Dear World Turtle Trust Supporter: Aloha, and many thanks for your continuing support of the World Turtle Trust's sea turtle preservation mission. In this, our Year 2004 Annual Report, we give you a synopsis of our activities and accomplishments, plus some essential information on the WTT, including our Mission Statement, a description of our Board and staff, and how you can contact us.
Activities and Accomplishments WTT Directors Journey to Costa Rica
Playa Grande Beach | World Turtle Trust founders Laura Sasaki and Roz Rapozo journeyed to Costa Rica in January to review and assess one of the projects that the WTT is funding--the Costa Rica Leatherback project being run by Dr. Frank Paladino of Indiana-Purdue University. Dr. Paladino hosted Laura and Roz on-site at Playa Grande Beach in Guanacaste Province, where they checked out the ongoing conservation efforts there. They also got to witness a leatherback nesting on the beach, which is always a highlight for WTT volunteers. Playa Grande ("Big Beach") is part of Las Baulas Marine National Park, which the WTT had a hand in creating back in the early 1990's (under their former name, The Honu Project). |
Honu Beer Donates to World Turtle Trust
 | In 2003, the World Turtle Trust was chosen by the makers of Honu Beer to receive a donation for every bottle of Honu Beer sold. In 2004, this came to fruition when Portland Brewing (the maker of Honu Beer) launched Honu Beer into the Hawaii market place. The kick-off was on January 19, and on May 23 (at Sea Turtle Day at Sea Life Park on Oahu--see below), Honu Beer presented their first check to the World Turtle Trust, in the amount of $3135. We were thrilled! The bottle label tells purchasers that a part of the proceeds is going to the WTT, and the bottom of the six-pack has a longer explanation of the link between Honu Beer and Hawaii's honus. The story of Honu Beer's inception is an interesting one, and can be seen on the World Turtle Trust's web site here . 
Drink a Beer, Save a Turtle |
Projects Represented and Funded 
Villagers in India learn how to become members of the Sea Turtle Protection Committee in this Interpretation Center, established in part with World Turtle Trust funding | During 2004, the World Turtle Trust represented five sea turtle conservation efforts from around the world on their new web site, and they sent grants to these projects totaling $5,500. |
Sea Turtle Day at Sea Life Park
World Turtle Trust Educational Booth | Early in 2004, the World Turtle Trust and Sea Life Park decided to collaborate and create "Sea Turtle Day in Hawaii" at Sea Life Park. The first such event kicked off on May 23, with World Turtle Trust staff in full form, talking to booth visitors, conducting television news interviews, and speaking to the crowds. For a news story about this event, click here . |
A friendly turtle greets the keikis | 
WTT Board Member John Lindelow bearing the first check from Honu Beer, which was presented at Sea Turtle Day | 
WTT staff and supporters celebrate the end of a long day with a Honu Beer |
Hawaii State Legislature Commends World Turtle Trust
Resolution Commending World Turtle Trust
Click image for full-size version | In 2004, the State of Hawaii's House of Representatives issued a resolution commending the World Turtle Trust for its continuing efforts in sea turtle conservation. "BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2004, that this body hereby commends and congratulates the WORLD TURTLE TRUST for their continuing efforts in raising awareness of the plight of sea turtles, and extends its warmest aloha and best wishes for continued success in all future endeavors." The full-sized resolution can be seen by clicking the images to the left. |
Sea Turtle Independence Day at the Mauna Lani Resort on the Big Island
WTT Board Member Roz Rapozo manning
the WTT booth and talking turtle | On July 4, 2004, WTT Board members Roz Rapzo and John Lindelow operated a WTT booth at "Sea Turtle Independence Day", an annual event sponsored by the Mauna Lani Resort on the Big Island of Hawaii. The Mauna Lani Resort raising baby turtles in its extensive fishponds, until they are large enough to fend for themselves in the wild. Then, each July 4th, they hold a huge celebration to release the year's crop of new turtle, and give them newfound independence. |
| 
As the crowd watches, a turtle is about to achieve independence | 
WTT Mentor and leading Hawaii turtle expert George Balazs show a 1-year old green turtle to a visitor | 
The rarely seen "Honu Hula" was performed as a blessing on the newly released turtles |
WTT Publishes New Brochure and Adopts New Logo 
| In 2004, the World Turtle Trust introduced their new logos, and a new brochure. Shown here are two variants of the logo, depicting a sea turtle floating above the Earth (left) and floating with light behind (right). |  |
Public Service Announcements Produced and Aired
 | World Turtle Trust volunteer and videographer Rob Kinslow created several Public Service Announcements for the WTT in the Fall of 2004. The 30-second PSA's were narrated by Hawaii celebrity and musician Henry Kapono, and were shown widely on several Hawaii television stations. The PSA's feature the plight of the leatherback sea turtle and encourages the public to take action to save them. |
Dr. Frank Paladino Lecture Event
 | Dr. Frank Paladino is one of the world's foremost experts on leatherback sea turtles, and is one of the leatherback's champions in their fight against extinction. Frank has worked extensively to preserve this unique and wonderful species of sea turtle--by far the largest and most amazing of them all. On October 26, World Turtle Trust hosted a well-attended public lecture and Powerpoint presentation by Dr. Paladino at Haunama Bay Educational Center on Oahu. Frank was in Hawaii with his family, attending his son's wedding, so we were lucky to get some of his time. The WTT also succeeded in getting some great television news announcements of the lecture aired before the lecture event. An interesting interview with Dr. Paladino can be seen here . |
Sea Turtle Bronze Monument at Kealia Pond 
Dale with another of his fantastic bronze turtle scuptures | World Turtle Trust Board Member and Artist Dale Zarrella has been working for years to complete and install a bronze of a nesting Hawksbill turtle at Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge on Maui, and 2004 was the year of completion. [An image of the completed sculpture is not yet available ...] |
The World Turtle Trust's Board of Directors, Officers & Staff The World Turtle Trust is composed primarily of seven dedicated individuals-Laurie McKeon, Roz Rapozo, Laura Sasaki, John Lindelow, Janet Kelly, Angela Dunham, and Dale Zarrella. These seven wear many hats, serving as Board members and Officers, and as the complete administrative and program staff of the World Turtle Trust. In 2004, all served as volunteers, and all have other full-time occupations. The World Turtle Trust continues to be assisted at nearly every turn by a variety of volunteer professionals and other individuals who are concerned about the plight of the world's sea turtles, and who want to help the World Turtle Trust in its efforts. Many thanks to all of you who have contributed your time, energy, or funds to assist our efforts.
Mission Statement The World Turtle Trust is a Hawaii-based, non-profit wildlife conservation organization dedicated to the preservation of sea turtles and their habitats. The World Turtle Trust was formerly called "The Honu Project", named after the Polynesian word for the green sea turtle: honu [pronounced "hoe-new"]. Modern science shows that sea turtles have been swimming the Earth's oceans for well over 100 million years. In addition, the turtle is an important symbol in the mythologies of many indigenous cultures, usually representing creation, longevity, and wisdom in these belief systems. Turtles are thus truly ancient beings-both in geological and mythological terms. As integral parts of the marine ecosystem, turtles are also useful "indicator species" whose health is indicative of the vitality of the overall marine environment. Sea turtle populations all over the world have been declining at alarming rates in recent years. Sea turtles are clearly under threat of extinction. One species of turtle-the hawksbill-is considered endangered, and the remaining six species of sea turtle are listed as threatened. Immediate action is required to reverse the alarming declines of sea turtle populations the world over. The threats currently facing sea turtles include: destruction of coral reefs; loss of nesting beaches through human development activities; pollution of the oceans by chemicals and garbage; over harvesting of turtles for their shells, leather, and meat; poaching of turtle eggs; death in driftnets, gillnets, shrimp trawling nets, and other fishing gear; and the current epidemic of the deadly disease fibropapilloma, whose cause and cure are still unknown. The World Turtle Trust seeks to help sea turtles by raising public awareness about their plight, and by taking other necessary actions to protect these special beings and their habitats from destruction. The World Turtle Trust utilizes video documentaries as its primary vehicle for raising public awareness and invoking positive action. In approach, The World Turtle Trust is solution-oriented, and seeks to establish synergistic partnerships with other groups and individuals who share a deep concern for sea turtles and other endangered wildlife. The World Turtle Trust maintains an office in Honolulu, staffed by both board members and volunteers on a regular basis. Please call, FAX, or email for an appointment. |
