Rocky Pupping Site Volunteer Sign Up

*Please be sure to read the HMSPO Volunteer Liability Release Waiver on this page.

Mahalo for visiting our “Rocky 2026 Pupping Site Volunteer Sign Up” page. This page serves to recruit individuals who are willing to dedicate their time and effort this summer to keeping Rocky and her most recent pup safe and protected. It is anticipated that Rocky and her pup will be at this pupping site for the 6-7 weeks following her birth on Saturday, June 13th 2026. The volunteer sign-up form allows you to specify which days and times you are available for an assignment. Any time you can contribute would be greatly appreciated. This particular site has many challenges that could create difficulties for Rocky and her pup such as off-leash dogs, fishing activity nearby, partygoers at all hours day/night, and individuals who are just not familiar with monk seal etiquette. With your help, we have a better chance of ensuring the safety of Rocky, her pup, and any other monk seals that are likely to show up.

After you sign up, you will be contacted by one of our staff who will provide you with a link. This link will take you to a page where you will find the: Volunteer Schedule, Schedule Instructions, Rocky and Pup Training Presentation, and a link to the Rocky and Pup Volunteer Facebook Group. As soon as you receive the link(s), please sign up for available date/time shifts so we can monitor the Volunteer Schedule. For general information about monk seals, please visit this site’s other pages, particular the “About Monk Seals” page. You can also find information on the NOAA Fisheries’ website at Hawaiian Monk Seal | NOAA Fisheries. Lastly, for specific information about Rocky, her lineage and how she arrived on Oahu, you can go to Monk Seal Spotlight | Melody Bentz Photography.

Again, we appreciate your willingness to be a volunteer for this amazing monk seal and her pup. Rocky is a very special Hawaiian Monk Seal, in fact, she is possibly the oldest monk seal now residing nearly full time on Oahu. With her pup count at 16, she may also hold that record for pupping. Her lineage is long and impressive check it out at the link above!

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Volunteer's Name *

Volunteer's Address (include street, city, state, zip code) *

Phone Number *

Text Notification Approval (check one)

• Yes, you can text me
• No, you cannot text me

Email *

Why do you want to volunteer? (please make it brief) *

Days/Times You Are Available (check all that apply) *

• Sunday (9 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
• Sunday (1 p.m. – 6 p.m.)
• Monday (9 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
• Monday (1 p.m. – 6 p.m.)
• Tuesday (9 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
• Tuesday (1 p.m. – 6 p.m.)
• Wednesday (9 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
• Wednesday (1 p.m. – 6 p.m.)
• Thursday (9 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
• Thursday (1 p.m. – 6 p.m.)
• Friday (9 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
• Friday (1 p.m. – 6 p.m.)
• Saturday (9 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
• Saturday (1 p.m. – 6 p.m.)

Please check the day(s)/time(s) you are available to serve as a Rocky and pup volunteer. Shifts are five hours in length. Volunteers will need to provide their own transportation to the pupping site. Your wellbeing is important to us so please have necessary rations to stay alert, protected and hydrated. We encourage our volunteers to have all the necessary items and equipment for your health and comfort, such as chairs, food, drink, sunblock, etc. as this particular site has limited conveniences, no shade, and parking can be difficult. We appreciate your commitment to Rocky and her pup. Disclaimer: If HMSPO finds during the first few assignments that a volunteer is not performing their assigned duties as directed or in a manner serving the monk seals or organization, HMSPO reserves the right to dismiss that volunteer.

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Comments regarding your schedule

Submit your volunteer form to HMSPO Administrator

HMSPO Volunteer Waiver and Release Form

By submitting the completed “Rocky Pupping Site Volunteer Sign-Up Form” I do hereby understand:

1. I release and forever discharge and hold harmless the Hawaiian Monk Seal Preservation Ohana, hereinafter HMSPO and its successors and assigns from any and all liability, claims, and demands of whatever kind of nature, either in law or in equity, which arise or may hereafter arise from the activities a Volunteer with HMSPO, including claims of negligence.

2. I understand and acknowledge that this Release Discharges HMSPO from any liability or claim that I may have against HMSPO with respect to bodily injury, personal injury, illness or death, or property damage that may result from the services the Volunteer provides to HMSPO or occurring while Volunteer is providing volunteer services.

3. I understand that services provided by me to HMSPO may include activities that could be dangerous to me, such as, but not limited to any and all injuries that occur during my shift at Nimitz Beach Pupping Site. I hereby expressly assume the rest of injury or harm to me from these activities and HMSPO from all liability for injury, illness, death, or property damage resulting from the services I provide as a Volunteer or occurring while I am participating in events.

Volunteer Guidelines

What is an HMSPO Volunteer?
 
An HMSPO volunteer is a good volunteer who is empathetic, reliable, adaptable, and committed, bringing energy, patience, and a positive attitude to effectively support our organization’s mission.
 
What does an HMSPO Volunteer do?
Perform education and outreach duties to the public when monk seals haul out and humans are in the area.
Make the public aware of NOAA distance and monk seal etiquette guidelines to ensure they stay outside established perimeters around the monk seals(s) to decrease human interactions.
Ability to maintain calm in potentially stressful situations.
 
Requirements of an HMSPO volunteer:
Be at least 18 years old.
Must have the ability to maintain a calm demeanor in potentially stressful conditions.
Ability to effectively communicate with each other, our staff, and most importantly, respond appropriately and calmly with the general public in potentially stressful situations and settings. 
Physical ability to perform their “duties as assigned” taking into consideration any limitations, locations and/or weather conditions that may pose a hazard to yours and others wellbeing.
Have all the appropriate items and equipment to not only perform your duties but also to ensure your comfort, such as chairs, food, drink, sunblock, etc. at the assigned site as most of the volunteer opportunities are outdoors and may not have all conveniences accessible.
Have a positive team-based work ethic and attitude.
Must have access to a phone and/or computer to receive communications about your volunteer assignments.
For the safety of our volunteers, the public, and the animal(s), it is advantageous for volunteers to have a smartphone for communications and documentation (such as disturbance of a seal or a seal with an injury).
Disclaimer:  If HMSPO finds during the first few assignments that a volunteer is not performing their assigned duties as directed or in a manner becoming to the organization, HMSPO reserves the right to dismiss that volunteer. 
Note:  Not all volunteers who signup will result in a volunteer assignment.