History of Turtle Hunting Hawaii

Blog Draft: A History of Green Sea Turtle Harvesting in Hawaii

The history of the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) in Hawaii is a story of changing human interaction and environmental impact, which can be categorized into three distinct phases:

1. Indigenous Polynesian Era (1250–1778)

About 700 years ago, the first phase of interaction began with indigenous Polynesian societies. Archaeological evidence suggests that hunting was widespread across the islands during this period. This early human presence likely led to the loss of significant nesting areas within the Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) due to sustained hunting pressure.

2. Post-Contact and Global Trade (1779–1945)

The second phase followed European contact. During the 1800s, the Northwest Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) saw an influx of ships from Europe, North America, and Asia. These visitors frequently conducted large-scale harvests for both food and commercial trade. By the turn of the 20th century, green turtles had become a common sight in Honolulu’s commercial markets and local restaurants.

3. Modern Commercial Era and Legal Protection (1946–1978)

The final phase occurred between the end of World War II and the implementation of modern environmental laws. From 1948 to 1974, commercial turtle fishing required licensing and mandatory catch reports. During this window, the total harvest—including estimated unreported takes—reached approximately 5,000 to 6,000 turtles. While this averaged 180 to 230 turtles per year, historical records indicate that such numbers were sometimes harvested in a single day in earlier times.

The era of legal hunting ended in 1978, when the green sea turtle was officially listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), making the practice illegal.

References (APA Style)

References

Seminoff, J. A., Allen, C. D., Balazs, G. H., Dutton, P. H., & Eguchi, T. (2021). Status review of the green turtle (Chelonia mydas) under the Endangered Species Act. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/4922

Masahito sasaki

The author holds a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Policy and has professional experience spanning civil engineering consultancy, academic research in regional conflict and peacebuilding, and project management in urban planning non-profit organizations. He currently leads Wildlife Hawaii, integrating applied research, technical expertise, and operational experience to support evidence-based sustainable tourism and urban resilience initiatives in Hawaii.

Series Title: “The Hawaiian Honu: From the Brink of Extinction to a Future of Coexistence (7-Part Series)”