About Us

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.

Board of Directors

Tammy Tootell

President

Christine Fisher

Treasurer

Erynn Tait

Secretary

Debbie Herrera

Board Member; Volunteer &
Education Coordinator

Karen Cheek

Board Member

Don Porter

Board Member; Fund Raising Chairman

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 - 3/31/2024
1. Janis Honda	4,893
2. Debbie Herrera	3,840.38
3. Sonny Sampaga	2,889
4. Don Porter	2,155.75
5. Bruce Beck	1,822.75
6. Joe Murphy	1,772.25
7. Bev Murphy	1,729.25
8. Jan Shea	1,665.50
9. Donna Orr	1,617
10. Gayle Kriese	1,522
11. Vicki Dela Cruz	1,405.25
12 Tim Wesely	1,280.75
13. Jim Kennedy	1,257.50
14. Joanne Pettigrew	1,174
15. Laura Luger	1,070.50
16. Luanna Meyer	926
17. Chuck Roberts	846
18. Lolita Ayala	806.25
19. Sadie Hausman	694
20. Kelly Hardy	645.50

Most 2024 Beach Hours Protecting the Honu & Educating the Public - 3/31/2024
1. Bruce Beck	116
2. Janis Honda	102.50
3. Christine Fisher	85.25
4. Debbie Herrera	69.25
5. Tim Wesely	65
6. Sadie Hausman	52
7. Don Porter	40.50
8. Rita Metzinger	38.25
9. Stephanie Sharpe	38.25
10. Ryan Siu	37
11. Lena Park	37
12. Bob Coggins	37
13. Emma Alvarez	34
14. Daniel Fisher	33
15. Karen Cheek	31.25
16. Whitney Mauldin	30.25
17. Diana Alvarez	28.25
18. Sherrie Fabricius	28.25
19. Sheila Mackertich	26.50
20. Kristen Schou	26.50