Disney Star China Anne McClain Told to ‘Educate Yourself’ by Hawaii Governor After Petting Sleeping Sea Turtles

https://people.com/china-anne-mcclain-apologizes-after-uproar-over-petting-sleeping-sea-turtles-11692401

4 comments

  1. TLDR:

    * The Disney star, 26, recently posted a video of herself on vacation in Hawaii, where she was pictured petted a sleeping sea turtle while her sister, [Sierra](https://people.com/all-about-china-anne-mcclain-sisters-8679292), filmed the interaction. The post, which has since been deleted, garnered thousands of comments calling for the actress to apologize for cultural insensitivity — including Hawaii Gov. Josh Green.
    * “Aloha China, I urge you to educate yourself on Hawaii’s laws and the importance of protecting our marine life before visiting our islands,” Green’s comment read, according to [*Hawaii News Now*](https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2025/03/04/were-very-sorry-actress-apologizes-after-posting-video-touching-turtle-maui/) and the [*New York Post*](https://nypost.com/2025/03/05/us-news/disneys-china-anne-mcclain-slammed-by-hawaii-governor-for-touching-resting-sea-turtles-during-vacation/). “Please delete this video and do better.”
    * In a statement to the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), the *Descendants* franchise actress and Sierra apologized for their behavior and noted that they were unaware of the guidelines on wildlife, and meant no offense to the people and culture of Hawaii.

  2. Imagine being able to call someone and have a conversation rather than this dumbass article and having people flame you online because a state official flamed you online instead. Sometimes I wish the Internet was never created.

  4. Her response could have been the I like turtles meme. Missed opportunity

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