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

Kate Capela & John Capela

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 - 12/31/2025
1. Debbie Herrera 5,508.13
2. Janis Honda 5,223
3. Sonny Sampaga 2,889
4. Bruce Beck 2,414
5. Don Porter 2,316.75
6. Joe Murphy 1,772.25
7. Bev Murphy 1,729.25
8. Jan Shea 1,671.75
9. Donna Orr 1,622
10. Gayle Kriese 1,524
11. Tim Wesely 1,489.80
12. Christine Fisher 1,423.75
13. Vickie Dela Cruz 1,405.25
14. Tammy Tootell 1,400.05
15. Jim Kennedy 1,257.50
16. Joanne Pettigrew 1,174
17. Laura Luger 1,070.50
18. Erynn Tait 962.25
19. Sheila Mackertich 945.50
20. Sadie Hausman 926.55
Most 2025 Beach Hours Protecting the Honu & Educating the Public - 12/31/2025
1. Debbie Herrera 389.75
2. Bruce Beck 283.25
3. Abdulaziz Halabi 256.50
4. Budur Banaja 250.25
5. Pam Johnson 167.75
6. Janis Honda 161.75
7. Michele Tulenko-Brodie 158.50
8. Tina Cloud 156.75
9. Christine Fisher 152.75
10. Maxine Pickford-Dettloff 145.50
11. Robert Brodie 131.25
12. Kendra Morgan 130
13. Sheila Mackertich 122.25
14. Lynette Wiedenhoeft 116.75
15. Karen Cheek 113.50
16. Michelle Gwin 110.75
17. Fiona Percival 110.75
18. Edith Wiedenhoeft 110
19. Kat Fithian 109.75
20. Megan Fithian 105