Hawaiian monk seals have 8 pairs of strong teeth so they can easily dine on crustaceans, such as crab, shrimp, and lobster. They also use those teeth to bite through softer treats like squid, or octopus, or fish — or you, if you get too close.

Strict state and federal laws prohibit touching or harassing monk seals. People are warned to stay at least 50 feet away from them, and at the minimum,150 feet away from pups with their mothers. As you can imagine, mother monk seals get very cranky when they think their babies are being threatened.

To gauge a safe distance, take notice if the animal is looking at you, or has changed its behavior. If either one of those things happens, you are too close. Move away!

Remember, in Hawaii it is a felony to touch or harass a monk seal. Penalties include a $50,000 fine and up to 5 years in prison.

In the Hawaiian language, monk seals are called “ilio-holo-i-ka-uaua,” which means “dog running in rough water.” It’s an appropriate name because seals’ faces do have dog-like look about them. The monk seal, though, gets its English name from the thick fold of skin around its neck, which has been said, is reminiscent of a monk’s cowl.

Unfortunately, the Hawaiian monk seals that we see hauled-out on Kauai beaches happen to be one of the world’s most endangered seal species.

NOAA has been tracking the monk seal population for almost 40 years. After decades of declining populations, conservation efforts have had some success. In 2022, the monk seal population in the Northwestern and main Hawaiian Islands has grown to around 1,500 individuals. Hawaiian monk seals are also one of NOAA’s Nine Species in the Spotlight, which is an effort to save marine species most at risk of extinction in the near future.

Conservation is more than just counting populations. More often it entails taking care of what is right in front of you. The Marine Mammal Center opened a hospital and a visitor center called Ke Kai Ola — the healing sea — on the big island of Hawaii. The hospital maintains rehabilitation areas for pups, large pens and pools for juveniles, quarantine areas and medical facilities.

The Marine Mammal Center is coordinating with NOAA in outreach and education programs. It is estimated that almost 30% of the existing Hawaiian monk seals are thriving due to the efforts of NOAA and its partners such as the Marine Mammal Center

In 2021, a Kauai-born monk seal known as RK58 was spotted with a large swelling on his head, and poor body condition. He was captured and flown to The Marine Mammal Center hospital on Hawaii, where veterinarians found the monk seal had infected puncture wounds in his head, neck and flipper along with a fractured bone.

After two months of excellent care, RK58, his injuries healed and weight gained, was transported back to his Kauai home, and released.

With luck, and our best wishes, he will enjoy a long, and peaceful life.