HONOLULU — Citing the failure of past efforts to keep people away from Rocky, the Hawaiian monk seal that has been nursing a pup at Kaimana Beach, the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resource Enforcement announced in a news release that it will enforce a 50-yard cordon at Kaimana Beach, effective Thursday morning.

What You Need To Know

  • DOCARE will enforce a 50-yard cordon at Kaimana Beach, effective Thursday morning

  • The move comes after two incidents in which Rocky, the Hawaiian monk seal that is nursing a newborn pup at the beach, attacked people who came near her 

  • Representatives from several agencies, including DOCARE and the City’s Ocean Safety Division, have repeatedly reminded people to stay away from the Hawaiian monk seals

  • There will be a 24-hour law enforcement presence in the area for the next two to three weeks, when Rocky is expected to wean her pup 

Representatives from DOCARE and DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources, NOAA Fisheries and the City’s Ocean Safety Division and Department of Parks and Recreation have all advised many people who have gotten too close to the Hawaiian monk seals. On July 24, a 60-year-old woman who was swimming in the area was bitten by Rocky, resulting in minor injuries. On July 30, the mother monk seal chased a man. The City has increased its lifeguard patrols of Kaimana Beach following the recent incidents.

Throughout the three weeks that the Hawaiian monk seals have been at Kaimana Beach, there have been calls for the beach to be closed, added citations and increased outreach and education — all in an effort to keep people away from the monk seals.

“Awareness and safe behavior is of critical importance,” said DOCARE Chief Jason Redulla via news release. “Would you think twice about standing next to a grizzly bear in Yellowstone? Why does anyone think it’s okay to be near a more than 400-pound animal, that in the water can reach you in seconds?

“Government agencies have maintained both official and volunteer presence and signage since the pup’s birth, but these have failed to deter a number of people from approaching the monk seals, creating a dangerous situation. We know people want to see them, but for everyone’s safety and the protection of the seals we will have a 24-hour law enforcement presence at Kaimana until the pup weans in two-to-three weeks.” 

Rocky is frequently found at Kaimana Beach. However, when she returned to the area in July, it was only the second time she has given birth at the Waikiki locale. She has previously given birth to Kaimana — the first monk seal known to have been born at Kaimana Beach — in 2017. The rest of Rocky’s 14 pups were born on her home island of Kauai.

In its news release, DLNR acknowledged that Kaimana Beach is popular with beach-goers. However, it assured the public that the cordon is temporary, as Rocky and her pup are expected to move on after weaning.

Lianne Bidal Thompson is the digital producer for Spectrum News Hawaii. She writes about community and general news.