HONOLULU (KHON2) -- The Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC) has announced a historic milestone: the first confirmed discovery of a nesting site for Hawaiian green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas), known as honu, on Kahoolawe. Get Hawaii's latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You This significant achievement follows a routine access visit and marks a crucial advancement in conservation efforts for this threatened species, which is listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). “This discovery is not just a win for the ecological restoration of Kahoolawe; it symbolizes hope for the recovery of the Hawaiian green sea turtle population and the island’s remarkable capacity for healing,” said Michael Nahoopii, KIRC’s Executive Director. “Witnessing this return of life to the island’s shores is a testament to the progress we’ve made in restoring the health of Kahoolawe.” Duke’s Ukes competition returns to Kahala Mall For the past two decades, KIRC has focused on removing invasive buffelgrass from Honokanaia beach and replanting native akiaki grass. Dr. Sheldon Plentovich, Pacific Islands Coastal Program Coordinator with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, noted the impact of this restoration. “The replacement of invasive buffelgrass with native akiaki grass has undoubtedly made the area more suitable for nesting honu. Buffelgrass forms mats that are difficult for honu to dig through, while the native akiaki grass grows more sparsely, allowing honu to easily excavate their nest chambers, typically between 50 and 100 cm deep.” Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news “This is an extraordinary milestone for our conservation efforts on Kahoolawe,” added Naho`opi’i. The discovery reflects a breakthrough in understanding the ecological significance and success of KIRC’s long-term restoration initiatives.