HONOLULU — Kaiwi returned Wednesday morning to Kaimana Beach to give birth to a pup.

What You Need To Know

  • Monk seal pups born at Kaimana Beach have drawn crowds and two years ago a woman swimming in the ocean was attacked by a monk seal mother

  • In order to protect both humans and monk seals, officials have fenced off most of the beach 

  • Once the pup starts swimming in the ocean, DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officers will be assigned to watch the area around-the-clock

  • Lifeguards with the City and County of Honolulu Ocean Safety Division will also make announcements when people need to leave the water

This is the third time Kaiwi has given birth at Kaimana Beach. She has also given birth to another three pups, along her namesake — the Kaiwi Coast in East Oahu. 

In the past, monk seal pups born at Kaimana Beach have drawn crowds. But this time, federal, state, county agencies and nonprofits are prepared. Their mission is to keep both humans and monk seals safe, according to a Department of Land and Natural Resources news release.   

The mother and pup will be together for up to seven weeks. The plan is to give them lots of undisturbed space, according to Kilali Gibson, the Oahu marine wildlife response coordinator for NOAA Fisheries. She encouraged people to stay behind the large perimeter set up by Hawaii Marine Animal Response and to swim at a different beach. 

“We’re so excited for the birth of another pup,” said Gibson. “These seals are some of the most endangered seals in the world, so each new pup is vital to the population.”

Once the pup starts swimming in the ocean, DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officers will be assigned to watch the area around-the-clock.  

DOCARE Chief Jason Redulla said they will monitor people entering and exiting the ocean through a corridor that will remain despite the fencing off of most of the beach. When the seal pair is in the water, officers will ride on personal watercraft and warn people to exit the ocean. 

“Anyone who does not heed the warnings could be cited for obstructing a government operation,” said Redulla. 

Lifeguards with the City and County of Honolulu Ocean Safety Division will also make announcements when people need to leave the water. 

In 2022, Rocky, another monk seal mom, gave birth to a pup at Kaimana Beach. A 60-year-old California school teacher, who was not aware that the monk seals were in the water, was seriously injured when she encountered Rocky and her pup while swimming. Mother monk seals are especially protective of their offspring. 

As a result, last year, officials enhanced safety measures after Kaiwi gave birth at Kaimana Beach.

This is the fifth time a monk seal has given birth at the popular Kaimana Beach since 2017. Rocky gave birth twice at the beach. In 2021, Kaiwi gave birth for the first time at Kaimana Beach. 

Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.

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