Maui Ocean Center Welcomes Six Turtle Hatchlings

The Maui Ocean Center welcomed six Hawaiian green sea turtle hatchlings as the newest members of its sea turtle ‘ohana. The hatchlings have joined the 1-year-old Hawaiian green sea turtles that currently reside in the Turtle Lagoon exhibit.

The sea turtles were hatched between August 7th and August 12th, 2016 at Sea Life Park Hawaiʻi.  At just over two months of age, the pocket-sized hatchlings currently weigh between 63-77 grams.

After several weeks of being monitored in quarantine by Maui Ocean Center’s curatorial team, the hatchlings are now ready to meet Aquarium guests.

Maui’s kama‘āina community and visitors are invited to join Aquarium staff and Hawaiian Cultural Advisor Kahu Dane Maxwell in welcoming the hatchlings to the park during a blessing at the Turtle Lagoon exhibit on Tuesday, Nov. 1, at 9:30 a.m.

The hatchlings will be hosted by Maui Ocean Center for the next two years where they will serve as ambassadors of their species.

Hawaiian green sea turtles are classified as a Threatened Species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The presence of sea turtles and their integration into the Aquarium’s education programs aims to teach guests about Hawaiian green sea turtles, the challenges they face, and what people can do to promote conservation.

Two hatchlings will be rotated daily from behind the scenes to the Turtle Lagoon, allowing guests to see the turtles during park hours.

The Aquarium provides guests with a number of educational opportunities and encounters with the turtles, including daily presentations at Turtle Lagoon and bi-weekly Turtle-rrific Thursday presentations.

Guests can also upgrade their admission to include a Behind-the-Scenes Tour to gain access to the Aquarium Lab, see the hatchlings up-close, and speak with the team of curators who raise and take care of the sea turtles.

Turtle hatchlings first evaluation at the Maui Ocean Center.

Maui Ocean Center aquarist measuring turtle hatchling.

Turtle haltchling, initial weigh in.

Turtle hatchling behind the scenes.