Aloha everyone! This photo of baby hawksbill sea turtles on Maui is a favorite of ours.

They are one of the smallest sea turtle species, reaching up to 3 feet in length and 150 pounds.

This is compared to leatherback sea turtles, which can top 6 feet and 1,500 pounds! Known as ‘ea or honu’ea in Hawaiian, hawksbills are distinguished from other sea turtle species by their sharp, hawk-like beak.

They use their beak to extract food – like sponges – from tight crevices in coral reefs.