HWF's Hawksbill Sea Turtle Recovery Project helps ensure that hundreds of baby turtles make their way safely to the water each year. PHOTO: AIMEE LEMIEUX

MAUI, HAWAII - Summer is sea turtle nesting time here in the islands, when Hawaii's hawksbill sea turtles crawl up onto our beaches to lay their eggs in the warm sand.
   Hawaiian hawksbills are so rare that fewer than 25 females per year are known to nest. To help conserve the species, Hawaii Wildlife Fund provides staff and volunteers to patrol beaches looking for turtle tracks, watch over sea turtle nests, and camp beside the nests until the hatchlings emerge. Our dedicated team members work round-the-clock to protect the tiny hatchlings as they make their dash the sea.
   Cuts to the federal budget are being felt even in Hawaii. Today, government funding for Hawaii Wildlife Fund's turtle conservation projects is at risk. That makes our ability to continue to protect turtles uncertain.
   Won’t you please make a donation to help our Turtle Projects today?

>> Donate

VOLUNTEER OR INTERN WITH HWF
Check calendar below to see how to participate.
Email: interns.hwf@gmail.com or wild@aloha.net

• Hawksbill Sea Turtle Recovery
• Honu Watch
• Internships

CELEBRATE OR COMMEMORATE

In lieu of flowers or a gift, you can donate on our website in the name of an individual, an event or a cause. Proceeds will go to HWF to help ensure a healthier ocean for future generations.
> MAKE A DONATION

Start planning now to join our 2019 Micronesia Expedition
> LEARN MORE

SEPTEMBER 2018 - Ocean pollution and plastics in particular are a global crisis, and we are at a critical juncture in solving the problem. Not only does it threaten the health of the oceans, human health is at risk too. Plastic micro fibers have been found in drinking water and sea salt — even in beer!
   HWF's focus is protecting our native marine wildlife, which depend on the ocean's health to survive. That's why we are fighting ocean pollution with such tenacity.
   This year, HWF team members participated in two international expeditions focused on plastic pollution.

HWF joins voyage in Tahiti to raise awareness of plastic pollution

Sharing knowledge with other island nations, HWF's Magdalena Carey is helping raise awareness about plastic pollution in the oceans.

HWF's Magdalena Carey, joined the Eat Less Plastic voyage in Tahiti aimed at raising awareness about plastic pollution in the Pacific Ocean.

HWF gathers marine debris off Hawaiian beach to create educational sculpture

A giant whale sculpture created with Hawaiian marine debris breaches in a Belgium canal. PHOTO: STUDIOKCA

In May, Hawaii Wildlife Fund's President Megan Lamson traveled to Europe for the debut of "Skyscraper," a life-sized whale sculpture created with marine debris collected by HWF volunteers on Hawaii Island beaches.
   After collecting several tons of marine debris by hand, HWF shipped the matieral across the ocean where artists used it to build this massive-scale whale sculpture, currently displayed in the historic city of Bruges, Belgium.
   "We hope that this project inspires a change in behavior away from many of the single-use products used to create the whale," Lamson said.
> LEARN MORE

Ocean pollution efforts widespread

Hawaii Wildlife Fund's educational programs are teaching the next generation about the detrimental effects that marine debris, especially plastic products, have on our native wildlife and our environment.
   Our efforts are also focused on driving legislative initiatives like Hawaii’s plastic bag ban and its ban on polystyrene – both of which are helping to reduce marine debris.
   While ocean pollution is one of the biggest challenges of this era, we are making progress locally in addressing this threat. Our statewide campaign to protect coral reefs by discouraging the use of oxybenzone in sunscreen resulted in landmark legislation being passed to prohibit that chemical's use in Hawaii.

Saving the health of the planet's oceans will take a global effort. We call on everyone to join our efforts to turn the tide.

Me ke aloha pumehana,
- Hannah Bernard, HWF Executive Director