Hawaii’s Turtle Independence Day

By Alex Tolhurst | July 3, 2012

The Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle is one of the most coveted marine wildlife species in Hawaii. As an endangered species, these gentle creatures need our help in recovering to healthy numbers. That’s what Turtle Independence Day is all about!

Green Sea Turtle hatchlings are vulnerable to predators until large enough to fend for themselves. Photo: jonrawlinson on Flickr

A bit about Turtle Independence Day

Since it’s inception in 1989 the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows has been celebrating Turtle Independence Day by fostering Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle hatchlings until they are large enough to fend for themselves.

Every year on July 4, they parade a bale of turtles which are ready to be released into the wild. The goal of the event is that these creatures will increase the population, and hopefully reach a level where they are no longer a threatened species.

The hotel receives the turtles from Sea Life Park of Oahu at 3 to 5 months of age. They raise and tend to the hatchlings in the salt water ponds of the resort, and over 200 have been released in the previous 22 years of celebration.

The Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle is Hawaii’s only indigenous reptile. Living in the islands long before the arrival of Humans, the ancient Hawaiians appreciated their grace and beauty. Deemed as a sacred creature representing spiritual energy, good luck, and peace. We should treat them the same way!

Adult Green Sea Turtles were sacred to the Native Hawaiians, and we should treat them with the same respect!

The two biggest threats to sea turtles are humans, and a disease known as Fibropapillomatosis. Fibropapillomatosis are tumors which grow on the skin of turtles due to exposure to pollution… from humans. Thankfully there are programs like Turtle Independence Day to counteract losses from human influence.

Celebrate Turtle Independence Day!

The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows invites you to join in their Turtle Independence Day festivities and celebrate the lives of these beautiful creatures. There will be a barbeque, and a chance to learn more about this beautiful creature.

Check out this recent blog post highlighting beach cleanups and how they can help save the lives of sea turtles.

If you would like the chance to see a Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle, check out our snorkeling adventures and our stop at “Turtle Beach” on Oahu’s North Shore.

Have an amazing Fourth of July, and don’t forget to think about celebrating Turtle Independence Day also!

Aloooha!

About the author

Born and raised on the island of Oahu, Alex Tolhurst majored in Journalism at San Diego State University. His favorite hobbies include: surfing, snorkeling, playing guitar, and anything that goes fast.