Hawaiian Hawksbill Sea Turtle

Called Honu in Hawaiian, these endangered sea turtles are frequent visitors to Punalu`u Beach. During the day they come on shore to rest. If you visit this beach please stay at a distance and do not disturb them. The have no immunity against our germs and bacteria so please do not touch them They choose this beach as a nesting site for it's safe and quiet shoreline.

Hawaiian Hawksbill sea turtles feed on sponges, seaweed and algae which grows abundantly in this area. They lay their eggs on shore in the pebbly black sand where they are protected by the government. They were poached to almost extinction and prized for their shell which resembles tortoise shells. Today, pollution and development threaten their habitat. Hawksbill turtles are found all around the world including Australia, the Caribbean and the Virgin Islands. In Hawaii there are only about 70 Hawksbill turtles that stay here year round. 95% of those turtles live here at Punalu`u and the vicinity. Hawksbill Turtles nest between May - November and only between 6 and 15 nest in any given year. The nests have approximately 175 eggs which take about 2 months to hatch. Statistically, only one in 5,000 babies that hatch survive.

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