Turtle nest in Hilo great rarity in itself

By Hugh Clark
Advertiser Big Island Bureau

HILO, Hawai'i — It was a rare event by all accounts when what was believed to be an olive ridley turtle hauled itself to shore at Hilo's bayfront on a moonless night this week and laid 124 eggs before returning to the sea.

Marine biologists say it is the first known turtle nesting in modern times at the popular shoreline area. If reports that the turtle was an olive ridley turtle turn out to be true, it would be only the second such nest to be found in Hawai'i. The other olive ridley turtle nest was documented nearly 20 years ago on Maui's Pa'ia Beach, according to turtle expert George Balazs of the National Marine Fisheries Service.

The endangered species normally is found off Mexico and Costa Rica.

Balazs said the size of the eggs and other details convinced him that the eggs were not those of the more prevalent green sea turtle or the rare hawksbill. Biologists won't know for sure until the eggs hatch in about two months.

Fishermen who observed the turtle Monday night notified officials the next morning. Because the nest was close to the water line, there were fears that waves might dislodge the eggs, said Deborah Ward of the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Under Balazs' direction, students with the University of Hawai'i-Hilo's Marine Option Program moved the eggs to higher ground, where they were reburied.

The Hawai'i County Parks Department provided concrete barriers to protect the nest from cars that frequent the park area, which is home to several canoe clubs. Signs were posted to warn the public not to disturb the eggs.

The nest will be closely monitored by students and state officers.

It's possible the turtle may return.

Olive ridleys may nest one, two or three times per season at 14-day intervals, typically producing 100 or more eggs on each occasion.