I want to send out a Big Mahalo to all of the “Sea Riders” who have gone out on our Whale Watching excursions this year! So Far, we have had a remarkable season and some amazing encounters! Several sightings of Entangled and distressed or deceased Humpbacks as well, So I want you to know that you have also contributed to Whale Research when you go out on our 2 Hour PM Excursions!

We also sponsor Outreach for the children of Kaua’I and help various non-profit organizations who could not contribute monetarily.

This season we have 3 NOAA Teacher Workshops with Jean Souza and volunteers from the Kaua’I Marine Sanctuary.

We also comp a teenage Hawaiian Mentorship program and Hale Opio ( )

Whale Watching Fund Raiser for “Surf Haiti” a great, non-profit organization that helps with getting Clean Water to the community there, still suffering from the Earthquake.

I have been blessed with the vessel and the location— to be able to give back is amazing in this economy and without Your support that wouldn’t be possible!

Thankyou from Captain Tara and Crew @ Kaua’I Sea Riders!

NOAA Teacher Workshop Jan/2012

Green Sea Turtle Hatchlings/PMRF

In the Hawaiian Islands, Green Sea Turtles have made a great comeback in the past few decades. On our Snorkel charters, it still amazes me to see the sheer number of animals we are blessed to swim with everyday. As a Marine Biologist, I am then overwhelmed that I have lived long enough to see female sea turtles come back to the major Hawaiian Islands to nest. Here on Kaua’i we can boast more turtle nests than anywhere in the state!
This fall season it has been recorded that 19 Kaua’i beaches (360 degrees around the island) have had successful sea turtle nests. Although the true tally of live turtle hatchlings has not been published, the 2011 estimate is 500-1,000!
This increase is very encouraging, yet only a few hatchlings per nest will survive to adulthood.

Photo: Courtesy of Smithsonian Institute

Turtle tracks-Polihale

Female often come ashore to nest, several times in a season, but will wait 2 or 3 years to nest again. Green Sea Turtles nest at night and dig a “body pit” with rear flippers She will deposit approximately 100 eggs into this flask shaped egg cavity. The female will cover the nest with sand and head back to the sea. That is the end of her parental involvement.

The incubation period is 2 months.

Turtles use a specialized egg-tooth called a caruncle to break free of their shell and then use teamwork to climb to the surface. The journey to the ocean is when the turtle hatchlings become affected by environmental hazards. Vehicle tracks and marine debris are some of the physical threats caused by humans, but by far the lights on a beach will disorient and misdirect the young turtles and prevent them from reaching the sea.  Predators, such as sea birds, octopus and  fish, will await the turtle luau. These surviving hatchlings truly learn to swim quickly and frantically into open ocean using amazing instincts and magnetic orientation!

Pilot Whales/ Koa Kai Survey "Mark Cotter" U Mass.

This photo is of  mother and calf  Short-finned Pilot Whales, taken off of Lana’i. Kaua’i Sea Riders charters were left in the capable hands of Captain Rob and Crew Nick! I was fortunate to have a great opportunity as a Field Biologist on the 90′ vessel “Au’kele” as a Marine Mammal Observer. We covered a large area of ocean in the southern part of the Hawaiian Islands, including the sea mounts west of the Big Island. Basically the survey was conducted to locate as many marine mammals as possible and to quantify and observe behavior and collect data on rare odonticae (toothed whales) including the extremely endangered pseudorca (false killer whales)
The survey was for HDR Consulting and the U.S. Navy. Great group of scientists from all over the country, with various experience and backgrounds. I have been busy with Sea Riders, my kids  and coral reef , monk seal research, so it was the first time in many years that I have been able to do this type of shipboard research. It was awesome to spend time with peers in the field of Marine Biology and pick their brains about the whales, dolphins and seals they have experienced throughout the world.
At the same time sharing Hawai’i and applying stewardship, science and technology. I learned so much- Mahalo to all who made this survey possible!

False Killer Whales

Kauai Sea Riders is a charter for Kauai visitors who want a personal and unique experience in and on the Ocean.  Yet, few realize that a large portion of the use of our Navy Seal Zodiac “HOOKAHI” is for scientific purposes.

This type of boat is referred to as a RHIB, or rigid hull inflatable and is a documented small craft that can get into the inaccessible areas. Powered by twin 140hp. 4-stroke Suzuki motors, which are “Green” friendly, this craft is perfect for Hawaiian ocean conditions and Marine life Research. Kauai Reef Conservation was formed to be a non-profit service to Federal, State , Private and other Community Non-Profit Organizations. The goal is to promote education and awareness of the diverse and unusual habitat in Hawa’ii.

In the past we have been contracted to conduct field research with Coral Reef Monitoring, Fish Kill Studies, turtle tumor and turtle mortality and  retrieval, Marine Mammal entanglement, Seal de-hooking and the monitoring of the rare and endangered toothed whale species, such as the False Killer Whales. So when you support Kauai Sea Riders by coming out on a Kauai Snorkel Tour or Whale Watch Tour, you are also a partner in Kauai Reef Conservation.

Fieldwork is my expertise, so any legal (501 c-3) advice , marketing help, or future grant ideas are greatly needed and appreciated ! Mahalo!

Captain Tara Leota