The Turtle lives ‘twixt plated decks which practically conceal its sex
I think it clever of the turtle in such a fix to be so fertile

Ogden Nash was right when he wrote those lines. While our Hawaiian green sea turtles only nest once every two years, given that they can reproduce for as many as 40 years, and lay up to 200 eggs in each nest, theoretically, a pair of turtles could generate 4,000 offspring in their lifetime.

On the flip side, turtle hatchlings have perilous lives – a sort of if it ain’t one thing it’s another existence. Before birth, beach predators often dig up a nest to eat the eggs. Nests are damaged by flooding, erosion, and sometimes other nesting sea turtles. When, and if, the hatchlings emerge, their trek to the ocean is often interrupted by voracious seabirds and crabs. Making it into the water only guarantees that large fish, and still more birds will be on the hunt. Research shows that over 90% of turtle hatchlings are eaten by predators.

Decades pass before sea turtles reach sexual maturity. After mating at sea, the fertilized female usually returns to the beach where she was born to dig her nest, and lay her eggs. The male turtles almost never return to land.

Yet, despite the difficulties, the population of green sea turtles in Hawaii has increased by 5% a year for 20 years. The green sea turtle, or honu, is mentioned in the ancient Hawaiian creation chant. They are a symbol of longevity and safety, and their presence is said to bring good luck and peace. Both that kind of respect, plus the modern practice of levying hefty fines for touching or harassing sea turtles, have combined to protect an important piece of Hawaiian culture.

The honu that you see on Poipu beaches is the only species of sea turtle that regularly comes onshore to bask in the sunshine. Unlike other species, green sea turtles are primarily herbivores. Their habit of eating algae, seaweed and sea grasses give their fat and cartilage a green color, hence the name. Although all sea turtles lack teeth, green sea turtles have serrated jaws which allow them to tear off and munch on pieces of tough undersea plants. Their grazing habits stimulate new plant growth, and so, green sea turtles help to keep our sea beds healthy and growing.

Unlike other turtles, sea turtles cannot retract into their shells, leaving them vulnerable to hungry sharks, seals and orcas. Their greatest danger, however, is human.

Even though the green sea turtle has become a focus of Hawaiian ecotourism, their continued safety is not guaranteed. Whether you are snorkeling beside them, or just watching one lumber onto the beach, give them the respect they deserve; plenty of room and, maybe, a smile to let them know they are still appreciated.

For countless years, the honu has represented the eternal link between mankind, the Islands and the ocean. Let’s not forget that.