Hōʻailona was found on the island of Kauaʻi in 2008, after he had been abandoned by his mother at birth. His discovery was the beginning of a journey for Hōʻa, which on November 1, 2011, led him to a home at the Waikīkī Aquarium in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Waikīkī Aquarium is partnering with NOAA Fisheries to provide education, conduct outreach, and continue studies necessary to gain important information on monk seal health and disease.