“Kermit,” the Hawaiian Monk Seal | Photo © Heidi Chang

It was a great honor to have my photograph of “Kermit,” a Hawaiian Monk Seal featured in the Contemporary Photography in Hawai’i 2011 juried exhibition. The endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal was also featured in the state of Hawaii display at the International Union for Conservation of Nature World Conservation Congress held in South Korea in 2012.

Hawaiian Monk Seals are an endangered species with only about 1,100 remaining in the world. And their numbers are dwindling.

Heidi Chang with “Kermit” the Hawaiian Monk Seal

When I caught up with Kermit, he was recovering from a serious injury on Waikiki Beach. A three-inch long barbed fishhook, used to catch Ulua, had been stuck in his mouth for weeks. Fortunately, a NOAA Fisheries team was able to catch Kermit and remove the barbed hook.

Kermit got his nickname from a seal protection volunteer, who thought the seal looked pretty green with all the algae growing on his fur. It reminded him of the Muppets character, Kermit the Frog, and the song, “It’s Not Easy Being Green.”

Spectators check out Kermit at the Contemporary Photography In Hawaii Exhibit | Photo © Heidi Chang

The Third Annual Statewide Survey Exhibition is the largest photo exhibit in the Aloha State sponsored by Pacific New Media at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa.

(The work of 49 artists is showcased in the Frame Arts Hawaii gallery, April 1 through April 30.)

Blog update:

“Kermit,” an endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal, was also featured in the state of Hawaii display at the International Union for Conservation of Nature World Conservation Congress held in South Korea in 2012.

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Learn more about the Hawaiian Monk Seal