R042 is Here

Aloha Kakou:

Yesterday, the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) advised West Maui beachgoers that monkseal R042 has arrived in Kaanapali. R042 was born in 2006 on the Big Island and she has also been spotted on Lanai.

This seal, which is on the endangered species list as only about 1100 of the species remain, has become almost unafraid of people. When she was a pup, she was handfed by fisherman and now she may beg for food from humans.

To protect public safety and help this and other seals maintain their wild tendencies, DLNR and NOAA are asking the public to observe the following guidelines:

1. Do not play with, pet, swim with, feed, make eye contact with or otherwise engage with Hawaiian monk seals.

2. Maintain a distance of at least 150 feet from Hawaiian monk seals.

3. If you are in the ocean, and you encounter the seal, get out of the water as quickly and safely as possible.

4. If the seal approaches on land, ignore the seal and quickly move back to distance of at least 150 feet.

5. Report all seal sightings to the NOAA Marine Mammal Hotline at 888-256-9840 (toll free 24 hours, 7 days a week).