Under the cover of a moonlit sky, a familiar hawksbill sea turtle, Orion, hauls herself up the beach with slow, powerful strokes. Now in her fifth nesting season, she begins meticulously carving into the sand, preparing a nest chamber to hold the next generation of hatchlings. One day, they too will repeat this prehistoric cycle.
For nearly three decades, Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund (HWF) has been protecting nesting sea turtles, including the endangered hawksbill, helping to ensure the continuation of this cycle into an uncertain future. As a community-driven nonprofit organization, HWF is dedicated to the conservation of Hawai‘i’s coastal and marine species through research, education, marine debris removal and habitat restoration. On Maui, HWF leads several programs with a strong focus on safeguarding hatchlings and nesting sea turtles, including Dawn Patrol, Night Patrol and Nest Watch.
Dawn Patrol staff and volunteers go out early looking for sea turtle tracks or an indication of a nest that has been laid. The Night Patrol looks for, guards and monitors nesting females. Nest Watch occurs day and night, watching over the nests to keep hatchlings safe from disturbance.
However, the path to stronger sea turtle conservation on Maui has not been without its hardships. In 1993 and 1996, two hawksbill turtles searching for suitable nesting sites at Kealia Beach were tragically drawn off course by artificial lights from the nearby road. Both turtles, laden with eggs, were subsequently struck and killed by passing cars. Though heartbreaking and all too familiar, this incident marked a turning point for sea turtle conservation on Maui. In response, HWF and partnered agencies launched the Sea Turtle Recovery Project to address the many challenges sea turtles face through monitoring, researching, and the protection of nesting hawksbill and green turtles.
Since then, with tireless support from our community, HWF has monitored 154 nests and protected 13,047 hatchlings as they made their way to the ocean. Each nesting season brings stories of resilience and survival, serving as a powerful reminder of the importance of this work. Nonetheless, every step forward is only possible through the dedication of our community. Every volunteer, from students to kūpuna, plays a vital role in our efforts. Join us in helping ensure that turtles like Orion—and even her hatchlings, who may now be finding their way back—continue to return and nest on the beaches of Maui for generations. Learn more or get involved on Maui via wildhawaii.org/get-involved/volunteer.
HAWAI‘I WILDLIFE FUND (nonprofit)
PO Box 790637, Paia, HI 96779
719-332-0218 | alex@wildhawaii.org
wildhawaii.org
