Download the Bellows Air Force Station Threatened, Endangered & Invasive Report Form to report Hawaiian Sea Turtle nests and Hawaiian Monk Seal sightings.
HAWAIIAN GREEN SEA TURTLES
GREEN SEA TURTLE-NESTING SEASON: April – September, most active in June – July
GREEN SEA TURTLE HATCHLING SEASON: July – December
Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu) are the largest hard-shelled sea turtle in the world, and native to the Hawaiian Islands.
For more information: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/species/sea-turtles/
WHAT TO DO IF YOU SEE A NESTING TURTLE OR HATCHLINGS ON THE BEACH:
NO FLASH: DO NOT use a flash when taking pictures of turtle nestings.
DARK CLOTHING: Wear dark clothing and use only ambient light (natural light, starlight, moonlight) while sitting on the beach at night.
NIGHT VISION SCOPE & RED FILTER LIGHT: Night-vision scopes or flashlights with a red filter may be used to observe sea turtles from a distance at night. Use of artificial lights for video or still photography is PROHIBITED.
RESPECT FENCED AREAS: These may contain vulnerable nesting sites.
SILENCE: Noises can frighten or disrupt the turtle.
50 FEET: Individuals must stay a minimum of 50 feet away from a nesting female AT ALL TIMES, including as she returns to the ocean.
CLEAR PATH: Maintain a clear path for the nesting female to return back to the ocean. DO NOT impede or detain a turtle hatchling on its way to the sea. DO NOT get into the water with the hatchlings. They have a limited amount of stored energy that will be used to evade predators, swim out to open water, and their next meal.
LIGHT DISORIENTATION: Coastal lighting deters nesting females from coming ashore to nest, and disorients hatchlings when they navigate to the sea. Any artificial light source (photography/videography flash, flashlights, headlamps, exterior building lights) can disorient hatchlings. This is a major threat to hatchling survival.
REPORT: If you see a nesting turtle or hatchlings on Bellows Beach, please call (808) 448-4916.