HONOLULU (KHON2) — Oahu residents celebrated the sweetest bundle of joy on the North Shore, welcoming the first Hawaiian monk seal pup of the 2025 season.
The Hawaii Marine Animal Response introduced Kailani, named by the 5th-grade class at Kahuku Elementary, on its social media page.
HMAR said the pup’s name reflects “the deep connection between Hawaii’s land, sea and sky — and how special the pup truly is.”
The first part of his name, Kai, means “sea” and the second part, Lani, means “sky” to “symbolize the beauty and wonder he brings to the islands.”
If you see Kailani wandering North Shore’s beaches, officials said beachgoers should remain cautious as monk seal mothers are known to be highly protective and may become aggressive if someone gets too close.
Beachgoers are also advised to maintain a 150-foot distance or more from seals to prevent the pups from becoming accustomed to human interaction.
Pet owners should also keep their dogs on leashes at the beach.
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If you are interested in volunteering with HMAR to help protect Hawaiian monk seals like Kailani, visit their website or follow them on Facebook and Instagram to learn more.