Vulnerable· population increasing· assessed 2025

Hawaiian Monk Seal

Neomonachus schauinslandi

Sighting evidence at Five Caves, Maui

Photo: Scott Denkers · CC BY-NC

One of the world's most critically endangered marine mammals, the Hawaiian monk seal is an occasional visitor to Five Caves' protected arches, where it rests between deep foraging dives that can exceed 500 metres. With fewer than 1,400 individuals remaining, every encounter at Makena is ecologically significant; Hawaiian law mandates a 50-foot approach distance to ensure resting animals are not disturbed.

Evidence at this site

35 records within 25 km

Confidence: high

Last confirmed Jul 2026

Seasonality

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How is this calculated?

Sighting evidence is compiled from iNaturalist observation records within a set proximity radius, filtered for quality-grade observations. “Last confirmed” is the date of the most recent research-grade record. Record count covers a rolling 24-month window. Confidence reflects record count, recency, and consistency of seasonal signal.

Also seen at other sites

Niihau→