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 & Edu cating the Public - 6/30/23
1. Janis Honda 4,612
2. Debbie Herrera 3,562
3. Sonny Sampaga 2,889
4. Don Porter 2.032
5. Joe Murphy 1,772
6. Bev Murphy 1,729
7. Jan Shea 1,629
8. Donna Orr 1,611
9. Bruce Beck 1,565
10. Gayle Kriese 1,522
11. Vicki Dela Cruz 1,405
12 Jim Kennedy 1,258
13. Joanne Pettigrew 1174
14. Tim Wesely 1065
15. Laura Luger 1,020
16. Debbie Zitkovich 991
17. Luanna Meyer 858
18. Chuck Roberts 846
19. Cheryl Kojima 839
20. Lolita Ayala 793
Most 2023 Beach Hours Protecting the Honu & Educating the Public - 6/30/23
1. Jerry Manka 245
2. Bruce Beck 243
3. Debbie Herrera 203
4. Janis Honda 184
5. Tim Wesely 177
6. Patty LaBelle 131
7. Sadie Hausman 96
8. Rita Metzinger 86
9. Mo (Marissa) Danta 78
10. Kendra Morgan 77
11. Lori Daugherty 72
12. Kristin Schou 71
13. Austin Schou 65
14. Megan Bo Baumer 64
15. Don Porter 59
16. Jennifer Baldwin 58
17. Ryan Siu 57
18. Ashleigh D'Amelio 51
19. Arlene Allen 50
20. Luanna Meyer 49