About Us

Malama na Honu

Mission Statement

To protect Hawaiian sea turtles through education, public awareness and conservation, all in the Spirit of Aloha.

Who We Are

Mālama i nā honu (Protect the Turtles) is a tax-exempt non profit entity that was created in 2007 to become the successor to the “Show Turtles Aloha” campaign originated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Marine Turtle Research Program in 2005. Our organization is made up of over 95 dedicated and knowledgeable volunteer “Honu Guardians” who are on the beach every day of the year to prevent intentional and inadvertent harassment of the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles as they bask peacefully on the beach and to provide educational outreach to the public by imparting facts about the turtles, explaining their behaviors and creating an awareness of the ongoing need to protect this “threatened” species.

Persons interested in helping the Honu at Laniakea may do so through donations, symbolic Honu adoptions or by volunteering their time at the beach. 

BOD 2022

Board of Directors


Don Porter

President; Fund Raising Chairman

Lolita Ayala

Treasurer

Tammy Tootell

Secretary

Debbie Herrera

Board Member; Volunteer &
Education Coordinator

Kelly Hardy

Board Member

Erynn Tait

Board Member

Tim Wesely

Board Member

Consultants


Joanne Pettigrew

Founder & Historian

Jim Kennedy

Director Emeritus

HONU GUARDIANS

Noteworthy Service by Mālama i nā honu Beach Volunteers

Most Lifetime Beach Hours Protecting the Honu & Educating the Public - 3/31/23
1. Janis Honda 4,521
2. Debbie Herrera 3,449
3. Sonny Sampaga 2,889
4. Don Porter 1,994
5. Joe Murphy 1,772
6. Bev Murphy 1,729
7. Jan Shea 1,616
8. Donna Orr 1,598
9. Gayle Kriese 1,522
10. Bruce Beck 1,432
11. Vicki Dela Cruz 1,405
12 Jim Kennedy 1,258
13. Joanne Pettigrew 1174
14. Laura Luger 997
15. Debbie Zitkovich 991
16. Tim Wesely 986
17. Chuck Roberts 846
18. Cheryl Kojima 839
19. Luanna Meyer 830
20. Lolita Ayala 780
Most 2023 Beach Hours Protecting the Honu & Educating the Public - 3/31/23
1. Bruce Beck 110
2. Tim Wesely 98
3. Janis Honda 93
4. Debbie Herrera 91
5. Jerry Manka 78
6. Patty LaBelle 77
7. Mo (Marissa) Danta 62
8. Sadie Hausman 55
9. Ryan Siu 41
10. Kristin Schou 39
11. Kendra Morgan 38
12. Lori Daugherty 36
13. Rita Metzinger 36
14. Sarah Hanley 36
15. Austin Schou 33
16. Nicole Coggin 32
17. Jennifer Baldwin 28
18. Sarah Misell 28
19. Robin Kisala 28
20. Cathy Haupt 24
20. Megan Baumer 24