Overnight camping at Bellows suspended for the return of nesting sea turtles

Photo By Sgt. Brandon Aultman | Two baby sea turtles make their way to the ocean during an excavation at Fort Hase Beach, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Aug. 10, 2021. The natural wildlife and landscape is a precious resource to both MCBH and the people of Hawaii, and we take seriously our stewardship role of protecting these resources. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brandon Aultman)  

WAIMANALO, HAWAII, UNITED STATES

05.04.2023

Story by 1st Lt. Mark McDonough 

Marine Corps Base Hawaii

MCBH PRESS RELEASE

MARINE CORPS TRAINING AREA BELLOWS - With the return of the sea turtle nesting period approaching, Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i (MCBH) and the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) are announcing the suspension of overnight at camping for Bellows Field Beach Park from Tuesday, May 16 through Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.

This approximately 15-week suspension applies to overnight camping and the twilight use of the bathroom and shower facilities. Weekend day-use of this popular stretch of beach in Waimānalo will continue as regularly allowed, as will military training exercises on the weekdays, though protection measures for identified nesting sites will restrict access to those areas.

The campground closure may be extended past Labor Day Weekend camping period (beginning Sept. 1, 2023) should the existence of additional nesting sites be observed. Further updates will be provided as we approach that holiday weekend.

DPR also plans to use this camping suspension period to renovate the public comfort stations (bathroom buildings) and trim ironwood trees in these areas.

This suspension is necessary to ensure the safety of this federally-protected, culturally significant, endangered species as the turtles nest, incubate, and hatch along this popular shoreline. Community, military, and park officials have documented several human activities in this area that threaten the safety of the nesting turtles, such as: illegal beach off-roading, camping fires, dogs, illegal trash dumping, and the presence of artificial lighting.

Once a nesting site is confirmed, the area surrounding the nest will be cordoned off from human use. Signs will be posted at the public facilities with information about the turtle nesting sites. We encourage everyone to report any disturbing or illegal behavior against the turtles or nests by calling [phone] or [phone].

Since 2020, green sea turtle nesting sites have been documented along this pristine, Windward O‘ahu shoreline. Though the exact reason for this previously unprecedented arrival is not completely certain, the first recorded use of these beaches by the nesting turtles coincided with pandemic park closures which resulted in significantly less human visitation to the beach. Mahalo to the public and the community for their patience and understanding while camping at this location is suspended.

Bellows Field Beach Park, located at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, is one of 17 campgrounds operated by DPR. Three-day overnight camping is normally allowed at one of the campground’s 50 campsites with a permit. For information about this and the other 16 campgrounds, including how to apply for a camping permit, please visit: https://camping.honolulu.gov

Separate cabin/campsite rentals are operated by Bellows Air Force Station and are available for booking by eligible patrons such as active duty military, veterans, and Department of Defense employees. For more information visit: https://www.bellowsafs.com/cabins

If you need an auxiliary aid/service, other accommodations due to a disability, or an interpreter for a language other than English in reference to this announcement, please call DPR at [phone] on weekdays from 7:45 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. or email: [e-mail]

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POINT OF CONTACT:
1stLt Mark McDonough
Communication Strategy and Operations Officer
Marine Corps Base Hawaii
[phone]
[e-mail]

• Date Taken: 05.04.2023
• Date Posted: 05.04.2023 22:03
• Story ID: 444075
• Location: WAIMANALO, HAWAII, US