Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 38, Number 3, 1 March 2021 — 'Īlioholoikauaua: Protecting This Endangered Species [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

'Īlioholoikauaua: Protecting This Endangered Species

The Hawaiian Monk Seol, or 'īlioholoikauaua, is endemic to the Hawaiian islands ■ meaning they are found nowhere else in the world. These beautiful creatures have been on the Endangered Species list since 1976. The extreme decline in their populahon is a direct result of human behavior and activities. ■ Photos: Melody Bentz

By Leina'ala Kaina Peters "lle 'iole ko uka, he 'iole ko kai, He 'iole holo i ka uaua A rat in the uplanā, a rat by the sea A rat running besicle the wave. " - Kumulipo, lines 554 & 555 £ ■ lioholoikauaua, the "dog that runs in the rough I sea" is commonty known as the Hawaiian Monk I Seat, an endemic species that exists only in the I Hawaiian archipelago, and nowhere else in the I world. 'īlioholoikauaua ean be found on all of the main islands, but favor the islands of Ni'ihau, Kaua'i, Moloka'i, and O'ahu. They are one of just two mammals endemic to Hawai'i - the other being Kānaka Maoli. This endangered species was onee prolific, and records show that there were as many as 15,000 individuals within the main Hawaiian Islands prior to western contact. The latest count conducted by the National Oeeanie and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) found only 1,100 individuals in Papahānaumokuākea (the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands) and just 300 within the main Hawaiian Islands. In 1976, the monk seal was listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act due to their extreme decline in population. Historical chants, oral histories, and Hawaiian language newspapers refer to the monk seal variously as 'īlioholoikauaua, 'īoleholoikauaua (rat running besides the wave), 'īliokai (seadog), 'īlio-o-kai(dog of sea), Sila (seal), Hulu

(fur), and 'īliopi'i (dog running up and down). Interestingly, 'īliopi'i is named for a peninsula at Kalaupapa, Moloka'i, where monk seals were commonly seen. Another area named for the monk seal is Lae Ka'īlio (headland of the dog) at Ha'ena, Kaua'i, also a popular spot for the seals. Both locations are historically named, likely due to the frequency of monk seal visits to those places. Monk seals feed primarily on bottom and reef hshes, lobsters, octopus, and eel. They ean dive more than 250 feet to hunt for food. There are many threats to the survival of monk seals as a direct result of human behavior and activities. These include starvation due to overfishing in their habitat, whieh weakens them and affects their immunity to disease and their ability to avoid predators. It also causes low reproduction rates. Other threats include the proliferance of marine debris, such as abandoned fishing lines and nets whieh ean cause drowning due to entanglement. Aquarium hsh gathering for the aquarium trade also threatens the monk seal food ehain and disrupts areas of habitation. Ongoing loss of habitat and contamination in our oceans ean also cause unusually aggressive behaviors in male monk seals, adversely affecting the overall colony. It is our collective kuleana to protect the 'īlioholoikauaua by being vigilant and pono. Lawai'a (hshermen) need to remove hshing nets and only use them within the parameters set forth by law, remove hshing lines, and use barbless hooks. Relocating to another spot when you spot a monk seal in the water while hshing is the pono ehoiee. Never feed or touch them. Due to their endangered species status, the law requires

that you stay 100 feet away from monk seals resting on the shoreline. Additionally, dogs ean harm monk seals and should be leashed and led away. Lortunately, the protected status of Papahānaumokuākea will help preserve the area as a pu'uhonua for the monk seal, but it would be a great loss if their numbers eonhnue to decline and 'īlioholoikauaua stop visiting the main Hawaiian Islands. "Kānaka are kin, not superior to other living things," said Makaala Kaaumoana, vice chair of Hui Ho'omalu i ka 'Āina on Kaua'i. "Balance is required for all to thrive. All life has a job in nature." NOAA has determined that the recent deaths in September and November 2020 of monk seal pups on the island of Kaua'i were caused by drowning, most likely due to entanglement. The puhlie ean also help protect the 'īlioholoikauaua by staying informed. Visit NOAA's website at: https://www. fisheries.noaa.gov/pacific-islands/endangered-species-conservation/hawaiian-monk-seal-updates . Being observant while at the heaeh or out on the oeean is another way to kōkua. If you observe lay gill nets being used illegally, or at night, contact DOCARE at (808) 643DLNR, or use the DLNRTip app. You ean also eall NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement hotline at (800) 853-1964. Report all monk seal sightings, injuries, and strandings to NOAA's Marine Wildlife Hotline at (888) 256-9840. "He ali'i ka 'āina; he kauwā ke kanaka. The land is chief; people are its servant." ■ Leina 'ala Kaina Peters is Kanaka Maoli, a cultural practitioner and conservationist from Kahalu 'u, O 'ahu.