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Save the Sea Turtles receives praise from Make a Difference

USA Weekend and HandsOn network thank Save the Sea Turtles for participation in Make a Difference day 2008.

Letter of Appreciation
Certificate of Participation

GET Exemption Letter

[GET Excemption]
Hi Marlu,

Thank you for coordinating the reward effort for Honey Girl. I thought you might find her bio interesting.

Honey Girl, one of Laniakea's twenty four resident baskers, began regularly hauling out onto the North Shore beach in 2005. As the largest adult female turtle of our Ohana (family), Honey Girl weighed approximately 250 pounds and was about 35-40 years old. Before coming to Laniakea, Honey Girl was known to the marine scientists on East Island in the French Frigate Shoals ( the largest atoll in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands). In 2000 she migrated 500 miles from Oahu to East Island to mate and nest. While there, the researchers implanted a microchip, the size of a grain of rice, into her left hind flipper. This PIT ( Passive Integrated Transponder) has allowed the scientists to identify her throughout the Hawaiian Archipelago , as she migrated from the foraging areas of the Main Hawaiian Islands to the nesting beaches of the Northwest Hawaiian Islands,

Honey Girl was also known by her Hawaiian name of "Hone U'i", because of her exquisite honey amber shell, and L-20, as she was the twentieth turtle to habitually come ashore at Laniakea to bask. Data collected by the dedicated Malama na Honu Honu Guardians reveals that Honey Girl basked on the beach 11% of each year at Laniakea Beach.

On July 19, 2008 Honey Girl was discovered slaughtered at Laniakea Beach. She had been buried in the sand upside down, with a flipper and brest plate maliciously removed. The evening before, this innocent, defenseless turtle had been basking under the full moon.

The outcry of this tragedy has reverberated across the nation and our Malama na Honu fellowship is presently being lifted by a positive and honorable change in tide.

MAHALO and aloha,
Joanne
Malama na Honu Foundation
Educational Outreach Coordinator

Highlights for March 2008 Cleanup

Highlights of the items collected on the March 28th cleanup! Kawailoa - Papailoa to Chun’s Reef Park. (2.5 Miles) on North Shore!

[Cleanup Highlights]

Great Hawaii Cleanup 2009

Adopt A Beach Hawaii and Keep America Beautiful will again join together to do the Great Hawaii Clean Up 2009 along with 3 million volunteers Nationwide. Saturday, March 28th and Saturday April 25, 2009 at noon on the North Shore. Headquarters will be Chun’s Reef at 61-529 Kam Hwy. on the beach.

We are proud to announce that Hickam Air Force is sending 40 to 50 volunteers and we have a Church family group of approx. 30 joining in with us this weekend plus about 15 to 20 tourists and local volunteers. Last month Feb. 28th saw the record broken in 8 years of volunteers; 70 people worked- collected and recorded on the North Shore: 1,900 cigarette buts, 208 plastic bags and 186 bottle caps- just 3 items of the 30 debris items we count and track monthly for 8 years! We are so proud of our volunteers. ALOHA and MAHALO!

[Press Release]

Tax Documents 2007

These are our filings and related documents for 2007.

Beach Clean Up Info and Safety Sheets

These documents should be read be all volunteers, to ensure we have a safe, productive and fun day. Thanks!

[Beach Cleanup Info and Safety Sheets]

Marine Debris Monitoring Program
Adopt-A-Beach Hawaii- Clean-Up Schedule - 2009

Meeting place: 61-529 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, Chun’sReef, (North Shore)

Look for the signs and banners on Kam. Hwy. 1/2 way between Waimea and Haleiwa Town

Time: 12:00 Noon – Last Saturday of the month - Phone:(808) 637-2211 - Fax: (808) 637-5003

Websites: www.adoptabeachhawaii.org & www.seaturtlesinternational.org
*Rain or shine -if safe! *Dangerous waves or flooding will result in cancellation.

All volunteers are provided with a trash bags, gloves and purified water.
*********Please bring a hat, sunscreen and beach shoes.
*Certificates available for school programs and Community service.

January 31stJuly 25th
February 28thAugust 29th
March 28th
Many Mahalos to the 324 Intelligence Squadron Airman's Council, stationed at Hickam Air Force Base!
September 26th
April 25thOctober 31st
May 30thNovember 28th
June 27thDecember 26th


Raffled monthly COMMUNITY Appreciation gifts & certificates from:

Haleiwa Joe’s Restaurant, Breaker’s Restaurant, Cholos Restaurant, Safeway, Surf & Sea, Deep Ecology, Turtle Bay Resorts, Shark Encounters, Wallace Theatres & More!

Sponsored by:

Save The Sea Turtles International, non-profit foundation (STSTI), , Eco North Shore Vacation Rentals & Tours, North Shore.Com & Pioneer Ace Homes Supply, Friends of Hawaii Charities, Aloha Computers, Nani ’O Wai’anae, SurfNetWork & volunteer members.

Marine Debris Monitoring Program

The Environmental Protection Agency and the Center for Marine Conservation developed a national program .The National Marine Debris Monitoring Program was a SIX-year study, now completed and was designed to determine the sources of litter on the beach. STSTI is continuing the program with Adopt-A-Beach Hawaii. The information gained through this program gives researchers in Hawaii a better understanding of Hawaiian trends in the sources and types of Land and Marine litter. For more information on the six year study - see the National Marine Debris Monitoring Program website at www.cmc-ocean.org.

Save The Sea Turtles International (STSTI)

Save The Sea Turtles International Public Foundation sponsors beach clean-ups on the North Shore of Oahu every month for over eight years. We study and document 30 debris items found in Hawaiian Beaches and Highways. Many turtles and other sea life are injured or killed each year in Hawaii and worldwide, due to land and marine man made debris. We are changing that, one beach at a time, with Adopt-A-Beach Hawaii.org. STSTI is also involved in getting recycling on all Hawaii beaches. We have many programs and always need volunteers!

***Certificates & Community Service accredited letters available.


Aloha and Mahalo (Thank You) for Keeping our beaches beautiful!

Prinable calendar [here]
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service invites you to help commemorate the centennial of the Hawaiian Islands Reservation, the nation's largest conservation area.

February 3rd, 2009
5:30pm to 8:00pm
Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
Kilauea, Hawaii

View the invite [here].
NEEDED ITEMS FOR BEACH CLEAN UPS-2009

Due to the larger turn out of volunteers monthly, we are in need of supplies and Community appreciation gifts for Volunteers at monthly raffle after clean ups. Any Donation welcomed. Call for pick up or drop off at above address.

COMMUNITY APPRICIATION GIFTS:
• Lunch and Dinner coupons
• Recycle shopping bags
• Tee Shirts/ Hats/ sarongs
• Paintings
• Stickers
• Towels
• Hawaiian Souvenirs for Tourist that volunteer!
• Gift cards: food/ store
• Children Toys.


SUPPLIES:
• 6 metal trash cans for recycling at beach trash cans stations.
• 15 metal long handle pickers (Ace @ $25 each)
• 10 safety vests (Ace @ $15 each)
• 10 boxes of disposable rubber gloves. All Lg.
• 2 boxes of non latex “ “ “ “
• 6 boxes of 90-gallon plastic bags for our recycle bins.
• 2 sign holders/ Blue Plastic Easels (Toys r Us @ $27 each)
• 10 small sign riders (for change of times and events) $25
• 2 new plastic signs @ $35 each
• 12 plastic clip boards
• 2 dozen pens
• 2 plastic (4 to 6 drawers) drawer organizers
• Cases of Drinking water!
• Color Printing of Calendars
 

Green Sea Turtles at Electric Beach
Mahalos to Jay Corales!

Marine Debris Monitoring Program
Adopt-A-Beach Hawaii- Clean-Up Schedule – 2008-2009

In PDF format, available here.
MARINE DEBRIS AWARENESS MONTH

To raise awareness of the impact of marine debris on marine life, in this 2008 International Year of the Reef, a series of free, public events will take place in October for Marine Debris Awareness Month.  This is a unique opportunity to hear from the leading researcher of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, Captain Charles Moore; to see Algalita Marine Research Foundation film: "The Synthetic Sea Story" and the BBC documentary "Message in the Waves" which inspired many to make a difference; and to hear from local researchers and educators about marine debris and the impact on sea turtles and sea birds.   

The Beach Environmental Awareness Campaign Hawai`i (B.E.A.C.H.) is partnering with the U.H. Sea Grant Hanauma Bay Education Program to present a weekly educational film/lecture series every Thursday evening in October at the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve Theatre.  This series of events are free and open to the public.  Parking is also free after 5:30pm. 

Marine Debris Awareness Month events also include a Marine Debris Forum at the Hawai`i State Capitol and displays of student art work. 

Further details about Marine Debris Awareness Month events:

Films: "Hawai`i – Message in the Waves" and "The Synthetic Sea Story"

6:30pm Thursday 2nd October, 2008 at Hanauma Bay

"Hawai`i - Message in the Waves" is a BBC Natural History Unit documentary that explores the dangers of plastic debris in the marine environment and the threat to marine animals and birds in Hawai`i. For more information visit:  www.messageinthewaves.com

<http://www.messageinthewaves.com/> "The Synthetic Sea Story" is a documentary produced by the Algalita Marine Research Foundation (AMRF) about the threat of plastic debris in the ocean and impact on marine life. The film follows AMRF to the North Pacific Sub-tropical Gyre, Hawai`i and California as they sample and study plastic debris in the ocean and on beaches. For more information visit: www.algalita.org <http://www.algalita.org/>

"Sea Birds as Indicators of Plastic Pollution in the Marine Environment" by David Hyrenbach

6:30pm Thursday 9th October, 2008 at Hanauma Bay

Dr. David Hyrenbach, Associate Professor of Oceanography at the Hawai`i Pacific University will discuss the pervasive problem and impacts of plastic ingestion by seabirds with emphasis on the ecology and habitat of the Laysan and Black-footed albatross.

David Hyrenbach is an Associate Professor of Oceanography at Hawai`i Pacific University College of Natural Sciences.  His expertise is in seabird foraging ecology, the habits of far-ranging marine vertebrates and the conservation of pelagic systems.  His research interests include use of satellite telemetry to understand the ecology of highly migratory pelagic species including marine birds and turtles in the main and Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.  For more information visit his website:  www.pelagicos.net <http://www.pelagicos.net/>

"Marine Debris" by Suzanne Frazer

6:30pm Thursday 16th October, 2008 at Hanauma Bay
Suzanne Frazer, Co-founder of the Beach Environmental Awareness Campaign Hawai`i will discuss marine debris and the work of the Beach Environmental Awareness Campaign Hawai`i (B.E.A.C.H.), an all volunteer organization that is concerned with reducing marine debris on Hawai`i’s beaches through beach clean-ups, litter prevention and environmental education.  For more information visit the Beach Environmental Awareness Campaign Hawai`i website:  www.b-e-a-c-h.org <http://www.b-e-a-c-h.org/>

"Synthetic Polymers Entering the Marine Food Web" by Charles Moore

6:30pm Thursday 23rd October, 2008 at Hanauma Bay

In his talk, Charles Moore, Founder of the Algalita Marine Research Foundation, will explore the consequences of our society’s profligate waste over the last half century, and how it is showing up in the ocean’s food web from the smallest marine animals to the largest cetaceans.  He will explain the unexpected longevity of our waste in the marine environment, how it threatens the ocean’s biodiversity, and what we must do to change the tide of trash inundating our shores.

Charles Moore founded the Algalita Marine Research Foundation (AMRF) in 1994 to study and restore the ocean environment.  Since his discovery of the Eastern Garbage Patch in 1997, he has dedicated his time and resources to understanding and remediating the ocean’s plastic load. For more information visit the Algalita Marine Research Foundation website:  www.algalita.org <http://www.algalita.org/>

"Our Ocean Dumping Grounds:  Consequences and Repercussions for Sea Turtles"

by Regina Woodrom Rudrud - 6:30pm Thursday 30th October, 2008 at Hanauma Bay

Regina Woodrom Rudrud, Maritime and Fisheries Anthropologist, University of Hawai`i at Manoa will discuss the consequences of life for sea turtles within an ocean of marine debris as well as sea turtle biology, behaviour and life history.

Regina Woodrom Rudrud is a sea turtle conservation biologist as well as a maritime and fisheries anthropologist who has studied sea turtles the past ten years in several countries.  Ms. Woodrom Rudrud is a lecturer in the anthropology and biology departments of the University of Hawai`i at Manoa teaching courses which include the biology of marine reptiles.  Ms Woodrom Rudrud also works as an independent contractor for the NOAA Fisheries Marine Turtle Research Program.

Marine Debris Forum

A Marine Debris Forum will held at the auditorium of the Hawai`i State Capitol on Wednesday October 22nd 6:30pm-9:00pm. This free public event will include a panel of speakers, information tables, door prizes and refreshments. Hawai`i State Senator Gary Hooser and Hawai`i State Representative Lyla Berg will attend and welcome everyone.

The panel of speakers includes: Featured speaker - Charles Moore, Founder of the Algalita Marine Research Foundation, Panelists - Regina Woodrom Rudrud, Maritime and Fisheries Anthropologist at the University of Hawai`i at Manoa, Donna Kahiwaokawailani Kahakui, Founder of Kai Makana, Suzanne Frazer, Co-founder of the Beach Environmental Awareness Campaign Hawai`i.

Featured speaker, Charles Moore will present "Zero Waste? The Ocean Can't Wait!".  The program will feature new research findings from the great North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, and ideas on how to deal with pelagic plastics which have become a plague on our oceans.  

For more information about Marine Debris Awareness Month, please visit the Beach Environmental Awareness Campaign Hawai`i website:  www.b-e-a-c-h.org <http://www.b-e-a-c-h.org/>

Marine Debris Awareness Month is being sponsored by Hawai`i International Year of the Reef Campaign, Malama Hawai`i, B.E.A.C.H., UH Sea Grant Hanauma Bay Education Program.

Hawaiian Islands' reef fish declining, study finds

Scientists blame overfishing for the problem, which affects 75% of the species. Subsistence fishermen in coastal communities rely on the fish to feed their families. To read the LA Times article, click here.

Reward Offered for Information Leading to the Arrest of the Person Or Persons Responsible for the Death of Sea Turtle 'Honey Girl'

2007 Report Card

2007 was an amazing year for Save the Sea Turtles International, with turtle rescues, beach and reef clean ups, oceanographic research and educational projects. We give much mahalos to all the local schools and charity groups we partnered with along the way! Also, many thanks to the generous donors and volunteers who made this all possible.

[Read more about it here]

Tiger Sharks vs Turtles

Why does one type of turtle escape hungry tiger sharks, but another doesn't? National Geographic's Crittercam® helps researchers find out how one turtle species stays off the shark's dinner menu.

http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/animals/reptiles-animals/turtles-and-tortoises/shark_tiger_turtles.html

MELE HONU KAI!

Save the sea turtles proudly announces our aquisition of a 40-foot sailboat to be used for research and education about sharks and green sea turtles in Hawaiian waters.

Our 2008 Goals:

• Relocate the boat from Kauai to Oahu.

• Take 3 to 6 months to get 4 to 6 volunteers ready to sail with the boat and be educated on her, to help our children.

• Equip the boat for research on turtles and sharks in Hawaii.

• Take Inter-city children from US, Canada and Mexico and teach them to swim, sail and do research in Hawaii.

[More Photos]
[Insurance and Inspection]

Marine Debris Monitoring Program
Adopt-A-Beach Hawaii- Clean-Up Schedule - 2008

Meeting place: 61-529 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, Chun’sReef, (North Shore)

Look for the signs and banners on Kam. Hwy. 1/2 way between Waimea and Haleiwa Town

Time: 12:00 Noon – Last Saturday of the month - Phone:(808) 637-2211

Websites: www.adoptabeachhawaii.org & www.seaturtlesinternational.org
*Rain or shine -if safe! *Dangerous waves or flooding will result in cancellation.

All volunteers are provided with a trash bags, gloves and purified water.
*********Please bring a hat, sunscreen and beach shoes.
*Certificates available for school programs and Community service.

January 26thFebruary 23th
March 29thApril 26th
May 10th - Welcome Moanalua High School Junior Class
May 31st (Special thanks to LoRee from Kansas!)June 28th - We welcome the 558th Military Police Company
July 26thAugust 30th - We welcome 40 volunteers from the U.S. Navy
September 27thOctober 25th
**Special Event** Winter Surf Pa’ina North Shore Beach Clean Up on Nov. 8 at 8AM. Velzyland to Haleiwa. [more info]
November 29thDecember 27th


Raffled monthly COMMUNITY Appreciation gifts & certificates from:

Haleiwa Joe’s Restaurant, Breaker’s Restaurant, Cholos Restaurant, Safeway, Surf & Sea, Deep Ecology, Turtle Bay Resorts, Shark Encounters & More - Everyone wins something!

Sponsored by:

Save The Sea Turtles International, non-profit foundation (STSTI), , Eco North Shore Vacation Rentals & Tours, North Shore.Com & Pioneer Ace Homes Supply, Friends of Hawaii Charities & volunteer members.

Marine Debris Monitoring Program

The Environmental Protection Agency and the Center for Marine Conservation developed a national program. The National Marine Debris Monitoring Program was a SIX-year study, now completed and was designed to determine the sources of litter on the beach. STSTI is continuing the program. The information gained through this program gives researchers in Hawaii a better understanding of Hawaiian trends in the sources and types of Land and Marine litter. For more information on the six year study - see the National Marine Debris Monitoring Program website at www.cmc-ocean.org. Please join us and make a difference!

Save The Sea Turtles International (STSTI)

Save The Sea Turtles International sponsors beach clean-ups on the North Shore of Oahu every month for over eight years. Thousands of turtles and other sea life are injured or killed each year worldwide due to land and marine debris. We are changing that, one beach at a time, with Adopt-A-Beach Hawaii. We hope the State of Hawaii & UH will take join the program. STSTI is also involved in getting recycling on all Hawaii beaches. We have many programs and need volunteers! Certificates & Community Service accredited letters available. Aloha and Mahalo (Thank You) for Keeping our beaches beautiful!

Mentorship Success Story

Mentoring with Save the Sea Turtles International, Brandon Goo has collated a large body of research on current environmental issues. Topics include Sea Turtles, Hawaii Environmental Legislature and Hydrogen Fuel Cells. His work is available for download here.

Thank you Brandon, for all your hard work!

Jeremy Harris, Brandon Goo and Marlu West

Jeremy Harris, Brandon Goo and Marlu West

NEW SEA TURTLE PICS! CLICK HERE 04-02-2003

    Founder and President of Save the Sea Turtles International

    Save the Sea Turtles international, a public foundation, has fulfilled it's goal as a fist class educational program for the Hawaiian public school program, through the efforts of the Institute for Cultural Ecology.  The interns who helped with this effort are to be commended.  The plan was just a vision until they arrived.  They had a great effect on our growing programs.


Intern returns
Click to enlarge

    I feel that the foundation is now completing the dream of 15 years.  We will be forever grateful to the interns who have worked for us.