Not everyone celebrates the Fourth of July with booming fireworks or hot-dog eating contests.
Across the country, people honor Independence Day with plenty of unique and specific traditions — from a key lime pie-eating contest in Key West, Florida, to the Lebeau Zydeco Festival in Lebeau, Louisiana, an annual Creole celebration filled with music.
But on Hawaii’s Big Island, there’s Turtle Independence Day, a celebration that is in its 37th year, dating back to 1989.
On Turtle Independence Day, locals and tourists alike gather at the Mauna Lani Auberge Resort to honor Native Hawaiians’ beloved green sea turtles, or honu.
During the event, attendees learn about marine conservation efforts, visit food stalls, and admire live hula performances, all culminating in a ceremonial procession to free sea turtles into their native habitat.
Most years, sea turtles from the Oahu-based Sea Life Park are released into the ocean. These turtles are part of the park’s green sea turtle breeding program, which has operated for over 40 years and has played a major role in the resurgence of the species in Hawaiian waters.
“Over 16,000 green sea turtle hatchlings have been released from the Park’s adult population,” Sea Life Park shares on its website, “and the breeding program has further impact through education programs with the help of these amazing little ‘honu ambassadors.’”
Each year, Sea Life Park releases anywhere from 200 to 800 baby turtles during hatchling season, with each microchipped before its release, so researchers can track their movements and monitor population growth over time.
Typically, Sea Life Park raises captive-reared hatchlings in saltwater ponds until they reach a safe, healthy size to be released into the wild. However, according to an event page from Mauna Lani Auberge Resort, “no turtles will be released this year, as none are ready to return to the ocean.”
While it may be a bummer to not see the actual turtles, the celebration will go on — and is free to attend.
A schedule from the resort lists a schedule of activities on both July 3 and 4, including “Honu talks” with turtle experts, live music, activity booths, kid’s activities, and still, a procession to the beach led by Hula Hālau.
“While there won’t be a turtle release this year, conservation is a lesson in patience,” the resort shared in a social media post ahead of this year’s event.
“Every turtle returns to the ocean only when it’s ready, making each release all the more meaningful.”
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Featured Image: Mauna Lani Auberge Resort/Facebook
