Race to the Sea The hatchlings go towards the sea. The brightness over the water attracts them. They crawl from the nest and begin their race to the sea. Full of life, but defenseless, they race across the beach. Their shells are soft and offer little protection. In some places in the world, lizards, crabs and sea birds chase the tiny turtles and eat them. Many of the hatchlings that make it to the water may be eaten by fish. Only a few of the hatchlings may live to become adults. Where they go to spend their first few years is a mystery. It is one of nature`s great secrets. Green turtles, for example are not seen again until they are a few years old when they are found feeding near the shore of islands like those in Hawai`i. They are then as big as a dinner plate.

Ka Heihei i ke Kai Hele na honu keiki ma kai. 'Ume ke 'alohi o ka 'ili kai ia lakou. Kolo aku lakou mai ka punana a heihei i ke kai. Piha i ke ola, aka palekana 'ole, heihei lakou ma ke kapakai. "alu"alu ko lakou mau una a 'a'ohe palekana ma laila. Ma kekahi mau wahi, hahai a 'ai iho na mo'o, na papa'i a me na manu kai i na honu keiki. Nui na honu keiki i komo i ke kai, hiki paha ke 'ai 'ia e na i'a. 'O kekahi wale no e ulu a nui a lilo i na makua. 'A'ole i 'ike i hea lakou e noho ai i ko lakoumau makahiki mua. He ho'okahi ia o na mea huna nui o keia honua. No na honu 'oma'oma'o, 'a'ole i 'ike 'ia a hiki i ko lakou piha i kekahi mau makahiki, a hiki ke 'ike ia lakou e 'ai ana ma kahi kokoke i na mokupuni e like me Hawai'i nei. 'O ko lakou nui, 'o ia no ma kahi o kekahi pa 'aina ahiahi.

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