The Hawaiian Islands are renowned for their breathtaking landscapes and diverse ecosystems. Hawaii has designated official symbols to represent its unique identity and values, highlighting significant aspects of its natural environment or cultural traditions.
Hawaii’s Official State Mammal
Hawaii’s official state mammal is the Hawaiian Monk Seal (Neomonachus schauinslandi). It was officially designated in 2008. This earless seal, part of the Phocidae family, is one of only two mammal species found exclusively in the Hawaiian Islands. It is a highly endangered species, with its population having declined significantly over decades.
Unique Characteristics and Habitat
Adult Hawaiian Monk Seals typically range from 7 to 7.5 feet (2.1 to 2.2 meters) in length and can weigh between 375 to 450 pounds (170 to 204 kilograms), with females generally being slightly larger than males. Their coats are dark gray to brown on their backs, lightening to a yellowish-brown or creamy color on their bellies. Pups are born with a black fur coat, which they shed as they mature, gaining their adult coloration.
They are generalist feeders, consuming a variety of prey. Their diet primarily consists of fish, squid, octopus, crabs, shrimp, and lobster. Monk seals forage at or near the seafloor, often flipping rocks or digging in the sand to find hidden prey. While they spend about two-thirds of their lives at sea, they frequently haul out onto beaches to rest, molt, give birth, and nurse their young.
The Hawaiian Monk Seal is endemic to the Hawaiian archipelago, meaning it occurs nowhere else. Their habitat spans the entire 1,500-mile island chain, from Hawaiʻi Island to Kure Atoll. The majority of the population, approximately 1,200 individuals, resides in the remote Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI), within the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. A smaller, but growing, population of about 400 seals is found in the Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI).
Conservation and Cultural Significance
Threats to the Hawaiian Monk Seal’s survival are numerous and complex, varying between the Northwestern and Main Hawaiian Islands. In the NWHI, challenges include food limitation for juveniles, entanglement in marine debris and derelict fishing gear, and shark predation. Marine debris, largely plastics, accumulates significantly in these remote areas, posing a constant entanglement risk.
In the Main Hawaiian Islands, human-caused threats are more prevalent. These include fishery interactions like accidental hookings and entanglement in fishing nets. Disease, particularly toxoplasmosis, is a growing concern and a leading cause of mortality in the MHI, spread by a parasite found in cat feces. Intentional killings, disturbances from human interaction, and habitat loss due to coastal erosion and rising sea levels also contribute to their population decline.
Various conservation efforts are underway to protect the Hawaiian Monk Seal. NOAA Fisheries leads programs focused on monitoring, research, and recovery actions across the archipelago. This includes disentangling seals from marine debris, providing medical care for sick or injured animals, and enhancing juvenile survival through interventions like supplemental feeding. Protected areas, such as the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, also safeguard their critical habitat.
Beyond their biological importance, Hawaiian Monk Seals hold cultural significance for Native Hawaiians. Their traditional name, ‘Ilio-holo-i-ka-uaua, translates to “dog that runs in rough seas” or “dog that goes in rough water.” This name reflects their playful nature and agility. The presence of monk seals is often viewed as an indicator of ocean health, connecting the species’ well-being to the marine ecosystem’s overall balance.