Aloha mai kākou! Enjoy our latest blog from the Summer 2026 Crew Lead, Dwight 
Aloha all,
Dwight here! It’s great to be back on Hōlanikū! This is my third time out here, and the island never ceases to amaze me.
Since arriving a few weeks ago, we’ve already had some amazing highlights! We’ve celebrated two birthdays on the island and have played a variety of card games, board games, and video games together. We’ve also watched several movies, the most recent being Atlantis: The Lost Empire and Sheep Detective.
Diane’s ice cream has been a huge hit, too. She’s made coconut, matcha & Oreo, key lime pie, and Nutella flavors!
Our ʻuaʻu kani (Wedge-tailed Shearwaters) have been laying eggs over the past few weeks. We’ve seen the last nunulu (Bonin Petrel) chicks fledge, and we’re seeing more and more adorable little ʻaoʻū (Christmas Shearwater) fluff balls in their nests. The pier is empty of our beloved kaʻupu (Black-footed Albatross), though. The last chick at the pier fledged in the past couple of days, and we’re seeing fewer and fewer of them around the island overall.
The new team is getting up to speed so quickly, and I’m so proud of everything they’ve accomplished in just the past few weeks!
We’ve been busy running transects, searching for Verbesina, and monitoring several of our seabird populations.
I’m really excited for the next few months, though in a couple of weeks we’ll have to say farewell to our two beloved monk seal technicians from NOAA/NMFS. It’s been a blast having them here and learning more about Hawaiian monk seals from them.
Hoping all is well beyond Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary!
– Dwight
