Over the past month, DOCARE has provided enforcement and education at Kaimana Beach on Oʻahu, while Rocky, a mother monk seal, taught her pup survival skills.

Last week, the 24-hour-a-day presence of DOCARE officers ended after the pup named Koalani weaned and was in the process of being moved to an undisclosed location away from the urban core of O‘ahu.

The law enforcement visibility started on August 3, after DLNR leadership responded to concerns about the safety of the seals and people. In July, a swimmer encountered the seals in the water near the Natatorium, and the protective mother seal bit her and caused minor injuries. The incident highlighted the real risks facing both the animals and curious humans who intentionally or inadvertently got too close.  Officers enforced a 50-yard cordon on the beach and in the ocean during the operation, which mirrors NOAA guidance for people to stay at least 150-feet away from resting or swimming seals. While no citations were issued, they did have to shoo away several swimmers who got too close to the animals.

During the two-week-long DOCARE presence on the beach and in the water, officers did not cite anyone for a violation termed “obstruction of a government operation.”

With the monk seal population continuing to grow across Hawaii, and moms showing up more frequently to pup and wean their offspring on populated beaches, DLNR is exploring strategies to provide the level of safety and security needed to keep anyone from getting hurt and from the wild animals becoming habituated to people.

DLNR Photo