#Endangered Species
Washington man formally charged by Information with allegedly harassing an endangered monk seal on Maui
United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced that Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, 38, of Covington, Washington, was charged by Information today, May 26, 2026, for allegedly throwing a large rock at the seal’s head, in violation of the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Birth of Hawaiian monk seal pup at Kaimana Beach prompts coordinated safety response
A Hawaiian monk seal pup was born at sunset, Sunday, May 3, on Kaimana Beach, to the 15-year-old female Kaiwi (RK96), who is known to visit Oʻahu’s south shore.
Mānoa: Hawaiian monk seals are far more ‘talkative’ than previously known
A new study from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology has uncovered that endangered Hawaiian monk seals posses a far more complex underwater vocal repertoire than previously known, revealing 25 distinct call types used across the Hawaiian Islands.
Marine Institute to lead Hawaiian monk seal response program on Maui
The Marine Institute at Maui Ocean Center is partnering with the NOAA to strengthen efforts to protect endangered Hawaiian monk seals on Maui.
Permits sought for ongoing Kaheawa Wind Power operations in West Maui
State permits are being sought for another 20 years of operations of Kaheawa Wind Power 1, located above the town of Māʻalaea. The 30-megawatt wind farm’s original 20-year power purchase agreement is set to expire in 2026.
Where it’s at? The Hawaiian hoary bat, ʻōpeʻapeʻa
Wildlife biologists are asking residents to keep a lookout for ʻōpeʻapeʻa, the Hawaiian hoary bat, an endangered species and Hawaiʻi’s official state land mammal, the only land mammal native to the islands. Scientists want to know where it hangs out. Residents can help provide information about ʻōpeʻapeʻa habitat by reporting bat sightings online through iNaturalist, an online platform for […]
HPU partners on study revealing dominant stranding threat to Hawaiian green sea turtles
New research from Hawai‘i Pacific University shows that entanglement in monofilament fishing gear is now the primary cause of injury for stranded Hawaiian green sea turtles.
Rep. Case reintroduces bill to protect coral reef ecosystems from destructive practices
US Rep. Ed Case reintroduces legislation aimed at protecting the world’s coral reef ecosystems by restricting the import of protected ornamental reef fish and coral species collected through destructive practices.
Study: Marine debris cleanup efforts benefit marine life at Papahānaumokuākea, reduce seal entanglements
Nearly 90 Hawaiian monk seals were entangled in ghost nets between 2006 and 2014 in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
Maui County issues violation for debris, warning for unpermitted tree-clearing that began as fire prevention
A conservation group said the “illegal” cutting of trees and other vegetation is destroying precious wetlands and habitat for the Hawaiian hoary bat, a state and federally listed endangered species.
Land board authorizes temporary closures of wildlife sanctuaries
In an action inspired by last month’s birth of a monk seal on Mokulua island off of O‘ahu’s windward coast, the Board of Land and Natural Resources approved the temporary closure of wildlife sanctuaries statewide when necessary to protect endangered or threatened species.
Līhu‘e Airport display highlights birds of Kaua‘i – and crews working to save them
The Garden Island Arts Council teamed up with Hallux Ecosystem Restoration, LLC, to create the large window display.
Judge ruling permits release of incompatible mosquitoes to control avian malaria in East Maui
A judge has granted summary judgment in favor of the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and the American Bird Conservancy (ABC), thwarting efforts by an advocacy group to restrain the use of the Incompatible Insect Technique (IIT) to control mosquito born avian malaria on East Maui.
NOAA invites students to enter endangered species Ocean Art Contest
Students in grades K through 12 have been invited to celebrate threatened and endangered species in the Pacific Islands region with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s annual art contest.
Critical habitat protection proposed for Hawaiʻi’s green sea turtles
The US Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries have responded to a legal agreement with environmental groups by proposing to designate approximately 2,233 acres of nesting and basking beaches in the main Hawaiian Islands, with additional areas in the northwestern Hawaiian Islands, American Sāmoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
Great Snail Bail: 8,000 rare Hawaiian land snails moved to larger lab
Thousands of rare, threatened and endangered Hawaiian snails were moved from their home at a trailer in Kailua to a new, lab facility in Pearl City Thursday morning, in a transfer that caretakers have dubbed, “The Great Snail Bail.”
Deadline to apply for Kupu ʻĀina Corps on Maui is June 23
Kupu, a conservation and youth education organization, announced that this is the last week to apply for the 2023-2024 Kupu ʻĀina Corps program on Maui. Kupu is actively seeking host sites and participants to work in sustainability-focused sectors like renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and climate adaptation on Maui.
State seeks removal of feral cat feeding stations because of negative impacts on nēnē
The DLNR has directed the removal of cat-feeding stations located at a Hawai’i Island shopping center, following complaints that the endangered Hawai‘i state bird, the nēnē (Hawaiian goose), are being negatively impacted by the consumption of cat food and close contact with feral cats.
Hawaii Wildlife Fund reviews successes, looks forward to future challenges
Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund co-founder Hannah Bernard is happy with the successes of her groups on Maui and Hawaiʻi islands, including the scores of volunteers who help to clean up marine debris. The nonprofit educational organization is part of a broad movement to protect endangered species, such as the Hawksbill and green sea turtle, and to take measures to maintain clean coastal waters. Maui Now writer Gary Kubota talks to Bernard about Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund’s successes and future challenges in this People of Maui series.
Critical habitat proposed for 12 endangered species, all on Hawai’i Island
Approximately 122,277 acres of federal, state, private, and public lands are being proposed as critical habitat for 12 species, all found only on Hawaiʻi island.
