First photo: Maui Ocean Center assistant curator Jim Luecke carries a juvenile green sea turtle past a crowd of spectators Thursday morning during the release of five 2-year-old turtles into the ocean at Kaanapali Beach. The event featured educational displays and talks as well as a traditional Hawaiian blessing by kahu Dane Maxwell. The turtles were hatched at Sea Life Park on Oahu in July 2009 and have been raised at the Maui Ocean Center since August 2009.

Second photo: Turtle fans go in for close-ups Thursday.