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 - 12/31/22
1. Janis Honda 4,428
2. Debbie Herrera 3,358
3. Sonny Sampaga 2,889
4. Don Porter 1,973
5. Joe Murphy 1,772
6. Bev Murphy 1,729
7. Jan Shea 1,594
8. Donna Orr 1,576
9. Gayle Kriese 1,522
10. Vickie Dela Cruz 1,405
11. Bruce Beck 1,322
12 Jim Kennedy 1,258
13. Joanne Pettigrew 1174
14. Debbie Zitkovich 991
15. Laura Luger 980
16. Tim Wesely 889
17. Chuck Roberts 846
18. Cheryl Kojima 839
19. Luanna Meyer 808
20. Lolita Ayala 773
Most 2022 Beach Hours Protecting the Honu & Educating the Public - 12/31/22
1. Bruce Beck 482
2. Janis Honda 423
3. Debbie Herrera 418
4. Tim Wesely 353
5. Cathy Haupt 193
6. Sadie Hausman 191
7. Ryan Siu 164
8. Kaitlyn Kinley 148
9. Megan Baumer 143
10. Jennifer Brennon 136
11. Luanna Meyer 130
12. Don Porter 125
13. Samantha McGowen 120
14. Jennifer Traggorth 104
15. Karen Cheek 103
16. Rita Metzinger 100
17. Kathleen Wesely 96
18. Erynn Tait 93
19. Graceann Ebia 92
20. Arlene Allen 92