Saving Hawai‘i’s Honu, from Reycraft Books, Tells an Inspiring True Story of Animal Conservation
The picture book introduces readers to a young man who made it his mission to prevent green sea turtles in Hawai‘i from becoming extinct.
NEW ROCHELLE, NY, Jun. 30, 2025— Leading children’s trade publisher Reycraft Books is pleased to announce the publication of Saving Hawai‘i’s Honu, written by Leslie Ann Hayashi and illustrated by Kelly Pousette. Released on June 30, 2025, the nonfiction picture book tells the story of George Balazs, who set out to help the honu, or green sea turtles, of Hawai‘i, once he discovered just how small their population was. His efforts led to actions that brought about a positive turnaround for the turtles.
As shown in the book, young George sees his first honu during a trip to Tahiti, and it changes his life forever. After moving to Hawai’i to study animal science, he discovers that many of the green sea turtles are being used by people as both food and a source of jewelry. George then wonders how many honu are actually left in Hawai’i. He sets out to count them all and finds that the total number is alarmingly low—and getting even lower, because of all the hunting. With the turtles facing extinction, George takes it upon himself to advocate for their protection—but he will have to overcome a variety of challenges and inspire others to join his cause.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Leslie Ann Hayashi is a retired judge and the author of numerous books, including A Fishy Alphabet in Hawai`i, Aloha `Oe: The Song Heard Around the World, His Majesty’s Goldfish and Baby Dino’s First Lu`au. In addition to writing, she enjoys creating art and spending time with her husband, Alan, and their two adult sons, Justin and Taylor. She especially enjoys watching her first grandchild, Tanni, grow and learn about the world.
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR:
Kelly Pousette is originally from the west coast of British Columbia. Primarily self-taught, she experiments with both traditional and non-traditional techniques, often incorporating mixed media. Using paper-cut pieces and building dioramas, Pousette creates magical, whimsical stories and scenes. She currently resides in Northern British Columbia with her husband and their very large dog, Clovis.
Hayashi explained that the idea to write the book came from her childhood friend and frequent creative partner, illustrator Kathy Wong Bishop. “Kathy suggested the idea after she learned about the honu’s near extinction,” the author said. “That inspired the creation of a book about George Balazs, the man who saved Hawai`i’s honu. I’m drawn to stories that are true. There are so many inspiring stories of people who have helped to make the world a better place and I want to celebrate their contributions.”
A resident of Hawai’i herself, Hayashi also wanted to convey what a special place it is. “Many of us [living here] feel very connected to the āina, or land,” she said. “We want to be good stewards, especially since Hawai`i is the endangered species capital of the world.” (Of the approximately 1,670 endangered plants and animals listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, nearly a third are found in Hawai‘i.)
In addition to telling the story of George Balazs’s efforts, Saving Hawai‘i’s Honu includes a timeline of the honu life cycle, fascinating facts about the species, and tips on what any one person can do to help protect the population and enable it to thrive. Hayashi hopes that with all this information, along with George’s story, readers will be inspired to embark on their own journeys of discovery and action. “The main thing I want readers to take away from the book,” she said, “is to have the courage to ask a question and then find the answer.”
ABOUT REYCRAFT BOOKS: partners with award-winning and up-and-coming authors and illustrators, primarily from underrepresented communities, to provide high-quality books that delight, inform, and honor the voice and vision of all children. Founded in 2019, the imprint publishes authentic stories—engaging picture books, transitional chapter books, middle grade books, graphic novels, and more—that build knowledge, perspective, and connection, meeting the diverse needs of children, families, and educators.