Video courtesy Mauna Lani Resort

KOHALA COAST – An annual favorite for Hawaii Island on the 4th of July is the Turtle Independence Day Celebration. Crowds lined the beach at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows to watch the honu be released into the Pacific Ocean. This video (above) and media release was supplied by the resort:

Since 1989, Mauna Lani has received juvenile honu (Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles) from Oahu’s Sea Life Park, and has raised them in the saltwater ponds of the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel. The honu are cared for until they grow to a size and weight that are deemed appropriate for release into the wild. This release occurs every July 4th at the ocean’s edge fronting the hotel.

On Friday, July 4, 2015 four young honu were released from the shores of the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows. Ceremonies began with a hula by Halau Waiau Keiki carried the honu to the water’s edge where they were released into the wild to celebrate their freedom. A crowd of over well-wishers cheered them on.

Mauna Lani has released more than 200 honu over the past 26 years. The annual event celebrates the honu and educates visitors and Kama’aina about the threatened Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles.

A sea turtle is set free at the Mauna Lani on July 4th. Photo is from video provided by the resort.