WAIMANALO, Hawaii — In celebration of the 50th anniversary of its Honu Conservation Program, Sea Life Park Hawaii is launching “Year of the Honu,” a year-long celebration that kicks off with a Keiki Day on Jan. 14.

What You Need To Know

  • On Jan. 14, Sea Life Park will partner up with nonprofit 808 Cleanups and invites the public to lend a hand in a beach cleanup at adjacent Kaupo Beach, from 8 to 10 a.m.

  • Volunteers will get free admission to Sea Life Park for the remainder of the day

  • Back at the park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Year of the Honu Keiki Day fun will feature educational opportunities about the honu

  • Cleanup volunteers can register and complete an online waiver in advance at the 808 Cleanups website or onsite at the beach

“Through the support of dedicated community partners, agencies, educators and volunteers, the future has grown brighter for the Hawaiian green sea turtle,” said Michelle Benedict in a news release. Benedict is the aquarist supervisor at Sea Life Park.

“As the park’s Honu Conservation Program marks 50 years, it’s a perfect time to celebrate this hui for honu advocacy and to further the public’s awareness about the need to protect and respect one of Hawaii’s most recognizable marine animals,” said Benedict.

On Jan. 14, Sea Life Park will partner up with nonprofit 808 Cleanups and invites the public to lend a hand in a beach cleanup at adjacent Kaupo Beach, 8 to 10 a.m. Buckets and supplies will be provided to volunteers to clear the shoreline of marine debris. Immediately afterwards, all are invited to watch as honu from the Honu Conservation Program are released into the ocean.

The honu release immediately follows the beach cleanup at 10 a.m. on Jan. 14. (Photo courtesy of Sea Life Park Hawaii)

Volunteers will get free admission to Sea Life Park for the remainder of the day.

Back at the park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Year of the Honu Keiki Day fun will feature educational opportunities about the honu from the park’s Education and Animal Care teams, as well as from nonprofits such as Malama I Na Honu, Waimanalo Limu Hui and others.

On that day, each paying adult can bring up to two keiki for free. No reservations are required; just mention “Keiki Day special” at the ticket office.

According to Sea Life Park, its Honu Conservation Program has released over 17,000 turtle hatchlings into the wild and provided education about honu and their importance in the reef ecosystem.

Cleanup volunteers can register and complete an online waiver in advance at the 808 Cleanups website or onsite at the beach.

Sea Life Park will be planning additional festivities and educational events for its “Year of the Honu” celebration.

Sarah Yamanaka covers news and events for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.