Wildlife
We have many endangered species here. Most likely you'll get to see some: Whales, monk seals, sea turtles or nene. Please help us to protect them.
Whales
Whales face dangers from high speed ships. Most of our ships including whale watches and small boats go slowly and although there may be bumps, ususally the whale survives.
The Hawai'i Superferry is a notable exception since it has special dispensation to go up to 37 knots when everyone else is restricted to 10 knots in the Humpback Whale Sanctuary. For that reason, we recommend that you do not take the Superferry. Even if it doesn't kill a whale on your trip, you'll contribute to keeping it in business so that it will kill whales on other days.
Whale watch boats are required to stay 100 yards from whales and stop and disengage their props when a whale is closer. Most are very good about this.
Monk Seals ('iIlio-holo-i-kauaua)
- Do not approach monk seals while on land or in the water. They may approach swimmers, divers or vessels out of curiosity, but in no instance should you approach them. It's actually illegal since this may be considered a form of harassment.
- When it is necessary to pass by a monk seal that has hauled itself on to a beach, it is recommended that you remain a minimum distance of 100 feet away from the seal, so as not to disturb it.
- Do your best to avoid female monk seals with pups, and never come between a mother and a pup.
- Report sightings of injured or sick seals or of harassment by others to the National Marine Fisheries Service in Honolulu at your earliest convenience. The seals will thank you! The number there is: (808) 955-8831.
- Don't touch or move a monk seal pup that is on the beach. Call the number above so that its area can be taped off. Mom will return in a few hours and be really upset if the pup has been disturbed.
Usually someone will have seen the seal and volunteers will have marked off the 100 feet with construction tape. Please care for these seals since there are so few of them and it is really a treat when they come to shore.
Sea Turtles (honu)
Sea turtles are endangered and it is important not to touch them. They have a protective coating over their shell which, if disturbed by your hands, opens them to disease.
Dolphins (Nai'a)
Dolphins, although not endangered, are always a treat. They love to play in the bow wave of the boat. Some people will encourage you to swim with the dolphins. Be aware of two dangers in this. First is that sharks hang around dolphins and may mistake you for their lunch. Second is that male dolphins have been known to get frisky with wahine swimmers.
Nene
The nene is our state bird - a rare, sort of goose-like bird that often gets hit by cars on their way to the summits of Haleakala and other peaks. Please drive slowly and keep your eyes open. It's always a tragedy that makes front page news when we loose one of our nene to a automobile accident.
Mongoose
We wish this animal was on the endangered list! Every island except Kaua'i has it. Someone who just wasn't thinking straight brought them over to kill rats...but guess what? The rats are out at night and the mongoose hunts by day. So what does the mongoose eat? Our birds. Which is why we've lost almost all of our indigenous birds. Don't feel bad if you accidentally squish a mongoose. You've struck a blow for our avian friends.
Feral Cats
Another killer of our endangered birds. Feral cats breed many times per year and have no natural enemies. Please never just dump a cat. Take it to the Humane Society instead. Better yet, be sure to spay and neuter your pets!
mosquitos
Hawai'i had no mosquitos until the whalers got upset at the missionary governor, smuggled in mosquito larvae and put it in the pond in Lahaina. Now we have waaaaay too many mosquitos. It is important to use mosquito repellant if you are going to Hana or another wet area. mosquitos carry Dengue Fever and West Nile Virus.
Fortunately, on Maui, we have a terrific Health Officer, Dr. Lorin Pang, who is so totally on top of any Dengue outbreaks that he completely shut down our last Dengue outbreak.
But don't take chances. Use mosquito repellent when going to wet areas! We swear by Avon Skin So Soft. (And we are in no way connected to them)