Kūpuna means elder, and it’s no surprise that Papahānaumokuākea is geologically older than the main Hawai’ian islands. Kūpuna are also the valued community members who pass ancestral knowledge and life experience to next generations. Papahānaumokuākea is a UNESCO World Heritage site that is only accessible by permit. NOAA’s Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center partners with CIMAR to conduct research in Papahānaumokuākea. Monitoring threatened and endangered species is critical to supporting their protection and recovery. Small field teams of researchers spend 2 to 6 months each year in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument to monitor Hawaiian monk seal and green sea turtle populations at:

• Lalo (French Frigate Shoals)
• Kamole (Laysan Island)
• Kapou (Lisianski Island)
• Manawai (Pearl and Hermes Atoll)
• Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll)
• Hōlanikū (Kure Atoll)

Field camp staff begin preparations in the spring. They shop for food, test gear and equipment,  and pack everything to get it ready to load on the ship. Strict biosecurity procedures must be followed to best ensure that non-native species (e.g., insects and seeds) are not introduced to the Kupuna islands. Field staff also receive training including data collection, wilderness first aid, and a NOAA boating course.

Traveling to these small islands will take several days; once there, team members will live in a camping-like environment across multiple locations. All food, water, equipment, and supplies are brought with the field teams during deployment and must last for the whole summer.  Staying physically, emotionally, and mentally healthy are key to keeping up with the high-tempo, strenuous field work. Not to worry, there is also plenty of time to sit back and enjoy the unique sights, sounds and smells!

Hawaiian monk seal and green sea turtle research objectives for all sites include:

• Measuring and tagging all weaned seal pups and nesting and basking turtles
• Identifying all individuals in each subpopulation
• Conducting systematic beach counts of seals and turtles
• Documenting births, deaths, serious injuries, and entanglement in marine debris
• Reuniting separated seal mother-pup pairs, disentangling, and conducting other life-saving interventions
• Conducting necropsies on dead seals and turtles
• Collecting and removing marine debris
• Participating in huli‘ia observational data

Through the service of many dedicated people over the years, we and our partners have contributed to important research and recovery efforts for the monk seal and turtle populations while protecting the overall ecosystem. We are committed to continuing this work, and invite you to apply to work on our team!