Rocky and Kaimana: Waikiki’s Hawaiian Monk Seals

Hawaii residents and visitors fell in love with Rocky and her pup, Kaimana, because they had a rare, up-close-and-personal view of critically endangered Hawaiian monk seals normally born on secluded beaches.

Rocky and Kaimana: Waikiki’s Hawaiian Monk Seals is the true story of a mother’s love for, and humankind’s protection of, an endangered Hawaiian monk seal baby at a time when turmoil ruled the world.

Born on one of the busiest beaches in Waikiki, residents and visitors alike gave mother and baby privacy and space to grow as the seals moved down the beach to explore.

Their story is told using photographs from the media, specifically the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, and photos from Hawaiian monk seal fans and bloggers who have followed Rocky for years and have documented her life in the islands.

These two Hawaiian monk seals gave Hawaii residents and visitors an opportunity to forget about the world’s troubles and focus on a universal and local story about mother-and-child love, protection of special creatures, and stewardship of the land and oceans—things that will always be important to each of us on Earth.