Hawaiʻi Wildlife You May See on a Maui Tour
As one of the most isolated land masses in the world, there are many species of wildlife that can only be found in Hawaiʻi. There’s no doubt that visitors will want to catch a glimpse of as many of the unique animals, on land and sea, as they can during their visit. So what wildlife should you be on the lookout for during your visit to Maui?
Look for any of these common animals when visiting Maui:
1.) Honu – Hawaiʻi Green Sea Turtles
The honu is one of Maui’s most regularly seen marine creatures and one of the most appealing to visitors. The honu is one of the few true natives in the Hawaiian Islands. Green sea turtles as we know them now developed roughly 40-50 million years ago, making them a truly ancient species. Seen as a symbol of spiritual energy, longevity, and safety, it’s no surprise that honu often live to be over 100 years old. The Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle was once classified as an endangered species but has managed to make a dramatic increase in population. You are very likely to spot honu when taking a Maui tour, but please remember to keep your distance. These creatures are still listed as endangered, and a minimum distance of 10 feet is needed.
2.) Kohola – Hawaiʻi Humpback Whales
Some visitors specifically plan their trip around whale season to be sure to catch the wondrous sigh of the humpback whale or kohola. Every year, over 10,000 whales travel from Alaska to the warm seas of Hawaiʻi to give birth and nurse their young. They may be found in Hawaiʻi’s waters from November to April, and they seem to prefer the shallow passages surrounding Maui Nui. In Hawaiian culture, humpback whales are held in high respect. Whales are regarded to represent ʻaumakua, or physical manifestations of an ancestor’s soul, as well as the animal form of Kanaloa, Hawaiʻi’s ocean god.
3.) Nai’a – Hawaiʻi Spinner Dolphins
Often found in the warm shallow bays surrounding Hawaiʻi, the nai’a, or Hawaiian spinner dolphins are both beautiful and friendly. While there are actually four species of spinner dolphins, the nai’a can be spotted easily thanks to their pink or white belly, dark gray stripe on their backs, light gray stripes on their sides, triangle-shaped dorsal fin, and thin beak. If you’re lucky, you may even see a few nai’a tagging along with the humpback whales! It is important to remember to never throw anything at or attempt to feed these sea creatures, even if you want to get their attention.
4.) ‘Ilio Holo I Ka Uaua – Hawaiʻi Monk Seal
Thought to have been around for millions of years, this particular species of seal is only found in Hawaiʻi. In fact, ‘ilio holo i ka uaua is the state mammal of Hawaiʻi. There are few left in the wild today, so these adorable seafaring mammals may be a bit more elusive than others. Though they may look cute, ‘ilio holo i ka uaua are not afraid to roar or even bite at visitors who get too close or come between a mother and her pup. They are considered a good omen in Hawaiian culture, and especially so with there being so few left in the wild. Hawaiian monk seals are federally protected animals and should not be approached within 50 feet.
Learn more on the Road to Hāna
5.) Nēnē – Hawaiʻi Goose
Hawaiʻi’s state bird, nēnē, or Hawaiian Goose, is the only remaining species of Hawaiian goose that remains out of six that once existed on the islands. It is believed that the nēnē migrated here thousands of years ago and by 1890, nēnē had disappeared from all islands except for Hawaiʻi. In the 1960s, populations of nēnē were reintroduced to Maui and since then, they have reestablished themselves across all major Hawaiian islands.Taking a tour to Haleakala National Park One is sure to give you an encounter with nēnē as they are highly populated here. Remember to never feed or approach them. Only take pictures.
6.) Pu’eo – Hawaiʻi Short Eared Owl
Puʻeo is only one of two different owls that can be seen throughout the islands of Hawaiʻi. A puʻeo sighting is considered a good omen. These Hawaiian short eared owls may be mistaken for a common barn owl, but you can tell the difference due to their smaller size and their piercing yellow eyes. They are commonly seen in Maui but are considered endangered on the island of O’ahu. These animals are considered sacred guardians that belong on both heaven and earth.
7.) Jackson Chameleon
After being introduced to Hawaiʻi in 1971 from Tanzania and Kenya, Jackson Chameleons established populations in Maui as well as the Big Island and O’ahu. These creatures are a sight to see, that is if you can spot one! They are masters at blending in with their environment. While the Jackson Chameleon is a fascinating sight to see, they are, unfortunately, an invasive species that tends to destroy native spiders, insects, and snails. Nevertheless, they should be left alone as it is illegal to transport them between islands.
Travel Pono
We want to help you do those things “pono” (in the right way).
Our Commitment:
“To impart to our guests a genuine understanding of the aloha spirit and help them to travel pono by fostering care and respect for our community, environment and host culture.”
The Hawaiian culture is all about sharing. Sharing from ancient times through to recent history, they have shared to such an extent that they’ve given almost everything they had, including their lives. We all want Hawaiian culture to grow and thrive again. Simply feeling the aloha and expressing it shows respect for the culture, and helps it grow stronger. A resident shows respect to a visitor by sharing aloha and welcoming the visitor by returning a friendly wave. The honor system is alive and well at most fruit stands across East Maui due to the trust the residents have in the visitors.
See These Maui Animals and More on a Maui Tour!
Taking a guided tour is one of the best ways to see a variety of wildlife thriving here on the island. Being part of a guided tour will also help ensure that you do no harm to any of the animals or their habitats, so long as you follow the advice of your tour guide. The islands belong to these animals as much as it does to the kama’aina and visitors. Valley Isle Excursions offer Maui tours that will take you down the Road to Hāna or up to Haleakalā National Park where you will have the opportunity to see many of the wildlife listed above.
