Po'ipu beaches to reopen after seal pup weans

By Jan TenBruggencate
Advertiser KauaÎi Bureau

PO'IPU, Kaua'i — State wildlife officials have decided that the beaches fronting Po'ipu Beach Park and the Waiohai Hotel property will remain closed until a Hawaiian monk seal pup weans in about two weeks.

The beaches were closed to the public last week after the mother seal and pup began regular swims off both beaches and the mother behaved aggressively toward humans in the area.

The pup was born July 22 on the sandy isthmus between the two beaches. Hawaiian monk seals, an endangered species, normally are weaned at between 5 and 6 weeks of age.

State wildlife officials, after consulting with federal and county agencies, decided to close the beaches to protect the seals and to protect the public from aggressive maternal instinct by the mother seal.

Park areas next to the beach and the beaches on both sides of the closed area remain open.

Reach Jan TenBruggencate at jtenbrug@honoluluadvertiser.com or (808) 245-3074.