When you visit Hawai‘i no doubt you will go to the beach to swim, snorkel or simply to enjoy watching the waves of the gorgeous Pacific Ocean. Teeming with life the Pacific is home to many species of animals, some that you may actually encounter along the shoreline. Most prevalent, basking in the sun on the warm sand, are the Green Sea Turtle (Honu, in Hawaiian) and the Hawaiian Monk Seal. The turtles and seals require rest during the day, about two to four hours. These animals need your protection, so don’t get too close, keep a safe distance of 6-7 feet. Don’t feed these marine animals as they have their own diet. And be sure to pick up any trash and throw it away in the appropriate receptacle. Also when you are in the ocean keep your distance from Dolphins and Whales. The reef that is so beautiful to look at while snorkeling is a delicate eco-system, made up of thousands of tiny living animals called coral. Stepping on the coral or breaking off a piece of coral kills the reef and affects the marine animals that depend on it. So do your part… respect the ocean and marine animals by preserving their environment and understanding their habitat.

Learn more. HawaiiStateParks.org.