NOAA

Historian writes about complex history between China and Russia in new book; HPR's Cassie Ordonio reports on inequity of health care for Micronesian veterans; Army seed bank funded by DOD budget; Researchers share Hawaiian Monk Seal updates

U.S. authorities are offering a $5,000 reward for information on who killed a Hawaiian monk seal after one of the critically endangered animals was found dead on Oʻahu this year. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says the female seal known as Malama was found on March 12 at Ohikilolo.

A young Hawaiian monk seal has weaned and relocated, allowing Kaimana Beach to reopen after it was made off-limits to protect the endangered pup while it nursed. After weaning over the holiday weekend, the seal pup was relocated to an undisclosed location.

Meteorologists at the Central Pacific Hurricane Center have predicted a busier hurricane season for the region surrounding the state this year. Government leaders are urging residents to begin preparing emergency kits.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is closely monitoring Pualani, the Hawaiian monk seal pup who became a local celebrity after her beach birth on April 14. It is common for pups to be relocated from busy areas to more remote shorelines so they learn to coexist among other wild species. HPR's Zoe Dym has more.

The U.S. Department of Commerce is slated to give $26M to eight climate change resiliency projects in Hawaiʻi as a part of the Biden Administration’s Climate-Ready Coasts initiative, funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The birth this week of an endangered seal in Waikīkī highlights the tension between protecting the islands’ fragile ecosystems and maintaining access to the pristine white sand beaches that attract millions of visitors each year.

Ikaika, Leilehua and Alena were found extremely malnourished on different islands in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. After about 10 months at the Ke Kai Ola monk seal hospital, they were recently released on Kuaihelani, or Midway Atoll. HPR's Zoe Dym has more.

The Biden Administration just released a plan that seeks to protect ecosystems while doubling down on climate-fighting capability. HPR’s Savannah Harriman-Pote spoke to NOAA oceanographer Richard Spinrad about what the Ocean Climate Action Plan has in store.

The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary and the Pacific Whale Foundation coordinate annual whale counts to understand population trends. The number of whales sighted during peak time periods decreased by 38% compared to last year.