Hawaiian hawksbill sea turtles are one of the most endangered populations on the planet, so they need our assistance to survive.  
Here's how to help!

HIhawksbills.org
Every sighting is very important to this research project!
If you submit photos of a hawksbill that's new to this catalog, you get to name it!

Get involved and make a difference!

Join our Turtle Transect Team!

Do you love to snorkel for hours on end, even in rough conditions, exploring new locations?  One of the ways we search for hawksbills is by conducting 60-minute snorkel transects, covering as much area as possible.  We also clean the reefs (click on the button below to add your cleanup information)!
​Please contact us for more information: HIhawksbills@gmail.com 
NOTE: During these COVID-19 times, we're keeping our close team small to help ensure everyone's safety.  Please contact us about joining once things return to "normal".  Mahalo and stay safe!

Report hookings and entanglements

Sea turtle hookings and entanglements are on the rise due to the increase in fishing and green sea turtle populations.  Hawksbills also get hooked/entangled, which is a serious blow to the population since their numbers are so low:
**read about Squiggles, Dylyana, Nike, and LC  

Please call the statewide hotline (1-888-256-9840) immediately if you see a hooked or entangled turtle, and always fish responsibly!

NOAA

Join our beach cleanups or do your own cleanups!

Marine animals often mistake human trash for food or get entangled in it...
There are many opportunities to make a difference!  
**Ka'ehu Cleanups (Waiehu, Maui):
  • 4th Sunday of every month (9am to noon)
  • Meet at the beach at the end of Kukona Place
  • Wear sun protection, sturdy shoes and bring your reusable water bottle (supplies provided)
  • http://www.sharkastics.org for more info
NOTE: During these COVID-19 times, we're keeping our cleanup crew small to help ensure everyone's safety.  Please contact us about joining once things return to "normal".  Mahalo and stay safe!
​
Click here for other ways to be involved within our
Hawai'i Environmental Cleanup Coalition!

Think about your impact on the reef...

Reef Killer:
​Toxic Sunscreen
Read the label!
SPF sunscreen products that contain oxybenzone or octinoxate
Save the Reef:
Healthy Sunscreen
Read the label!
SPF sunscreen products that contain zinc or titanium oxide
Hawai'i has passed legislation on this hot topic
(banning these products starting January 1, 2021), so your state can too!
Get involved, and vote for the environment!
Have you seen a Hawaiian green sea turtle basking (resting, not nesting) on the beach?  Our ongoing basking beach surveys occur year round.  Hawaiian sea turtles nest in the summertime, and then these nests hatch in the fall (after ~2 months of incubation).  Tauzer is really good at guarding basking turtles, and is so excited for nesting season!  
​Please contact us to find out how to help.  
 
Here's a cute video by the Travel Foundation and Marine Conservation Society
​that describes a lot of the same issues we have here in Hawai'i:

A good summary of why Hawaiian sea turtle conservation gets complicated:

MAHALO!