By KARIN STANTON
The Associated Press

KOHALA COAST, Hawaii

With a couple of strong flaps of their flippers, five green sea turtles tasted freedom for the first time Friday along the Kohala Coast.

The five juvenile turtles - Kawaikonaonalani, Kapuailohia, Keawe, Hilo and Mii - were released into the Pacific Ocean from the beach at Mauna Lani Resort as hundreds of visitors and residents lined up to bid them farewell.

The turtles, which are protected under the endangered species act, were bred in captivity and deemed big enough and healthy enough to take part in the 19th annual Turtle Independence Day Celebration, a partnership between the Mauna Lani Resort and Oahu's Sea Life Park.

"These guys are ambassadors of their species," said George "Keoki" Balazs, a marine turtle researcher with the National Marine Fisheries Service Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center. "It's a matter of getting people to realize living creatures and wild areas are something we need in our world."

After a final health checkup and a microchip identification implant, the 1-year-old and 2-year-old turtles were ferried in slings by young volunteers down to water's edge where they were launched into the shallows.

The Opdycke family, of Waimea, helped set Hilo free.

"It was really strong - those flippers, man," said Jordan Opdycke.

His mother, Linda, said it was a special family moment before Jordan heads off the Southern Oregon University.

"He's our last one, so we'll be empty nesters soon," she said. "It was very symbolic for us."

The babies were born at Sea Life Park on Oahu and raised at the Mauna Lani Resort's saltwater ponds.

Since 1989, the Turtle Independence Day program has released more than 125 juveniles into the wild.

U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, said the program has helped the green sea turtle, or honu, population rebound.

"Today reminds us of our responsibility to respect and care for the ocean and its creatures," he said. "In Hawaii, we have a unique endowment that we should share."

Decades ago, green sea turtles were hunted for sport and for food. That changed in 1978, when the turtle was added to the federal endangered species list and it became a crime to kill or harass them.

"It was 36 years ago that I wondered if we should be taking as many," Balazs said. "Now this year has been the best nesting season we've ever seen on the breeding grounds at the French Frigate Shoals. If you leave 'em alone, they'll recover."

After the five turtles flipped their way into the ocean, Sarah DeRensis had one word for the experience.

"Astonishing," said the 9-year-old, who is on a family vacation from Point Pleasant, N.J. "I like the water but I've never seen baby turtles before. I really liked how they just swam out straight away and I liked their names and they all kind of look the same but they look good. They look like they are happy to be free."

The Mauna Lani Resort educates hundreds of school children each year through its cultural and marine programs.

Sea Life Park by Dolphin Discovery is in East Oahu and offers a variety of shows, exhibits and educational programs.

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