NOAA’s official name of individual Hawaiian Monk Seal is the ID Tag numbers where it has on the hind flippers. NOAA calls the seals by ID Tag numbers, such as RG40 Holokai, RJ58 Kaimana, RL36 Makoa, etc.
“R” represents of the Main Hawaiian Islands
2nd alphabets “G”, “J”, “L”, etc. represent of the seal’s birth year. For example, “G” is 2015, “J” is 2017, “L” is 2019, etc.
Two-digit numbers are individual seal’s personal number. The seal receives two sets of numbers for two flippers. So, RG40 Holokai has G40 and G41 on its flippers.
Holokai, RG40’s one of his flippers. G40 and G41
Usually, newborn pups receive their ID Tags at their health assessment right after the pup’s mother weaned her pup.
However, Oahu and the Island of Hawai`i are giving the Hawaiian Name alongside NOAA’s official name to the newborn pups every year.
So far, on O`ahu, there are five newborn pups in this year 2020. They received their own Hawaiian names.
PO1 — Kahukai: Guardian of the Sea
He was born on February 21st on Manana (Rabbit) Island to Pua, RF34 (born on April 3, 2014, to Sadie, RB12/13’s 2nd pup)
PO2 — Nohea: Lovely
She was born on April 6th on O`ahu coastline to Kaiwi, RK96/97 (born on August 11, 2011, to Irma, R010) Nohea has two siblings, Kawena, RH36/37 (born on June 15, 2016) and Wawamalu, RK24/25 (born on April 23, 2018)
Nohea is 3 months old female pup
PO3 — Momona: Abundance
He was born on April 16 on Manana (Rabbit) Island to Aukai, RL12/13 (possibly) (born on June 12, 2012, to M&M, R020) Unfortunately, NOAA could not verify the mother of PO3 yet, because of the pandemic’s Social Distancing rules.
PO4 — Ikaika: Strength
He was born on April 23rd on the North Shore beach to RL42/43 (born on July 24, 2012)
He has a big sister, Hinakokea (Hina), RK40/41 (born on May 5, 2018, as RL42’s 1st pup)
Photo by my friend, Joyce on May 31, 2020
PO5 — Makanalani: Gift of Heaven
The pup was born on June 5th on Manana (Rabbit) Island to Sadie, RB12/13 (possibly) (born on April 10, 2007, to Ewa Girl, RS00) Unfortunately, NOAA could not verify the mother and gender of PO5 yet, because of the pandemic’s Social Distancing rules.
Photo by HMAR
