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 PICTURE 2024

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

Tim Wesely

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 - 9/30/2024
1. Janis Honda 5,061.25
2. Debbie Herrera 4,475.08
3. Sonny Sampaga 2,889
4. Don Porter 2,202.25
5. Bruce Beck 2,028
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. Luanna Meyer 953
17. Tammy Tootell 892
18. Chuck Roberts 846
19. Erynn Tait 829.5
20. Lolita Ayala 816.5
Most 2024 Beach Hours Protecting the Honu & Educating the Public - 9/30/2024
1. Bruce Beck 321.25
2. Janis Honda 270.75
3. Christine Fisher 215
4. Debbie Herrera 215
5. Ryan Siu 133.75
6. Stephanie Sharpe 128.25
7. Sadie Hausman 116.50
8. Michele Tulenko-Brodie 106
9. Karen Cheek 102.50
10. Whitney Mauldin 98.25
11. Rita Metzinger 96
12. Kat Fithian 93.75
13. Emma Alvarez 93.75
14. Kaitlyn Fithian 93.5
15. Megan Fithian 93.5
16. Sheila Mackertich 92.75
17. Bob Coggins 91.25
18. Daniel Fithian 90.5
19. Lena Park 87.25
20. Don Porter 84