Sea Creatures

Creatures
from the
Sea

A few from the wild, but mostly
inhabitants of the beautiful
Maui Ocean Center
in Ma'alaea

Sea Turtles

Hunted nearly to extinction, the hawksbill turtle and green turtle (hono) are endangered species. However, in 2005 we observed a marked increase in turtles on both Maui and Hawaii. We saw them in many places, swimming in shallow lagoons or laboriously dragging themselves up on the warm sand to enjoy the heat of the sun.

We saw green turtles both in the aquarium and in the wild.
Some of those shown below may be hawksbill turtles.

The pictures don't show enough detail for the average person to make the distinction.
If you can help identify these, please write us.

Clumsy and slow on land,
the turtles soar through the water
with the grace of birds.

The Maui Ocean Center

Opened in 1998, Maui's aquarium quickly became a visitor favorite. Touted as "the only facility in the world dedicated to fostering understanding, wonder and respect for Hawaii’s marine life," the ocean center has become one of our favorite stops in Maui

Hawaii's state fish, the reef triggerfish.

Better known by its Hawaiian name
humuhumunukunukuapua'a
literally "small trigger fish with
a snout like a pig."

Spectacular as the "big guys" like the ray and the sharks are,
the mysterious jellyfish hold a strange fascination.

Dramatically presented in huge tanks with colorful lighting, they give the impression of an ever-changing abstract painting..

Hunted nearly to extinction, the hawksbill turtle and green turtle (hono) are endangered species. However, in 2005 we observed a marked increase in turtles on both Maui and Hawaii. We saw them in many places, swimming in shallow lagoons or laboriously dragging themselves up on the warm sand to enjoy the heat of the sun. We saw green turtles both in the aquarium and in the wild. Some of those shown below may be hawksbill turtles. The pictures don't show enough detail for the average person to make the distinction. If you can help identify these, please write us.

Clumsy and slow on land, the turtles soar through the water with the grace of birds.

		Hawaii's state fish, the reef triggerfish. Better known by its Hawaiian name *humuhumunukunukuapua'a* literally "small trigger fish with a snout like a pig."





Spectacular as the "big guys" like the ray and the sharks are, the mysterious jellyfish hold a strange fascination.

Dramatically presented in huge tanks with colorful lighting, they give the impression of an ever-changing abstract painting..