions with nearshore fishing activities, boat strikes, marine debris

ingestion and entanglement, harassment, poaching, and climate change.

Please join HWF’s Turtle Team!

“Ho‘okuleana” means “to take responsibility”. It’s everyone’s responsibility to ensure that sea

turtles thrive for future generations to experience. Mahalo for your kōkua!

Hawaiian Sea Turtles

Five out of the seven global sea turtle species

can be found around Hawai‘i, but typically only

two inhabit the nearshore reef ecosystem:

greens “honu” (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbills

“honu ‘ea” or “ ‘ea” (Eretmochelys imbricata).

Critically endangered hawksbills are very rare,

with a total of only ~100 nesting females in all

of Hawai‘i. HWF has been conducting vital

hawksbill research and conservation projects

since 1996 (please see www.WildHawaii.org).

Due to protection under Federal and State laws

(late 1970s) and local conservation efforts, the

Hawaiian green turtle population (not the

hawksbill however) is making a comeback, but

is still listed as “threatened”.

It is illegal to harass (alter their natural

behavior, disturb, touch, chase, crowd, tease,

harm, or kill) all species of sea turtles.

Please treat them with respect!

Nesting Season (May-December)

Hawksbills only nest

within the Main

Hawaiian Islands of

the Archipelago.

Greens (~1,400 total

nesters) mostly nest

in the Northwestern

Hawaiian Islands,

but nesting is

increasing within

the Main Hawaiian

Islands. Please report turtle tracks right away.

Basking (Year-round)

It is called “basking” when green sea turtles

crawl ashore not for nesting purposes, and this

has only been documented in Hawai‘i and

Australia. No other species of sea turtles are

known to bask. It is a common occurrence in

the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, but

happens on a more limited basis in select areas

around the Main Hawaiian Islands.

Possible reasons that prompt basking behavior

are for the turtles to rest, raise their body

temperature and/or to avoid predators (sharks).

There may be other health-related benefits that

are currently not understood, possibly linked to

fibropapillomatosis, so it’s important that they

are never disturbed. Please report baskers so

that their health can be assessed.

Fibropapillomatosis (FP)

Fibropapillomatosis, a non-malignant tumor

forming disease, was first discovered in Florida

in 1938 and then in Hawai‘i in 1958. Only green

turtles initially contracted the disease, but it is

now spreading to other species worldwide. The

tumors proliferate on the turtle’s soft tissue and

if seen externally on a turtle, the tumors are

likely growing internally as well. FP is related to

a herpes virus, but its cause is still unknown and

there is no cure. Some tumors do regress

naturally. Surgery isn’t always successful due to

the deep-rooted tumors and the likelihood of

regrowth. Funding is needed for creating a

treatment facility for FP and other issues.