This information page was made for Coastline Cottages (www.coastlinecottages) in Kauai, Hawaii for their guests. They facilitate a unique vacation experience where tourists, in the comfort of their own comfortable quarters can watch turtles undisturbed in their natural environment. Perfect for seniors or people who have physical challenges accessing waterfront areas. Environmental education has a welcome audience with tourists. This is an area that can hopefully translate to increased awareness and appreciation of local wildlife habitat wherever we are fortunate enough to live or visit.

Aloha and Welcome to Kaua'i

How to Help a Turtle

If you spot what appears to be a sick, injured or dead sea turtle stranded on land, call:

274-3521 or Police Dispatch 241-6711

Or, the Kauai Marine Conservation Co-ordinator 651-7668

• Remember all marine wildlife- sea turtles, seals, dolphins, and humpback whales require distance, quiet, and respect
• Report any wildlife distress or harassment
• Please keep dogs leashed and away from wildlife
• It is illegal to ride a turtle

photo: Olve hoegh-Guldberg, U. of Queensland

Information

Hawaii's green sea turtles, Honu (pronounced hoe-new), are named for the color of their body fat, which is green from the algae that they eat. They are primarily herbivorous.

These turtles migrate as far as 800 miles from their feeding areas along the coast of the main Hawaiian island to their nesting beaches in the Northwestern Hawaiian islands

Factors Affecting Population

• Marine debris - plastics are particularly harmful
• Habitat - coastal development and degradation
• Incidental catch - in fishing gear and discarded nets and lines
• Fibropapilloma - a recent phenomena causing the growth of large bulbous tumours. Turtles do not
• appear to recover once stricken and the exact cause is not known.

• Hunting - prior to the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973, green sea turtles were killed in large numbers for food

• Protection - Thanks to government conservation measures and local citizen support, populations are now showing some recovery. Hawaii's turtles are protected by Federal and International law with fines up to $100,000.00

Enjoy these natural treasures of Kaua'i. Your respect for their well-being and survival will ensure their presence for you next visit and for generations to come