About The Project
Challenge and inspire others to have a wildlife viewing experience that's #AmazingFromAfar.
Your choices today will forever change Hawai‘i. Make good ones that are Kind to Oceankind.
Sea turtles, spinner dolphins, Hawaiian monk seals, and humpback whales are part of what makes Hawaiʻi special. These animals all have a unique and vital role in the ecosystem.
Whether you’re a visitor, community member, or simply love Hawai‘i, we all have a responsibility to ensure these precious species are here for us, future generations, and continue to remain a special part of Hawaiʻi.
The simplest first step you can take is to always admire wildlife from afar.
You also consider yourself a respectful person. So show your respect and care for the wildlife and people who call this place home. It’s our kuleana (responsibility) to mālama `āina (care for the land and sea).
More and more people are showing they are respectful and care by never getting too close to wildlife, especially these endangered and threatened species.
Know the Minimum Distances
These species are amazing from afar. Viewing distances have been set by the U.S. federal government. Knowing and following these minimum distances from wildlife not only saves you from legal fines and a guilty conscience, it also protects wildlife, maintains the ecological balance, and shows your respect for the Hawaiian people.
Distance Infographic showing sea turtles, spinner dolphins, monk seals, and whales
Never Get Closer Than:
- 10 feet (3 m) from sea turtles
- 50 feet (15 m) from monk seals
- 50 yards / 150 feet (46 m) from spinner dolphins
- 100 yards / 300 feet (91 m) from humpback whales
If you are approached by a spinner dolphin, take immediate action to move away 50 yards. Why might a spinner dolphin approach?
Distances apply to all ways in which you or something you control could get close to wildlife no matter where they roam.
That includes swimming or paddling (kayak, stand-up paddle board, canoe), operating a motorized vessel, or flying a drone, helicopter, or plane. When sea turtles or monk seals are on land or in shallow tide pools, the distances still apply.
Your choices today will forever change Hawai‘i. Make good ones that are Kind to Oceankind.
Why These Distances Matter
Being a respectful viewer of protected marine species honors their Hawaiian cultural and spiritual significance as native species. Keeping the federally established distances also prevents multiple types of harm that come from people getting too close.
Every living thing has a role
When we make sure not to disturb animals, we get to experience and benefit from their natural way of life.
The populations of ‘īlioholoikauaua (Hawaiian monk seal), nai‘a (spinnerdolphin), honu (green sea turtle), and koholā (humpback whales) have been struggling to thrive in the face of many pressures.
We humans must focus our attention on relieving those pressures and the very least we can do is not disturb them by trying to get too close or otherwise interact with them.
Pono people respect and protect wildlife by always keeping their distance. There has never been a historical, cultural, or spiritual acceptance of swimming with these marine species in Hawai‘i.
“Inā mālama ‘oe i ke kai, mālama no ke kai iā ‘oe—if you care for the ocean, the ocean will care for you.
This Hawaiian proverb eloquently expresses the reciprocal relationship so important to maintaining healthy and productive natural systems and using and managing resources sustainably. As with indigenous peoples across the Pacific, kanaka maoli (Hawaiian people) held reciprocal relationships with their island environment, communities, and ancestors—relationships that were essential for survival and that persist today. The foundational element of this relationship with nature is that kanaka (human beings) and their environment share a familial relationship. Inherent in this relationship is practice of self-restraint and concern about the well being of future generations. Rules that guide behavior are often tied to spiritual beliefs concerning respect and reverence for the ‘āina, the virtues of sharing and not taking too much, and a holistic perspective and understanding of organisms and ecosystems that emphasize balance and coexistence.” (Maui Nui Makai Network, 2020, p. 7)
Research has shown getting closer than these distances may result in:
- Separation of mothers and their young.
- Disruption of migratory patterns.
- Disruption of social groups.
- Disruption of resting activities.
- Interference in breeding and/or reproductive and rearing activities.
That’s why laws have been created to set specific viewing distances and to ban certain actions and activities. More and more people are showing they are respectful and care by never getting too close to wildlife, especially these endangered and threatened species.
Where To Go
Visit Our Partners
These businesses on the Big Island are recommended because they are helping extend the reach and impact of this campaign to encourage people to know and care about maintaining distance from protected species and respecting our oceans.
Boat, Dive, and Snorkel Tours
- Captain Zodiac — For over 45 years, offering adventurous and entertaining tours that create connection to the past, present, and future through sustainable travel.
- Sea Quest
- Aquatic Life Divers — Empowers people to become better stewards of our marine environment while making memories of a lifetime through a variety of tours, SCUBA, and opportunities to participate in citizen science.
- Kona Diving Company
- See Through Sea
- Body Glove — Offers a variety of cruises along the Big Island of Hawaii's Kona Coast, including dolphin adventures, dinner cruises and whale watching tours.
- Jacks Diving Locker — A family-run dive shop that aims for perfection in sharing the underwater world, with a focus on friendship, a spirit of adventure, and a commitment to safety, the environment, and our community.
- Liquid Cosmos Divers— Small group private charters for certified divers of all levels who want to “get off the beaten path” to explore incredible coral reefs.
Kayak, Stand-Up Paddleboard, and Snorkel Gear Rentals and Guided Tours
- Ehu and Kai Adventures
- Bay Side Adventures
- Snorkel Bob’s
- Kona Boys — Amazing opportunities to explore the Kona Coast, learn about the Hawaiian culture and have the best day of your vacation whether through guided tours or beach and ocean gear rentals.
Hotel Partners
Share the Love on Social
The ocean covers 71% of the earth’s surface so it’s only fitting we have not one, but TWO Instagram hashtags you can use to inspire and challenge others. We can’t do everything, but we can all do something to help our ocean rebound in the face of many pressures. So start by encouraging others to admire wildlife from afar and be kind to oceankind.
We would love to see your photos posted using #AmazingFromAfar in your caption on Instagram. If you keep your profile set to private, you can direct message your photo to us @amazingfromafar.
If you take a photo or video using the camera zoom or cropped it so the wildlife appears closer, please add that to your caption. If you were following the laws and guidelines in a way that might not be clear in the photo or video, please provide those details in your caption. These details help others understand how such photos may be accomplished without getting too close.
Aloha from Afar: Say aloha and display your love for wildlife from a distance with this respectful pose.
Kōkua Wildlife: Share your passion to help (kōkua) wildlife by sharing this protective pose.
Show Your Shaka: Hang back from wildlife and hang loose with a classic Hawaiian gesture.
Honu Hold: Sea turtles (honu), sand, and surf — an epic experience in the palm of your hand.
More and more people are showing they are respectful and care by never getting too close to wildlife, especially these endangered and threatened species.
Instagram Contests & Giveaways
We would love to see your photos posted using #AmazingFromAfar in your caption on Instagram. If you keep your profile set to private, you can direct message your photo to us @amazingfromafar.
Inspire others by sharing your photos and videos on Instagram with our hashtags, #KindToOceankind and/or #AmazingFromAfar.
Don’t share location specifics with your photos or videos. Instead, tag @AmazingFromAfar in your caption and ask others to learn more first and pledge to be Kind to Oceankind to earn the same privilege you did.
If you keep your Instagram profile set to private, you can direct message your photo to us @amazingfromafar. We’d love your permission to share them in our Instagram stories, so be sure to let us know if that’s okay with you.
Safe Wildlife Distance Campaign Contributors
Dr. Katie Abrams
- Assistant Professor
- Department of Journalism & Media Communication, Colorado State University
- katie.abrams@colostate.edu
- 970-491-5315
Sara Melena - Education Specialist
- National Park Service Lead on Project
- Office of Education & Outreach
- Natural Resource Stewardship and Science
- National Park Service
- sara_melena@nps.gov
Tara Teel - Associate Professor
- Co-Principle Investigator
- Department of Human
- Dimensions of Natural Resources, Colorado State University
- tara.teel@colostate.edu
Kirsten Leong - Social Scientist
- Important Contributor
- Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center
- National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
- kirsten.leong@noaa.gov
(formerly with the National Park Service when she helped initiate this project; she continued to contribute her expertise to the project as-needed)
Graduate student contributors:
- Caitlin Evans
- Ashley Gramza
- Heather Young
- Department of Journalism & Media Communication, Colorado State University
Want to work with us?
We’re open to collaborations with individual parks (national, state, and county), organizations, and businesses that are interested in improving communication around human-wildlife conflict issues.
Colorado State University offers wordclass expertise in this area with our Center for Science Communication in the Department of Journalism and Media Communication. This new center is under development and formalization but our faculty are already leading numerous projects in partnerships with the National Park Service, United States Department of Agriculture, United States Forest Service, and United States Geological Survey.
Dr. Katie Abrams, Assistant Professor
Department of Journalism and Media Communication, Colorado State University