A Hawaiian monk seal born on Mokulua Nui in in 2018 has delivered her first pup, named Wailea (RJ30), on the same islet.
In 1932, the Mokulua Islets were set aside as Wildlife Sanctuaries through Executive Order 532 for the “protection of bird, animal and vegetable life.”
Hawaiian monk seals are critically endangered animals with an estimated1,600 left in the world.
Mokulua Nui is particularly challenging, as the island is offshore from Kailua and a popular destination for kayakers. On Friday, the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) suspended all Mokulua Islet Commercial Landing Permits.
Staff from DOFAW, the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), NOAA Marine Fisheries Service, and HMAR are partnering to let people know that landing on the beach at the island is currently prohibited. Staff and volunteers are recommending that boaters don’t land anywhere on the islet to ensure the seal and her pup are not harmed or disturbed and due to unimproved and unsafe conditions outside the resting area.
Signs, detailing NOAA’s “Seal Resting Area” guidelines are already up at Moku Nui and additional signage warning about beach landings will be placed this week. Biologists say having kayaks coming and going from the islet will likely disturb the mother seal and her pup and thus could be considered a ‘take’ of a protected species which is prohibited by both state and federal law.
DLNR Photo