Monk seal births second pup at Kaimana Beach

Kaiwi the Hawaiian monk seal gave birth to a pup at Kaimana Beach in Waikiki Friday morning.

Officials have cordoned off the endangered monk seal mom and pup, and remind the public to keep a respectful distance from the pair as they bond and nurse along the popular shoreline.

Volunteers from the Hawaii Marine Animal Response, a non-profit marine species conservation and response organization, are monitoring the pair.

This is Kaiwi’s second pup born at Kaimana Beach, about two years after the first.

On April 26, 2021, Kaiwi, also known by her tag number RK96, gave birth to a pup at Kaimana Beach, which is one of her favorite hangout spots. Students at Halau Ku Mana, a local Hawaiian immersion school, named that pup Loli‘i.

This is 12-year-old Kaiwi’s fifth pup, with Loli‘i being her fourth. She previously gave birth to three other pups along the Kaiwi coastline, where she herself was born.

Although Rocky, or RH58, the celebrity seal that became famous for giving birth to a pup at Kaimana in 2017, made an appearance at Kaimana Beach earlier this month, she had just given birth to her 14th pup, Koalani, in July.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says a collaborative team of members will be on the beach daily to provide information about the mom and pup to the public.

NOAA is also working with state and local partners, including Honolulu Ocean Safety and the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources to coordinate support for the seals. DLNR’s Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement will conduct periodic checks at Kaimana Beach throughout the nursing period, which is expected to last five to seven weeks.

NOAA recommends maintaining a distance of at least 50 feet from monk seals on land and in water. For monk seal moms and pups, NOAA recommends a distance of at least 150 feet.

Mother seals can be very protective of their pups, are more likely to exhibit territorial behavior around them, and can bite humans perceived as a threat. NOAA strongly recommends the public use other beaches available nearby for recreation at this time.

“For their safety and yours, please stay behind any fencing or signs and listen carefully to the instructions of officials on site,” NOAA officials had warned after Kaiwi’s first pup at Kaimana Beach was born.

Hawaiian monk seals give birth throughout the year, according to NOAA, but peak pupping season is March through August. Monk seals typically nurse their pups for five to seven weeks.

With only about 1,500 left in the wild, Hawaiian monk seals are one of the most endangered seal species in the world and are protected by state and federal laws. Under Hawaii law, the harassment of a monk seal is considered a Class C felony, punishable by imprisonment and fines.

NOAA has a marine wildlife hotline to report sightings and animals in distress at 888-256-9840.