Meet Cheryl

Cheryl King has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in biology/psychology from Southampton College of Long Island University and a Master’s of Science degree in marine biology from Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center.  Being on research teams in South Carolina, New York, Florida, Costa Rica, The Caribbean, Belize, Australia, Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, Cocos Island National Park, and Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge has significantly enriched her background experiences.  Although she is interested in everything ocean-related, she has specialized in Hawaiian endangered species research, rescue and management for the last 20+ years.  She has developed a deep passion for ocean conservation, especially for sea turtles while working closely with them since her first sea turtle job in 1996.    

History & Dedication
Cheryl first learned about sea turtle photo-ID methodologies at the first International Sea Turtle Symposium she attended:  The 19th Annual ISTS, South Padre Island, TX in 1999.  She watched an insightful presentation by Peter Bennett and Ursula Keuper-Bennett about their project monitoring the Honokowai honu: www.turtles.org.  Not realizing how much that presentation would influence the rest of her life then, and as is the way of everyone's life path...  a number of other factors influenced her decision:  Cheryl ended up getting a one-way ticket from Hilton Head Island, SC to visit a good friend on O'ahu in November, 1999.  After visiting Maui from there, she made the permanent move to Maui on January 9, 2000 (her birthday).  She found her first Hawaiian hawksbill on June 23, 2000, named it "'Akahi" (Hawaiian for the number "one", but is now #MUI5 in the catalog), and the rest is history...  She has now documented 40 different Hawaiian hawksbills (not including the many nesters and thousands of hatchlings).      

Along with a trusty Turtle Team of snorkel and dive buddies, the searching for Hawaiian hawksbills and collecting sightings continues to contribute to the scientific knowledge of this critically endangered species.  This resulting statewide photo-ID catalog is a valuable key to understanding them.  This has been a true passion project that has spanned nearly half of Cheryl's life, and it is her kuleana (responsibility) to continue to protect and save sea turtles.  Cheryl is currently on the Board of Directors for the Hawai'i Association for Marine Education and Research (HAMER), our fiscal sponsor, among with many other ocean conservation endeavors working with seabirds and marine mammals.  You can also follow along with her SHARKastics marine debris project: www.SHARKastics.org. 

Mahalo nui loa to all who have contributed sightings and helped along the way!

Where's Nani?
Beyond the science and conservation of all Hawaiian hawksbills, one of Cheryl's goals is to find #MUI34 "Nani" (beauty, glory, splendor).  Nani is pictured at the top of nearly every page on this site, as it was the most "curious" hawksbill we've ever met.  We got to "know" Nani regularly for 32 months in 20012-2014, until we suddenly no longer found this juvenile in the usual spots.  There's still hope that someone will find this special turtle again someday, and submit their Nani photos so we can solve this mystery...
Photos by Anita Wintner, Nani's biggest fan who will be so happy when Nani is found!

Where's 'Oli?
#MUI27 "'Oli" (joy, happiness, pleasure) is another juvenile hawksbill that we use to "know" regularly for ~18 months in 2009-2010.  Our friend Marjorie Tyler, a Maui author and artist, wrote a family story about 'Oli in 2010 (based on our actual adventures).  We recently updated it to include all kinds of educational information, photos by Anita and I, plus Marjorie's beautiful paintings of 'Oli's story.  "Finding 'Oli" is available now!  Please go to the Support Page to learn all about it!
All proceeds will be donated to this project, thanks to the kindness of Marjorie and Sharon Lund's publishing company.  
Mahalo nui loa!

Every hawksbill has a story, so click here to read about some of them.

Don McLeish's photo of Cheryl and #MUI21 "Melinda", a hawksbill we've been monitoring since 2007.

We're so grateful for the opportunity to work with such an awesome, dedicated Turtle Team!  
Join us if you like to have fun while making a difference...