About Us

Malama na Honu

Mission Statement

To protect Hawaiian sea turtles through education, public awareness and conservation, all in the Spirit of Aloha.

Who We Are

Mālama i nā honu (Protect the Turtles) is a tax-exempt non profit entity that was created in 2007 to become the successor to the “Show Turtles Aloha” campaign originated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Marine Turtle Research Program in 2005. Our organization is made up of over 95 dedicated and knowledgeable volunteer “Honu Guardians” who are on the beach every day of the year to prevent intentional and inadvertent harassment of the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles as they bask peacefully on the beach and to provide educational outreach to the public by imparting facts about the turtles, explaining their behaviors and creating an awareness of the ongoing need to protect this “threatened” species.

Persons interested in helping the Honu at Laniakea may do so through donations, symbolic Honu adoptions or by volunteering their time at the beach. 

BOD PIC 2025

Board of Directors


Tammy Tootell

President

Christine Fisher

Treasurer

Sheila Mackertich

Secretary, Grant Team Lead

Debbie Herrera

Board Member; Volunteer &
Education Coordinator

Karen Cheek

Board Member

Don Porter

Board Member; Fund Raising Chairman

Lisa Harrington

Board Member

Consultants


Joanne Pettigrew

Founder & Historian

Jim Kennedy

Director Emeritus

HONU GUARDIANS

Noteworthy Service by Mālama i nā honu Beach Volunteers

Most Lifetime Beach Hours Protecting the Honu & Educating the Public - 12/31/2024
1. Janis Honda 5,061.25
2. Debbie Herrera 4,660.33
3. Sonny Sampaga 2,889
4. Don Porter 2,230
5. Bruce Beck 2,130.75
6. Joe Murphy 1,772.25
7. Bev Murphy 1,729.25
8. Jan Shea 1,671.75
9. Donna Orr 1,617
10. Gayle Kriese 1,524
11. Tim Wesely 1,459.75
12 Vickie Dela Cruz 1,405.25
13. Jim Kennedy 1,257.50
14. Joanne Pettigrew 1,174
15. Laura Luger 1,070.50
16. Tammy Tootell 1,017.50
17. Christine Fisher 903
18. Erynn Tait 866.50
19. Chuck Roberts 846
20. Sadie Hausman 829
Most 2024 Beach Hours Protecting the Honu & Educating the Public - 12/31/2024
1. Bruce Beck 424
2. Debbie Herrera 318.75
3. Christine Fisher 274.25
4. Janis Honda 270.75
5. Orestis Ludmann 269
6. Ryan Siu 172.75
7. Michelle Tulenko-Brodie 152.50
8. Stephanie Sharpe 152.50
9. Jennifer Traggorth 143.25
10. Sadie Hausman 138.25
11. Karen Cheek 137.25
12. Sheila Mackertich 136.25
13. Kat Fithian 136
14. Megan Fithian 135.75
15. Rita Metzinger 135
16. Kaitlyn Fithian 132.75
17. Daniel Fithian 126.75
18. Don Porter 111.75
19. Bob Coggins 111.25
20. Kendra Morgan 109.75