Science Day at Sea

NAWILIWILI — Jean Souza had never touched a sea turtle in her life until last week.

Souza, Kaua‘i coordinator for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale Marine Sanctuary, organized the first-ever Science Day at Sea program for more than 140 Kaua‘i students Thursday.

The close-up encounter with an endangered turtle was just one part of the experience, as George Balazs, a biologist with the Marine Turtle Research for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, led a segment of the four-part program aboard the Norwegian Cruise Line’s “Pride of America.”

The turtle was one of six — five 2-year-olds and a 3-year-old — released Friday afternoon as the cruise ship made its way past Na Pali en route to O‘ahu. Along the way, NOAA personnel accompanying the sea turtles, opened the ship’s doors to students on Maui and the Big Island before reaching Nawiliwili.

NCL America has partnered with NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, the NOAA Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, Sea Life Park, Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy and Maui Ocean Center to sponsor the program, which allows students hands-on science activities about whales, plankton and turtles.

“The unique and generous partnership of this release project with NCL on behalf of the sea turtle conservation has been one of the most rewarding activities of my 36-year career to restore a species once on the brink of extinction in the Hawaiian Islands,” Balazs said.

Kaua‘i High School and Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School students were among 70 students on the tour.

A segment on whales was particularly relevant to the students, as a killer whale was stranded at Brennecke’s Beach late Tuesday night.

“Hawai‘i’s marine environment is the perfect natural laboratory to inspire and encourage our students to take an interest in protecting our ocean resources,” said Naomi McIntosh, superintendent of the humpback whale sanctuary. “This partnership provides and opportunity for students to see, touch and learn about Hawai‘i’s oceans and its importance to all of us.”

But students weren’t the only ones learning a thing or two. NCL passenger Bryce Douglas, of Ontario, Canada, helped Balazs during almost all of the poolside presentations.

Passengers joined in with the students to get a better look at the sea turtles and the satellite radio rigs attached to their backs.

“In addition to providing an educational experience for island keiki, the turtle release program provides an outstanding opportunity for guests aboard Pride of America to learn more about Hawai‘i’s environment and the importance of protecting our natural resources,” Alan Yamamoto, NCL America’s vice president of Hawai‘i operations, said.

Satellite radios attached to three of the six turtles will allow researchers to receive information about their movements and behavioral patterns in their natural habitat.

Balazs said the radios, which will provide information for about six months, will eventually fall off the turtles as their shells grow and mature.

The release is part of a NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center research project to learn more about the life and travel patterns of young turtles in the open ocean.

The captive-bred turtles had been splashing about in an inflated pool with sea water at Sea Life Park.

“Our sea turtle breeding program continues to be a resounding success as a result of events such as this,” said Stephanie Flood, education manager at Sea Life Park. “Not only are we releasing these turtles into the wild and educating our children, but this provides a means to educate travelers from all over the world who are here to experience Hawai‘i.”