The Hawaiian green turtle, also known as Chelonia mydas or “Honu” (pronounced as “hoe-new”), is a powerful symbol of resilience, wisdom, and connection to the natural world. The turtle is not named for its external green coloration but for the greenish color of its fat, found between their inner organs and their shell. The green turtle, found worldwide, has many local names, with “Honu” symbolizing good luck and longevity.
Photo credits: Kathy McCartney
Hawai’i is home to one of the largest populations of green sea turtles along the United States coastline. According to Hawaiian legends, the honu played a role in guiding the first Polynesians to the Hawaiian Islands. The turtle is revered by Hawaiians, and there is a legend of Kailua, a turtle who could transform into a girl. In human form, Kailua would look after children playing on Punalu’u Beach on the island of Hawai’i.
Photo credits: Kathy McCartney
Green sea turtles, like other sea turtles, travel long distances between their feeding grounds and the beaches where they hatch. During the night, female turtles emerge onto the beaches, dig nests, and lay their eggs. Afterward, the hatchlings make their way into the water. If they survive to maturity, green sea turtles can live up to 90 years in the wild. The diet of green turtles changes as they age. When they are young, they are carnivorous, but as they mature, they become omnivorous.
Photo credits:Kathy McCartney
Honu are very special creatures that need our help to survive. They are classified as endangered by the IUCN and CITES, and are protected from harm and exploitation by the law in most countries. In Hawai’i, they are safeguarded by the Endangered Species Act (ESA), as well as the Hawai’i Revised Statutes Chapter 195D (HRS) and Hawai’i Administrative Rules (HAR) 13-124.
Photo credits: Kathy McCartney
If you happen to come across a sea turtle, it would be best to give them plenty of space and respect their environment. Federal guidelines recommend staying at least 10 feet (3 meters) away from sea turtles when viewing them. If you see anyone, or even a pet, disturbing or harming a sea turtle, please don’t hesitate to call the following numbers: NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement Hotline at 1-800-853-1964; Hawaiʻi DLNR’s Division of Conservation Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) Hotline at 1-643-DLNR (3567)
Photo credits: Kathy McCartney
Explore Maui’s top turtle-spotting beaches:
Ho’okipa Beach (North Maui)
Kū’au Bay Beach Park (North Maui)
Black Rock Beach (West Maui)
Slaughterhouse Beach a.k.a. Mokulē’ia Beach (West Maui)
Maluʻaka Beach (South Maui)
