The Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle (known as "Honu" in Hawaiian) can be seen on and in the surrounding waters of the Hawaiian island chain. An average adult green turtle has a length of 40 inches and can weigh from 200-500 lbs. Once there were millions of green sea turtles around the world. Now there may be fewer than 200,000 mature females worldwide. In Hawaii, the green turtle is a threatened species. Only 100 to 350 females nest each year, principally at French Frigate Shoals in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
Fortunately, over 90% of nesting activity for the Hawaiian green turtle population occurs at the French Frigate Shoals, inside a National Wildlife Refuge System administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This, combined with its threatened status under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, has created an environment in which the Hawaiian green turtle should prosper. Unfortunately, the Hawaian green still faces severe threats, most notably fibropapilloma tumors and degradation of foraging habitat. Current Hawaiian green turtle population levels are still thought to be below pre-western contact, and probably pre-World War II levels as well. In 1992, the estimate of mature female green turtles associated with the French Frigate Shoals was set at roughly 750.
Green Sea Turtle Facts:
For more information about the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle and other local marine life, check out NOAA.
At Private Tours Hawaii, we recommend viewing Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles from a safe distance on the island of Oahu and throughout the Hawaiian Island Chain.
- Hawaiian green sea turtles are listed as threatened.
- Found throughout the Hawaiian Archipelago, a range of about 1500 miles
- A gentle vegetarian, feeding almost exclusively on algae
- The most valuable of all reptiles, they were once killed for their skins, calipee, meat and shells, but are no longer hunted in Hawaii
- In parts of Hawaii (Honokowai) more than 90% of the green sea turtles are afflicted with fibropapilloma tumors
- The largest of the hard-shelled marine turtles: common adult weight of 250 lbs and length of over 3 feet
- Hatchlings: 4-5 cm in length
For more information about the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle and other local marine life, check out NOAA.
At Private Tours Hawaii, we recommend viewing Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles from a safe distance on the island of Oahu and throughout the Hawaiian Island Chain.
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