This film is about Hawaiian sea turtles. Sea turtles are called “Honu” in the Hawaiian language. Honu has been cherished as sacred creatures. In Hawaiian culture, the Honu is considered as a symbol of longevity, safety and spiritual energy known as ‘Mana’. In Hawaiian culture, people have believed that their presence brings good luck and peace. For some families, the Honu is also considered as a form of ‘aumakua’ that means an ancestral spirit offering lifelong protection, wisdom and guidance. Laniakea Beach on the Oahu’s North Shore is known as Turtle Beach because many Hawaiian green sea turtles call it home beach. These are unique behaviours of Hawaiian sea turtles there. First, they come to the cove to feed on Limu, Polynesian term for edible plants living around water such as seaweed and algae at the shallow area. Secondly, they come out from the water and bask on the beach. Only Hawaiian green sea turtles routinely bask on the beach. Although, recently we can see many turtles in Hawaii, they are still a threatened species and are protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act and Hawaii state law. Local volunteers are on the beach everyday and protect the turtles from intentional and inadvertent harassment from humans and give visitors educational outreach. Today, the relationship between people in Hawaii and Hawaiian green sea turtles continues in this way so that the turtles can return to Laniakea beach tomorrow again.
A local organization called Mālama i nā honu protects “Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles through education, public awareness and conservation, all in the Spirit of Aloha”
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