Sea Life Park

June 2012

Sea Life Park is situated above Makapu’u Beach Park and is fun for whole family. I worked there two years ago as a bird intern. My friend and I returned to see if any of the wild birds from Rabbit Island decided to nest in the trees at the park. Occassionally the wild birds will come to nest near Sea Life Park’s bird sanctuary for safety.

These wild boobies are so cute that you wouldn’t think about them as a nuisance. These are wild Red Footed Booby Birds. Their disabled cousins at our park do not have the ability to fly or see. Sea Life Park only keeps permenately disabled birds. Birds that are able to be rehabilitated are treated for injuries and then released back in the wild. Sometimes my bosses wondered if the “wild birds” are returnees that were injured. Birds are not stupid. They recognize a good place when they see it.

The Red Footed Booby Birds are endemic sea birds that belong to the Hawaiian islands. The adults have a snow white feather coat whereas the juveniles and hatchlings have a soft brown coat. The soft brown coats help them camoflage into the rocks which protects them from predators. The teenager Booby Birds will slowly lose their brown coloring and begin to change into a speckled white. Much like the old McDonalds icecream cones that were half chocolate and half vanilla.

All boobies like to bite irreguardless of disability or health. I think they sometimes bite just for fun. The birds stand 2 1/2 feet tall and are able to nip at the bum. This was my experience 2 years ago when I worked here. I think they liked to see me jump every time they nipped my bum. Sometimes they would chase me around the yard just to nip me. Wild birds tend to stay away unless there is food involved. They eat fish so fishermen beware!

This particular bird had OCD and was constantly cleaning itself.

I’m not sure how they did it, but Sea Life Park is successfully keeping Green Sea Turtles in captivity. I tend to think that greens are better off in the wild though. Green Sea Turtles eat limu or seaweed. This species does not eat fish. There were no seaweed on these rocks so I’m not sure how the park fed them. I’m guessing that lettuce might be involved since we saw some float in the water.

The turtles had their names painted on their pretty shells.

The park also had a small collection of sting rays. These clever animals followed us around their tank. I am guessing wanted a little snack.

Sleeping Monk Seal

The Hawaiian Monk Seal is endangered in these islands. Their only source of food are the fish and crusteceans they find in the ocean. Often times greedy fishermen will kill the seals in a profitable fishing area just to collect the most lobsters and fish. There have been worries in the biology community that such rash actions compiled with the constant fish and lobster crashes will wipe out the food supply for the seals. Thus resulting in Monk Seal extinction. Which is unfortunate because this species of Monk Seal is only found in the Hawaiian islands and no where else in the world. Implimentation and enforcement of fishing regulations is the only way to protect the fish and lobster populations from crashing. Stabilizing the fish and lobster populations from crashing is the only way to guarantee food for both fisherman and Monk Seals.

I am just one person and there are many greedy fishermen here. I’m sure the Monk Seal Biologists feel the same way. There is generally only one conservation officer working at a time and they have the entire island to monitor. It would be better if the government found a way to hire more conservation officers to look after the place.  Its hard to feel sympathy for humans when they relentlessly and greedily destroy the world around them. This may sound harsh, but I have heard to many stories of fisherman killing Monk Seals just to get an extra fish. Its ridiculous. Humans can raise fish to eat or buy it at the store. Monk Seals only food source is the sea.

As you can tell, the seals at Sea Life Park are quite safe for Monk Seals.

There were also a collection of dolphins at the park too. Dolphins are peculiar because they always look like they are smiling. These dolphins were resting today. The others were bouncing around and jumping during their show. Its hard not to envy all of the dolphin trainers. Who as a child does not want to be a dolphin trainer?

Driving from Waikiki to Sea Life Park Hawaii

1. Take the H-1 East (Lunalilo Freeway) East
2. H-1 becomes Highway 72, continue east through residential area
3. The Residential Area will end, so, continue driving along the coast past Hanauma Bay,       the Blow Hole and Sandy Beach, to Makapu’u Point
4. Sea Life Park Hawaii is located on the left side of the road. You will see the large sign       indicating the entrance from the highway

Bus Directions

Take the 23 from Ala Moana all the way to Sea Life Park. It will be the last stop.

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