#RK96

Relocating the latest Waikīkī monk seal pup to protect natural behaviors

Mother seal RK96 (Kaiwi) is expected to wean her pup in the coming days. As the pup nears weaning age, crews are preparing to relocate young seal to a more remote O‘ahu shoreline.

Update: Investigation into rock thrown at monk seal and breaches of seal resting areas

The Department of Land and Natural Resources is investigating social media postings on Instagram that appear to show an adult male throwing an object toward a monk seal while it was swimming in the water off the Lahaina shoreline.

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.

Monk seal pup, Paʻaki is officially weaned

Lei Day pup PO5 (Paʻaki) is six weeks old today, and the young pup is officially weaned, according to an update provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Fisheries division. NOAA Fisheries also confirmed that Paʻaki is a female—which is hopeful news for continued Hawaiian monk seal population recovery.

Baby monk seal arrives on May Day at Kaimana Beach

Early Wednesday morning, Kaiwi (RK96) pupped at Kaimana Beach. This is the third offspring she’s delivered at Kaimana. Her three other pups were born along her namesake—the Kaiwi Coast in East O’ahu.

Hawaiian monk seal gives birth at Kaimana Beach

NOAA Fisheries announced that Hawaiian monk seal Kaiwi has given birth to a pup at Kaimana Beach in Waikīkī on O‘ahu.