Ke Kai Ola

On Hawai‘i Island, The Marine Mammal Center operates the only hospital dedicated to Hawaiian monk seals, Ke Kai Ola. The team of experts relies on the Center’s over 50 years of experience in marine mammal medicine and health to treat monk seals so they can be released back to the wild.

With approximately 1,600 Hawaiian monk seals remaining, mostly in the remote Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, every individual matters. The hospital has successfully rehabilitated and released dozens of seals since its founding, many of whom arrived severely underweight or suffering from entanglement injuries.  Approximately 30% of all the Hawaiian monk seals alive today are due to conservation efforts from groups such as NOAA and The Marine Mammal Center.

The Marine Mammal Center is the lead responder for Hawaiian monk seals on Hawai‘i Island and operates a hotline for reporting monk seal sightings. Every sighting reported provides valuable information to researchers, and response teams are ready to act if an animal needs emergency care.

The Center works closely with the community on conservation and education programs, connecting students with science and stewardship, and providing professional development for classroom teachers.