Hilton Waikoloa Hotel

 2/7/2023

The HPA STRP  team went to the Hilton Waikoloa Lagoon to capture and tag turtles that live in there.  There are a number of turtles that are resident in the lagoon and gather around the waterfall area and feed on algae that comes out of the boat channels.  Pictures taken by George Balazs shows how the propellers from the boats breaks the Caulerpa loose so that it can make its way to the water-fall and "into the turtles' mouths".

During the day, Laura Jim, Sihkea Jim and participating students were able to capture 14 green turtles (honu) during the day.  We weighed, measured, moto-tooled and process these fourteen honu and quickly released them back into the lagoon.  Within an hour or two of release (probably even sooner) we observed some of our numbered turtles over at the water-fall feeding on the Caulerpa coming from the boat channel.

The boats that transport the hotel guests to the outer reaches of the hotel's property.  The propellers of the boats knock the algae (Caulerpa sp.) growing in the channel.

The lose algae washed down the channel to the waterfall where it drops into the lagoon.  There are always honu waiting there to gobble up the free meal of green algae (Caulerpa sp.),

Some images of our work today:

There were 10 STRP trained student participating in the work today.  They all were very professional and competent in processing the honu and getting them back into their habitat in short fashion.

 

The HPA student STRP team (one student, Emma, had to leave early).

The Hilton Waikoloa Lagoon where honu gather to feed on the algae coming over the waterfall in the background.

Our work area on the beach of the lagoon. 

Preparing sampling equipment and explaining procedures and jobs.

Maintaining control of a small honu on the examination table.

Bringing a honu to shore for measuring.

Carrying a honu up to the work table.

 

Releasing a honu after it has been measured and tagged.

HA165 feeding shortly after it was released by the research team.  The capture and examination really doesn't affect them for very long- they shortly go right back to what they were doing before capture.

The HPA capture team, led by Ms Jim (mid-right side).

The Hilton honu are very well fed and quite robust looking.

Another honu released.

Nearing the end of the work day.  Talking story and sharing information with visitors.