Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
One of the Pacific's most endangered marine creatures is the Hawaiian monk seal,
named for both the monastic cowl-like fold of skin at its neck and its solitary habits.
Having migrated to the islands over 10 million years ago, the Hawaiian monk seal has
evolved into a unique species that has been called a 'living fossil.' The Hawaiian name
for the animal is ʻilio holo kai, meaning ʻthe dog that runs in the sea.' Adults are over 7ft
and 500lb of tough, some with the scars to prove they can withstand shark attacks. Once
nearly driven to extinction, their population today numbers just over 1000.
Although monk seals once bred primarily in the remote Northwestern Hawaiian Is-
lands, recently they have begun hauling out on beaches on the main islands. According to
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), people are now the
biggest threat to the survival of Hawaiian monk seals. Humans who disturb seals that
have hauled out on beaches to rest, molt or breed drive down an already endangered pop-
ulation. Federal guidelines advise staying back at least 50yd and avoiding all human-seal
interactions. Areas of the beach around a hauled-out seal are often roped off to prevent
close approach.
The Last Atoll: Exploring Hawaiʻi's Endangered Ecosystems , by Pamela Frierson, fas-
cinatingly narrates explorations of the most remote points of the Hawaiian archipelago -
it's the next best thing to sailing to Papahānau-mokuākea Marine National Monument
yourself.
Marine Wildlife 911
» Report Hawaiian monk seal sightings to NOAA's Fisheries Service by calling
(808)
220-7802.
» If you notice an entangled or injured seal or dolphin, or a whale or a dolphin swimming
in very shallow ocean water, stay back and call the NOAA hotline at (888) 256-9840.
» If you spot an obviously sick or injured, stranded or dead sea turtle, keep your distance
and call
(808) 983-5730, or
(808) 288-5685 outside of normal business hours.
Tropical Fish
Hawaii's coral reefs constitute 84% of all US reefs, and they are home to over 500 fish
species, of which over 20% are endemic. Protected coral reefs teem with vast numbers of
tropical fish: bright yellow tangs, striped butterflyfish and Moorish Idols, silver needle-
 
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