The Book of Honu: Enjoying and Learning About Hawaii's Sea Turtles (Latitude 20 Books

by Peter Bennett, Ursula Keuper-Bennett

This is the first guide to finding and observing Hawaiian green turtles, or honu. It describes an exciting journey of discovery undertaken by two avid sports divers, Peter Bennett and Ursula Keuper-Bennett, who encountered their first honu twenty years ago while diving off Honokowai, Maui. The Bennetts soon realized that many honu (and green turtles worldwide) were afflicted with debilitating and potentially deadly tumors. They began to document the disease using photographs and videotape and in the process educated themselves about the daily lives of honu. To their surprise, they discovered they were the first to make prolonged observations of a marine turtle population in its natural habitat.



Drawing on their extensive experience, the Bennetts explain how to find and watch honu from shore and while snorkeling, kayaking, and especially diving. They describe the behaviors they have documented over the years and what they might mean. Their rich collection of photographs will introduce readers to honu not only as a species, but also as individual animals whose histories they have closely followed and recorded.

Thanks to a highly successful conservation and research program and protection granted by the U.S. Endangered Species Act, encounters between sea turtles and humans in Hawai'i have become common. Accessibly written and extensively illustrated, The Book of Honu will alert turtle enthusiasts and others on what to expect when they come across these gentle creatures and how to observe them respectfully.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals

152 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2008

About the author

Dr. Peter Bennett DC is a chiropractor, health coach, and passionate advocate for holistic well-being. With over 20 years of experience in the field, he has dedicated his career to helping individuals achieve optimal health and vitality.

Beyond his professional roles, Dr. Bennett is a loving father to seven children. His personal experiences as a parent have deepened his understanding of the importance of holistic health and its impact on family dynamics.

Dr. Bennett's journey began with his pursuit of a chiropractic degree, where he honed his expertise in spinal therapy and musculoskeletal health. He has since expanded his knowledge by incorporating a comprehensive approach that encompasses not only physical well-being but also mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of health.

As a health coach, Dr. Bennett empowers individuals to take charge of their own well-being. Through his compassionate guidance and evidence-based practices, he helps his clients develop personalised strategies to optimise their health and lead fulfilling lives.

Dr. Bennett's passion for education extends beyond his practice. He actively engages in public speaking engagements, workshops, and seminars, sharing his knowledge and empowering others to make informed decisions about their health. His ability to simplify complex concepts and communicate them effectively has made him a sought-after speaker in his field.

In his spare time, Dr. Bennett enjoys spending quality time with his family, exploring the great outdoors, and pursuing personal growth through reading and continuous learning. These experiences further inspire and enrich his writing, allowing him to connect with readers on a personal level.

Through his books Dr. Bennett shares his wealth of knowledge, providing readers with accessible information and practical tools to overcome challenges and transform their lives. With his unique blend of expertise as a chiropractor, health coach, and father, Dr. Bennett brings a holistic perspective to his work that resonates with readers seeking comprehensive solutions for their well-being.

Whether he is working directly with patients or crafting written works, Dr. Peter Bennett remains committed to empowering individuals to take control of their health and live life to the fullest. His passion, experience, and dedication make him a trusted resource for anyone seeking to achieve optimal wellness.

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My sweet bride has a remarkable connection to honu; there has never been a time in Hawai'i when at least one has failed to come and swim with her in the ocean. On our most recent visit to Honolulu, she was swimming inside the reef on Waikiki, while the snorkel boats were taking people outside the reef to "Turtle Town" to see the honu feeding and playing, and a single turtle swam up to her and spent some quality time with her. She effervesced when she told me about it on shore. My connection with these beasts is spiritual; I feel a kind of beneficence and peace offered and received when I am in the water with one. Peter and Ursula, the authors of this book, are sports divers (not scientists) who have developed a relationship with an 'ohana of honu at Honokowai, Maui. For many years, they have visited, studied, helped, protected and reported on these animals. This book is the result. Peter and Ursula do so many things right in this introduction of the green sea turtles of Hawai'i. It is beautifully illustrated with paintings and photographs by Ursula. It guides the novice into encounters and relationships with honu. They are deeply respectful of both the honu culture and the Hawaiian culture. I recall the feeling, sitting in the library in elementary school, of looking at a book about something far-away, exotic and fascinating. While this text is not aimed at a juvenile audience, it gave me the same sort of feeling. The text discusses the life cycle of the turtles, the daily life of the turtles, and the challenges which they face. Reading this book made me happy to have a nexus with the honu, to share aloha with them, and to look forward to seeing them again.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great! I picked up this book because the beautiful photo on the cover caught my eye - and the rest of the photos throughout the book are just as engaging.

This isn't a science-y book with facts and statistics and whatnot; it's all based on observation of Hawai'ian green sea turtles by two divers without science backgrounds. Of course they consult with scientists and researchers to explain some of their observations, but you get more of a connection with the divers and the turtles than you would in a textbook. This is not to say these authors have no idea what they're talking about - they've been diving with the turtles since 1988 (if I remember correctly they logged about 2,500 hours of dive time) and have a wealth of experience from which to draw.

The authors Peter Bennet and Ursual Keuper-Bennet give loads of advice on how to find sea turtles, the appropriate ways to behave around sea turtles, and how to explain the activity you'll see when you do dive or snorkel with turtles (or see them lounging on a beach on Oahu).

If you've ever seen a green sea turtle or want to, this book is really a must-read. I had the opportunity to snorkel with turtles when I was about halfway through the book and the things I learned from it added value to my experience.

[TJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great view into the world of the Honu. I loved the photos included in this book. The book covers the entire interesting lives of the Honu. I applaud the writers for including the dangers the Honu face and let people know how to act appropriately when Honu are in the water. It was a really responsible view to be shared.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honu, what's not to love.