Sea Turtle Name: 'Aukai Date of Birth: 26 July 1998 Place of Birth: Kaua'i, Hawai'i This cute Hawaiian turtle, who wants to be adopted by you, is named 'Aukai (OW-ky). 'Aukai means swimmer in the Hawaiian language. If you're swimmer, you'll love "Aukai. He will tell you how to move fast in the water, and how to float when you're tired. He'll remind you to be safe when you swim. In old Hawai'i, there were green sea turtles-called honu-everywhere. The waters around the islands teemed with these noble swimmers. Bays turned dark with turtle shells when thousands of honu came together for their shoreline visits. Hawaiian dancers loved watching the movements of the turtles, the way they propelled themselves through the water with powerful strokes from their flippers. The dancers learned to mimic the turtles, swimming through imaginary water, and stretching their necks to the surface for air. Hula dancers still perform turtle hulas--called hula honu. Please take special care of 'Aukai, your strong-swimming, good-floating green sea turtle from the Island of Hawai'i.