HONOLULU (KHON2) — A very special guest was welcomed to the island of Oahu on Feb. 6. NOAA Fisheries reported that Makana, the first Oahu monk seal pup of 2024, was born on the north shore.
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Though the Hawaiian monk seal gives birth year-round, the islands see a peak in births between March and August.
Makana and mother, Keolakai, are being monitored by NOAA and their partner, Hawaii Marine Animal Response, to ensure the mom and pup are given the proper amount of space.
“It’s an honor to watch over a new pup,” HMAR president and founder Jon Gelman said. “Our dream is to see the population recover, and each successful pupping is a step toward realizing that dream.”
The young male pup wasn’t always named Makana but was initially given the NOAA ID of PO1.
HMAR partnered with local schools to not only allows students to name the pup but to learn about their kuleana, responsibility, to them.
The fifth-grade class at Kahuku Elementary School was given the honor of naming Makana. Reports said students chose the name because of the saying “he makana maikai na makou,” which translates to “a lovely gift to us.”