HONOLULU (KHON2) – The newborn Hawaiian monk seal turned one week old on Monday.
The mother and puppy are pulling people to Kaimana Beach, and a neighboring business benefits thanks to its prime views, among other things.
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The puppy is visibly larger with the energy of a toddler.
It’s a sight that doesn’t get old.
The Kaimana Beach Hotel and its Hau Tree restaurant had a busy weekend with people wanting an unobstructed view of the seals.
Gail Cates said the hau tree was one of her favorite places, but the baby seal gave her more reasons to visit.
“Mom is so tired,” said Cates. “She’s trying to take a nap and this little baby just turns around. She just says ‘just let me sleep.’
The hotel’s VIP guest representative, Kyle Swardenski, said the hotel is seeing more pedestrian traffic. The seal and her pup also inadvertently aided the property’s marketing efforts.
“We saw a lot more reservations and actually a lot of people asked about the seals on the phone. Oh, can you see the seal from the restaurant?” Swardenski said. “We say ‘yes you can’ so a lot of people ask about the beach on the porch.”
The officials continue to remind bystanders to respect marine animals.
A weaned Hawaiian Monk Seal puppy needs space and a safe environment
State officials from the Department of Resource Conservation and Enforcement were called this weekend after a person allegedly crossed the barrier and molested the seals.
Although we are told, officials cannot give quotes without evidence, and they usually have to see the violation for themselves.
Officials can only respond to videos or photos if the person has been identified.
The girth around the seals was increased by a few feet, and a volunteer continued to remind people to keep their distance and not disturb the endangered animals.
“We have to let them know that half the beach is cut off because of the seal,” Swardenski said. “But we definitely make sure they know they have their place and their distance, and please be respectful and kind.”
Over the next few weeks, the puppy grows more and more and goes swimming for the first time, until it finally swims into the open water and leaves Kaimana Beach.
