KIHEI, Maui — Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge is seeking the return of a life-like bronze sculpture of a nesting sea turtle stolen from the Kealia Coastal Boardwalk along North Kihei Road.

The donated artwork, which was installed at the last kiosk on the 2,200-foot boardwalk, was stolen sometime between Thursday and Friday morning, according to Refuge Manager Glynnis Nakai.

The sculpture shows a sea turtle nesting, complete with a chamber and eggs. It is 5 feet in diameter and 18 inches high, and weighs about 140 pounds. Nakai said it was attached with heavy bolts.

Officials are not sure how the crime was committed, as there were no vehicle tire tracks.

"It probably took quite an effort to remove it. But unfortunately, it wasn't cumbersome or heavy enough to stop someone from taking off with it," Nakai said. "They might have carried it out on the boardwalk, and maybe they used a cart."

The sculpture, installed in 2006, was a donation from Maui artist Dale Zarella and Hawai'i residents Warren and Rose Gummow, specifically for display on the new boardwalk, which is not yet open to the public.

Nakai said the sculpture was designed to help educate schoolchildren and adults about sea turtle nesting, which occurs May through September. Since the marine reptiles come ashore only at night, few people have the opportunity to witness the event.

Items featuring sea turtles have been a popular target for thieves. The refuge stopped posting turtle-crossing signs on North Kihei Road after repeated thefts.

Although the boardwalk structure is complete, Nakai said, it remains closed until the parking lot and traffic signs can be finished to ensure visitor safety.

She said the Fish and Wildlife Service is awaiting water quality certification from the state Department of Health to proceed with parking lot construction since the facility is in wetlands.

The coastal boardwalk is meant to provide a platform for birdwatchers at the 700-acre refuge, which includes some of the last remaining natural wetland habitat in Hawai'i. Hawaiian stilts, or ae'o, and native coots 'alae ke'oke'o, live there year-round, and migratory ducks and shorebirds visit in the fall, winter and spring.

Reach Christie Wilson at cwilson@honoluluadvertiser.com.