LIHU‘E — In an effort to increase awareness of sea turtles during this important time of a turtle’s life, and to enlist the public’s help with proper human behavior around sea turtles, The Kaua‘i Ocean Discovery coordinated the most recent Grab-&-Go Ocean Learning Kits on the topic of sea turtles.
For two sea turtle species in Hawai‘i — the threatened Green Sea Turtle, or honu, and the more rare endangered Hawksbill Turtle, or honu‘ea —, this is nesting season when mature females come ashore on sandy beaches at night to lay about 100 to 120 eggs per nest. The eggs hatch in about 60 days.
The free learning kits will be distributed, June 5 outside the Kaua‘i Ocean Discovery at the Kukui Grove Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and at the Deja Vu Surf Hawai‘i shop next to the Keiki Korner play area from 1 p.m. until supplies are exhausted. Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources aquatic biologist Heather Ylitalo-Ward, knowledgeable in cephalopods, or octopuses, will be leading the in-person distribution outside the Kaua‘i Ocean Discovery.
The Princeville Public Library will distributing the free learning kits from 9 a.m., June 5 while supplies last.
This edition of the Grab-&-Go Ocean Learning Kits contain a variety of learning materials including a 30-page sea turtle coloring book in both Hawaiian and English languages, activity sheets on making turtle models and origami, or Japanese paper folding, turtles, and brochures on honu and honu‘ea that explain how to tell the difference between the two turtles. The kits also include stickers, temporary tattoos, and other goodies.
Kits are specifically for students and families and encourage learning at home, together.
Librarians from the public libraries will also be on hand outside the Kaua‘i Ocean Discovery from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to register young readers for the Summer Reading Program that starts June 1 with a theme of “Tails and Tales.” The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary contributed content to the program.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
I’m very interested in protecting monk seals and green sea turtles