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Reward offered in monk seal slayings
By Coco Zickos - The Garden Island
LIHU‘E — The recent murders of two critically endangered Hawaiian monk seals has prompted many community members and organizations to respond in the ancient species’ defense.
Surfrider Foundation Kaua‘i announced Thursday that it will be offering a monetary reward to anyone with information which could lead to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for killing the monk seals.
“I, like many others, am outraged that someone out there would kill these animals,” said Dr. Carl Berg of Surfrider Kaua‘i. “They are the original inhabitants of the islands and were here long before humans.”
The monk seal —– ‘ilio-holo-i-ka-uaua, or “the dog that runs in the rough seas” — is sometimes referred to as a “living fossil” because they have essentially remained the same for at least 13 million years, well before the arrival of human beings on the planet and even longer than the Main Hawaiian Islands, according to the Marine Conservation Biology Institute.
“Personally speaking, I’m baffled by people who want to hurt animals and specifically animals that are not able to defend themselves, are endangered species and are not causing any negative impact to humans,” said Dr. Gordon LaBedz, one of the original founders of Surfrider Kaua‘i. “We hope this reward will be an incentive to put this practice to rest.”
The monk seal’s lone predators on land here are humans.
The Hawaiian monk seal originally occurred throughout the Hawaiian archipelago and was “likely extirpated from the Main Hawaiian Islands by Polynesian colonizers 1,500 to 1,600 years ago,” a study published in The Journal of Heredity states.
They were susceptible targets for hunting activities which took a toll on their population and upon the arrival of the first European sailors during the 19th century, they “were hunted to near extinction at the six primary Northwestern Hawaiian Islands subpopulation — French Frigate Shoals, Laysan, Lisianski, Pearl and Hermes Reef, Midway Atoll and Kure.”
“The bottom line is we don’t want this to happen again and anybody who does this will suffer consequences,” LaBedz said, as he explained why his organization, along with NOAA and the Hawai‘i Monk Seal Conservation Hui worked together to help prevent these circumstances from happening again by offering a sizable reward. “We don’t want people to forget about this. It’s not OK.”
Surfrider has already raised $3,000 and is seeking community support and donations to help increase the amount.
“This is not acceptable ... these animals are so important and so beautiful and there are many people who want to protect them,” Berg said.
LaBedz and Berg said they are certain that there are individuals who are aware of the identity of the person(s) involved and are urging them to come forward.
With the deaths of two monk seals, especially a mother who was pregnant at the time she was shot two weeks ago, their population will continue to dwindle to dangerous levels and could follow the recent extinction of the Caribbean monk seal if better care is not taken, Berg said.
“There are a lot of folks who don’t understand the concept of having a species go extinct and how it affects the web of life,” LaBedz said. “The whole web will be destroyed and it does come back to hit us because we’re all interconnected and we need to protect each other.”
Individuals are urged to call NMFS Law Enforcement at 1-800-853-1964 with any information concerning the killing of the seals.
Those who would like to make tax deductible donations to help raise the reward amount can visit surfriderkauai.ning.com for more information.
“Having one animal less, and especially such an important animal in the Hawaiian ecosystem, our whole lives would be diminished,” Berg said.
Surfrider Foundation Kaua‘i announced Thursday that it will be offering a monetary reward to anyone with information which could lead to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for killing the monk seals.
“I, like many others, am outraged that someone out there would kill these animals,” said Dr. Carl Berg of Surfrider Kaua‘i. “They are the original inhabitants of the islands and were here long before humans.”
The monk seal —– ‘ilio-holo-i-ka-uaua, or “the dog that runs in the rough seas” — is sometimes referred to as a “living fossil” because they have essentially remained the same for at least 13 million years, well before the arrival of human beings on the planet and even longer than the Main Hawaiian Islands, according to the Marine Conservation Biology Institute.
“Personally speaking, I’m baffled by people who want to hurt animals and specifically animals that are not able to defend themselves, are endangered species and are not causing any negative impact to humans,” said Dr. Gordon LaBedz, one of the original founders of Surfrider Kaua‘i. “We hope this reward will be an incentive to put this practice to rest.”
The monk seal’s lone predators on land here are humans.
The Hawaiian monk seal originally occurred throughout the Hawaiian archipelago and was “likely extirpated from the Main Hawaiian Islands by Polynesian colonizers 1,500 to 1,600 years ago,” a study published in The Journal of Heredity states.
They were susceptible targets for hunting activities which took a toll on their population and upon the arrival of the first European sailors during the 19th century, they “were hunted to near extinction at the six primary Northwestern Hawaiian Islands subpopulation — French Frigate Shoals, Laysan, Lisianski, Pearl and Hermes Reef, Midway Atoll and Kure.”
“The bottom line is we don’t want this to happen again and anybody who does this will suffer consequences,” LaBedz said, as he explained why his organization, along with NOAA and the Hawai‘i Monk Seal Conservation Hui worked together to help prevent these circumstances from happening again by offering a sizable reward. “We don’t want people to forget about this. It’s not OK.”
Surfrider has already raised $3,000 and is seeking community support and donations to help increase the amount.
“This is not acceptable ... these animals are so important and so beautiful and there are many people who want to protect them,” Berg said.
LaBedz and Berg said they are certain that there are individuals who are aware of the identity of the person(s) involved and are urging them to come forward.
With the deaths of two monk seals, especially a mother who was pregnant at the time she was shot two weeks ago, their population will continue to dwindle to dangerous levels and could follow the recent extinction of the Caribbean monk seal if better care is not taken, Berg said.
“There are a lot of folks who don’t understand the concept of having a species go extinct and how it affects the web of life,” LaBedz said. “The whole web will be destroyed and it does come back to hit us because we’re all interconnected and we need to protect each other.”
Individuals are urged to call NMFS Law Enforcement at 1-800-853-1964 with any information concerning the killing of the seals.
Those who would like to make tax deductible donations to help raise the reward amount can visit surfriderkauai.ning.com for more information.
“Having one animal less, and especially such an important animal in the Hawaiian ecosystem, our whole lives would be diminished,” Berg said.
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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of kauaiworld.com.
kaika wrote on Jun 5, 2009 7:54 PM:
" surf rider foundation offers reward,Hawaiian ecosystems none hawaiian animals and reward for killer of none native species.Title should say that reward is for none native species. killer,I have never read of a hawaiian monk seal in the main hawaiian islands in any hawaiian histiry books,david malo,samuel kamaku,trask, princess pauahi journals,or any chants,stories,legends,heiau ,luakini,pohaku,burn pitsgeneology chants,petrogly,stone carvings ect.The main problem is its a invasive species,that has some how came to our main islands? Now its protected more than the hawaiian people who know true history and chants and whats native past present and future.To protect a species it should be in its rightful place such as kuri,line islands kuribati,palymaria,iniwitac,ectThen its in its rightful ecosystem it could survive and be protected.The problem my people have is the scence is based on half truths and lies by none natives.We as kanaka see thru the so called ecosystem triths.The most indangerd species is the Native Hawaiian who needs to be put on the indangered species list,we are killed eveyday by lies and half truths more than any animal in all of hawaii.Wheres the reward for our lands,fishing rights,birth rights,blood rights to our ocean,what about our bones and ancestors rights,Surfrider foundation I have surfed since 2 years old fished hunted planted taro,ect wheres our reward for use of our seas.........kaika note protect seal in its true ecosystem thats the pono way...... "
konabish wrote on Jun 9, 2009 10:12 AM:
" sljkauai, mahalo, and aloha to your beautiful spirit.
kaika, your ignorance is clearly shown not only in your poor spelling and grammar, but also in your empty argument. According to you, you shouldn't even be here. Wouldn't that be nice....... You've inspired me to make a donation to Surfrider. "
kaika, your ignorance is clearly shown not only in your poor spelling and grammar, but also in your empty argument. According to you, you shouldn't even be here. Wouldn't that be nice....... You've inspired me to make a donation to Surfrider. "
sljkauai wrote on Jun 9, 2009 2:23 PM:
" konabish...ALOHA to you for making a donation to Surfrider.
How can people say that the Surfrider Foundation lies to the people of Kauai.
They are protecting the ocean life and waters of Kauai and yes, the Monk Seals too, for future generations in Hawaii.
Education of the facts are that without this overseeing and protection there will be no fish or marine life or quality of ocean water left for anyone -regardless of where you came from or if your Hawaiian.
Educate our youth to Love & Protect Kauai's unique & beautiful ocean & marine life.
Mahalo~ "
How can people say that the Surfrider Foundation lies to the people of Kauai.
They are protecting the ocean life and waters of Kauai and yes, the Monk Seals too, for future generations in Hawaii.
Education of the facts are that without this overseeing and protection there will be no fish or marine life or quality of ocean water left for anyone -regardless of where you came from or if your Hawaiian.
Educate our youth to Love & Protect Kauai's unique & beautiful ocean & marine life.
Mahalo~ "
djrugs wrote on Jun 9, 2009 6:22 PM:
" Thank you Surfrider Foundation. I think all people will be surprised when some historical information arises from this controversy. King Kam himself talks about the seals. I guess since he did not conquer Kauai, some people on Kauai don't consider him a real Hawaiian or King for that matter and that is a controversy for the history books and talking story to hash out. However, Kauai is as important an Island here as they all are and the seals on Kauai are as important to the food chain and the eco system as any other fish or animal that is endangered or "fished out". Marine Mammals are certainly a huge part of that ecosystem and the Hawaiian Monk Seal deserves the respect for inhabiting these islands longer than people have, and contributing to being an important part of our eco-system. As a Native of any land, protecting the land and it's animals are your heritage and birthright, but it does not give anyone the right to kill all animals or fish all fishes. Even the Kapu system forbade that kind of behavior. Too bad we don't have Kapu for seal killers anymore. Love & Aloha towards all peoples and animals is what is missing in our world today, whether it be in Native Hawaiian Culture or you are a White person running a puppy mill. Anyone killing innocent animals and taking advantage of creatures unable to defend themselves should be KAPU and unwelcome in any society. Please come forward and get this person off the streets and return harmony to your community. "
omg watnow wrote on Jun 16, 2009 3:28 PM:
" Aloha Kaika,
We need to get together like soon. . . . .
Surfrider Foundation, my donation to the reward will be watched and monitored. Like was stated that monies raised will be used for bringing the killing of the monk seal to justice or used for education. You're a non-profit 501C3 status and will be watched to make sure monies raisedwill be used properly. Donating to your foundation does not make the seal Hawaiian. If so, like with us to prove we're Hawaiian we need to show our birth certificate. Where's the seals birth certificate? Don't be like everone else and misquote "omg watnow" . . . . Rememer back in February and fishes and seals were found dead on the shores of Niihau and Lehua Island? Poisioning. . . . . US government cover-up. The monk seals are no longer part of the investigating with the state DLNR. . . . . We should make it okay to eradicate invasive species within Hawaii (koke frogs, mongoose, snakes poisoned) what about those people that brought it to Hawaii. What happens to them? Arrested? They should be banned from Hawaii for life. No matter what their orgin is. Including those that let the cockateils, egrets roam free now are a nuisance. BB gun practice. . . . "
We need to get together like soon. . . . .
Surfrider Foundation, my donation to the reward will be watched and monitored. Like was stated that monies raised will be used for bringing the killing of the monk seal to justice or used for education. You're a non-profit 501C3 status and will be watched to make sure monies raisedwill be used properly. Donating to your foundation does not make the seal Hawaiian. If so, like with us to prove we're Hawaiian we need to show our birth certificate. Where's the seals birth certificate? Don't be like everone else and misquote "omg watnow" . . . . Rememer back in February and fishes and seals were found dead on the shores of Niihau and Lehua Island? Poisioning. . . . . US government cover-up. The monk seals are no longer part of the investigating with the state DLNR. . . . . We should make it okay to eradicate invasive species within Hawaii (koke frogs, mongoose, snakes poisoned) what about those people that brought it to Hawaii. What happens to them? Arrested? They should be banned from Hawaii for life. No matter what their orgin is. Including those that let the cockateils, egrets roam free now are a nuisance. BB gun practice. . . . "
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sljkauai wrote on Jun 5, 2009 6:07 AM:
However, If you read the commentaries under the story last week about the "Feds Seeking Seal Killer" you will read all of the people saying that they are justified to Kill the Seals as the Seals as the Seals are not really Hawaiian..It is amazing how sad to say these things.
What does it matter? Even though History proves they came from the Pacific Islands why do you hate them?
I think some people have the meaning of Aloha really messed up, it includes Seals, Fish, Birds & Yes, People.
Do you want a sign put up on all the beaches to say KAPU to all seals & people because you were not born here?
That is NOT Aloha, that is racial bias & hatred to all who are not Hawaiian..(people or seals)
Please return the beauiful Spirit of Kauai,
Aloha is not about where you were born.
Aloha is Love!
Mahalo "