Wetland birds such as the aeʻo (Hawaiian stilt) and the ʻaukuʻu (black-crowned night heron) forage and breed in the calm, flooded areas inside the fishpond walls, and the park offers sanctuary and forage for migrating shorebirds such as ʻakekeke (ruddy turnstone) and kōlea (Pacific golden plover). Basking honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles), resting on the hot sand, delight and fascinate. Federal law protects them from harassment, in and out of the water.