Beach birth: Hawaii blocks some Waikiki sands for seal pup
HONOLULU — The birth of an endangered seal at one of Hawaii’s most popular tourism hubs is highlighting the tension between protecting the islands’ fragile ecosystems and maintaining access to the pristine white-sand beaches that attract millions of visitors each year.
Hawaii officials this week fenced off a large stretch of a popular Waikiki neighborhood to protect the Hawaiian monk seal, named Kaiwi, and her days-old pup.
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Kaimana Beach is next to a mid-sized hotel and is a favorite swimming and sunbathing spot for locals and visitors. Starting six years ago, monk seals have occasionally given birth there, setting the stage for conflict between seal mothers and beachgoers.
Authorities are taking extra care this spring after a California tourist got too close to a mother-pup pair last year, and was pulled underwater by the mother, leaving cuts on the 60-year-old visitor’s face, arms and back.
Officials have cordoned off part of Kaimana Beach when pups were born before, but the protected area this spring is much larger.
When the seals are in the water, law enforcement officers from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources will ride personal watercraft to keep people outside a 50-yard (45-meter) protective area around the animals.
Kaiwi had one other pup at Kaimana two years ago. She gave birth again on April 14, and scientists expect her and her pup to stay together at Kaimana for about 5 to 7 weeks while the baby nurses.
Monk seal mothers are protective of their pups during this period and officials are asking people to stay at least 150 feet (45 meters) away from the pair in the water and on land.
Authorities say it would be best if swimmers frequented one of Oahu’s many other shorelines while Kaiwi is nursing.
It’s “better to select another beach where you don’t have to worry about a seal unexpectedly coming up on you,” said Diana Kramer, regional marine wildlife response coordinator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Keeping people and seals apart will help the pup as it starts exploring the ocean and learning the skills and behaviors it will need.
