Marine Mammal Center in Hawaii

To report a marine mammal in distress, call the Marine Mammal Center 24-hour Hotline at 415-289-7325
To report a Hawaiian monk seal sighting on Hawai‘i Island, call the Marine Mammal Center at 808- 987-0765
To report a Hawaiian monk seal sighting on other islands, call the Marine Mammal Center at 1-888-256-9840

The Marine Mammal Center is the lead responder for Hawaiian monk seals on Hawai‘i Island and Maui. They advance global conservation through marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation, scientific research, and education.

It is the world’s largest marine mammal hospital, covering a rescue range that spans 600 miles of California coastline and Hawai‘i. They can care for up to 300 seals, sea lions, and other marine mammals at one time.

Two Hawaiian monk seals resting together on a sandy beach in Hawaii (Photo Courtesy of Marine Mammal Center)

Key Takeaways

* Runs Ke Kai Ola, the world’s ONLY dedicated hospital for Hawaiian monk seals, on the Big Island.

* Open to visitors only on the first Saturday of every month, 10:00am-12:00pm, via a free Open House.

* Tickets are free – reserve via Eventbrite recommended, but walk-ins are welcome.

Endangered Hawaiian monk seal lying on the shore, native only to Hawaii — Hawaiian Monk Seal (Photo Courtesy of Marine Mammal Center)

Want to learn about monk seals? Check out my Amazing Monk Seal Facts blog!

How to Visit

Ke Kai Ola hosts a free Open House on the first Saturday of every month, where you can tour the facility and learn how the veterinary team cares for Hawaiian monk seals.

Opening Hours: First Saturday of the month, 10:00am–12:00pm
Tour Times: 10:00am, 10:30am, 11:00am, 11:30am, 12:00pm
Cost: Free (reserve via Eventbrite; walk-ins welcome even if a slot shows “sold out”)
Location: 73-731 Makako Bay Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Groups: For community events or larger groups, submit a request through their community events form rather than showing up unannounced

Since Ke Kai Ola operates on a shared research campus and only opens monthly, I would recommend calling ahead at (808) 326-7325 if you have accessibility needs or questions about parking.

Hawaiian monk seal pup at Ke Kai Ola hospital in Kailua-Kona (Photo Courtesy of Marine Mammal Center)

Virtual Option

Explore their work in Hawaiʻi on their virtual tour, where you’ll have the chance to visit Ke Kai Ola Hawaiian Monk Seal Hospital and see monk seals in their natural environment. You will also discover ways you can help conserve Hawaiian monk seals no matter where you live in the world.

Hawaiian monk seal patients recovering in a pool at Ke Kai Ola hospital (Photo Courtesy of Marine Mammal Center)

Want to learn about harbor seals? Check out my Amazing Harbor Seal Facts blog!

Hawaiian Monk Seal Conservation

Despite protection under the Endangered Species Act, Hawaiian monk seals confront threats: habitat loss, marine debris entanglement, predation, and human disruption. Conservation efforts focus on shielding their habitats and lessening human impacts.

They provide medical aid to injured or sick seals. Raising public awareness is key to preserving this unique species and its role in the marine ecosystem.

Check out this amazing video!

Ke Kai Ola Hawaiian Monk Seal Hospital

To save the critically endangered Hawaiian monk seal, the Marine Mammal Center runs a state-of-the-art hospital and visitor center on the Big Island of Hawai‘i. It includes rehabilitation areas for seal pups, larger pens and pools for juveniles, quarantine areas, and medical facilities.

The hospital focuses on rescuing and providing critical medical care to sick, injured, or malnourished monk seals. Their goal is to rehabilitate these animals and eventually release them back into the wild to contribute to the recovery of the species.

Check out this amazing video!

Marine Mammal Center: What They Do

The Marine Mammal Center focuses on three primary areas:

Animal Care

They provide medical care and rehabilitation to sick, injured, or distressed marine mammals such as seals, sea lions, and otters. They operate as a hospital facility, providing medical care, nourishment, and a safe environment for injured, sick, or stranded marine mammals.

The center nurses these animals back to health, with the ultimate goal of returning them to their natural habitats.

Marine Mammal Center veterinary staff examining a monk seal patient (Photo Courtesy of Marine Mammal Center)

Research

The center conducts scientific research to better understand marine mammal health, behavior, and threats they face. They contribute valuable insights to conservation efforts aimed at protecting these animals and their ecosystems.

Education

They educate the public about marine mammals and ocean conservation. Also, they educate about the importance of ocean health through various outreach programs and initiatives.

Marine Mammal Center educator teaching visitors about ocean conservation — Education at Marine Mammal Center (Photo Courtesy of Marine Mammal Center)

Planning a mainland trip instead? My full guide to the Marine Mammal Center in California covers their Sausalito headquarters, which – unlike Ke Kai Ola – is open to the public daily.

Marine Mammal Center: Where They Work

Sick and injured animals receive the best care at the Center’s state-of-the-art veterinary facilities.

They have several facilities strategically positioned across this region to rescue, rehabilitate, and release marine mammals. These locations include:

Sausalito – Main Hospital & Headquarters
Kona, Hawai‘i – Ke Kai Ola Hawaiian Monk Seal Hospital
Castroville – Monterey Bay Operations
Morro Bay – San Luis Obispo Operations
Anchor Bay and Fort Bragg – Northern Range Operations

Marine Mammal Center volunteers preparing food for Hawaiian monk seal patients (Photo Courtesy of Marine Mammal Center)

Want to learn about elephant seals? Check out my Top Amazing Elephant Seal Facts blog!

Be a Part of the Marine Mammal Center in Hawaii

You can give and help the Marine Mammal Center in their mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and advocate for marine mammals in several ways. For this purpose, here are some options:

Check out this amazing video!

Donate

One of the most impactful ways to support the Marine Mammal Center is through monetary donations. Visit their website and navigate to the “Donate” section to find options for making a financial contribution.

Rescued Hawaiian monk seal supported by Marine Mammal Center donations — Marine Mammal Center (Photo Courtesy of Marine Mammal Center)

Volunteer

Hawaiʽi Island Animal Care Volunteers support rehabilitation efforts at Ke Kai Ola, their Hawaiian monk seal hospital, by providing daily care for their patients. Duties include preparing food and feeding patients, cleaning pens and equipment, and updating patient charts.

Adopt a Seal

When you adopt a past patient you’ll receive a personalized, physical adoption certificate with the animal’s photo and story on the back, and your symbolic adoption will make a difference in the lives of current and future patients.

Seals (Photo Courtesy of Marine Mammal Center)

Become a Member

Explore the different membership options available. As a member, you’ll enjoy special benefits and your tax-deductible donation will support life-saving work to advance marine mammal rescue and conservation efforts globally.

Hawaiian monk seal in the wild, protected through Marine Mammal Center membership support — Hawaiian Monk Seal (Photo Courtesy of Marine Mammal Center)

Shop in Their Store

The Marine Mammal Center operates an online store where you can purchase merchandise such as clothing, accessories, and educational materials. By shopping in their store, you not only get quality products but also contribute to their cause.