The Hawaiian green sea turtle, known as the honu, is seen here drifting with the ocean currents in a coral reef among schools of manini and kole. Ecologically, the green sea turtle plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy coral reef ecosystems by grazing on algae and seagrass, which helps prevent overgrowth and promotes biodiversity. Despite their cultural and ecological importance, honu populations have faced challenges from habitat loss, pollution, and historical over harvesting. Today, conservation efforts and legal protections have helped their numbers rebound, allowing the honu to continue its vital role in Hawai‘i’s marine environment and to remain a part of the cultural land and seascapes.
- David Shepard