DB Post Tuesday 11.30.09

I redid Right Spot's cordon at 0545. When I got back in daylight I found that she has FINALLY begun her molt. Those little pin point breaks on her throat and chest from yesterday, had enlarged and the rest of the chest looks ready to go. She has remained there all day. I'll be returning shortly.

On my first look at Rabbit Island at 0714 I found M38 and Buster at the left end of the beach, Kolohe at 3BS and Sadie at the far right end of the beach. Of course it would take all morning to actually get all those ID's. At 1024, RIP hauled out to 1BS and spent the day near M38 and Buster. On a pan at 1037 I found Mikala just hauling out at the right end. She would move up and join Sadie for the day.

Team Billand reported a 50% molted Kermit at WP at 0600.

I went to Sandy Beach at 1800 and sat there waiting for just the right amount of darkness, and lack of people , to pick up the rope. Since it was pouring rain it was only us Monk Seals out there. To my complete surprise Right Spot just up did two series of galumphs and entered the water , swimming off into the darkness at 1821. I want to believe that she has come to her senses and that she will swim to Rabbit Island and complete her molt, but...... yeah....right, like That's gonna' happen !!!! Only Right Spot Knows .

Right Spot

Kermit

DB Post 11.29.09 Sunday

Right Spot was once again waiting for me when I pulled into Sandy Beach at 0545. She has remained there all day. She has a couple of very tiny breaks on the throat and chest, but has a very long way to go on her molt.

The highlight of the day came when my wife and I did the 0800 Spitting Cave check. Lo and Behold we found Duke and Buster frolicking and feeding (mostly frolicking). They were all over the place and their dives were totally erratic. This marks the first time that Duke has been documented anywhere but Rabbit Island. Buster was at Spitting Cave yesterday, so I presume Duke got there on his own. Duke had been MIA from RI for a couple of days.

The Rabbit Island cast for today began with Sadie snoozin' 30 ft left of 1BS. She would be joined at 1041 by Mikala.

Team Billand reported a 40% molted Kermit at WP at 0647, and called again at 1300 with the report of 2AW once again at Tracks.

I picked up the Right Spot rope at 1845. She was still there.

Duke & Buster

Buster
Duke
Mikala & Sadie
Right Spot
2AW
Kermit

DB Post Saturday 11.28.09

I know it's beginning to sound like "Groundhog Day", but the day started off with Right Spot at SB at 0545. Still no evidence of molt. She has remained there all day, amidst lots of poop. Lesley said that downwind was not a good place to be !

The Rabbit Island cast for today began with M38 at 1BS, at 0653. I've been seeing him every morning but he is usually gone by the time I get back to the pier. Today, he remained all day. According to my records he is due to molt, which might explain his stay this time around.

When I got back to Makai Pier at 0945 I found RIP, 20 ft left of M38. There was no observed interaction, and RIP remained there all day.

On a pan at 1034 I found Mikala lying near RIP. She hadn't been there a second ago. She moved off 10 ft left of RIP and remained there all day. There was no observed interaction.

Team Billand called at 0600 with the report of Kermit, once again fronting #1708 at White Plains. They checked in again at 1350 with the report of 2AW at Tracks.

Colleen called at 1346 to report that Rocky is home ! She was at the Black Point end of Diamond Head, at a location which was impossible to get around without coming close to her. Rocky does that............alot ! Colleen said Rocky was lookin' chubby. When I saw the photos my reaction was .....Wow !!! That girl is definitely lookin' chunky ! Hmmmmm?

I got mail from Val on Molokai, after I sent out the dailies yesterday. She had a shot of Benny ! I'd last seen him at Sandy Beach at 1700 on Thanksgiving day, and the next day, he was at Molokai. Amazing !!

I picked up Right Spot's rope on the way home from an airport run, at 1930. She was snoozin'

Mikala RIP & M38

Buster
Right Spot
Rocky
2AW
Kermit .. rotting/molting

DB Post Friday 11.27.09

Right Spot spent yet another day at Sandy Beach. She still shows no sign of starting to molt, but the behavior is certainly there.

The Rabbit Island cast began with M38 up in the Morning Glory to the left of 1BS, at 0700. When Buster hauled out to 1BS he and M38 had a bit of a spat, but both quickly went to snooze mode. When I got back to Makai Pier at 1010 , M38 was no longer there, and I did not see him again today. I did , however, find that Mikala had joined Buster and they would remain there together all day.

On a pan at 1010 I found Sadie just moving up into the Morning Glory at the right end of the beach. She would move down to cool off at 1145, and remained there the rest of the day.

Team Billand reported Kermit at WP at 0600, and called again at 1540 with the report of 2AW at Tracks.

Right Spot remains at Sandy Beach. I picked up the rope at 1845.

mikala & buster

sadie right spot
kermit
2aw

Ho'ailona (KP2) Update from the Mainland

Aloha good people... here is an update from the folks looking after Mr. Adorable... I apologize this should have been posted 2 days ago, but between the holiday, work schedule and life in general time got away from me. What is special about any of this, is the common thread between us .... the care, love and dedication to the Hawaiian Monk Seals and specifically.... Ho'ailona, KP2 !
~donna~

Hi All,

I just wanted to send a quick email to everyone (please send to any others who may be interested) that Hoailona made it to Santa Cruz safe and sound. He is currently swimming and hauling out in his "sealarium" that is maintaining some balmy Hawaii temps (water = 22-27C) and air temps that have been matching well. After his 21 hour transport (including 10 hours of LA and assorted traffic), he took in 2 pounds of herring at 3 am PT. Everyone is exhausted but the seal came through bright, attentive and bouncy. (Actually brighter and bouncier than us
this morning.)

We'll be working on getting his feeding up to pre-transport levels. Today he seems more curious about people that food. Thanks to everyone who made this transport go off without a hitch and for the opportunity for working with this seal.
The aloha spirit was quite evident. I'll send a couple of pictures from the transport in the next email. We have a lot to be thankful for - so Happy Thanksgiving!.

Best from Santa Cruz,
Terrie and the mainland monk seal team

DB Post Thanksgiving Day 09

The overriding rememberance of this Thanksgiving Day is the thought that I BEEN BENNIED !!! My day began with a call from posse person Mike at 0521, from Sandy Beach, stating that "both the animals are still here" . Tanx Eh , Mike !. When I arrived at 0543 I found Right Spot and Benny right where I'd left them last night, but Benny was alert and heading for the water, and as I put up the rope, he departed. Right Spot would remain there the rest of the day.

When I got back to Sandy Beach at 0622 I found that Irma had hauled out at the far east end of the beach. She would remain there all day.

On my first look at Rabbit Island I found M38 and Sadie just moving down out of the Morning Glory, 50 ft left of 1BS, and a 0720 I found Kolohe and Duke at the right end of the beach. Both would remain there all day.

At 0811 I got a call from Betty at Hanauma Bay reporting that one of the tourists had reported a swimming seal . When I arrived and looked from the overview, I found nobody. I half joking said that science wouldn't allow it but I knew it was Benny. The answer would be found when I got to Spitting Cave (ha,ha,ha).

I arrived at Spitting Cave at at 0835, and at 0837 here came Benny around the point swimming into Maunalua Bay. He was in travel mode, and there was ample time to see his facial scars. He was to the second point to my right and I assumed he was on his way to Diamond Head and points beyond, however, he turned and headed back toward the point. I lost him in the glare, but called to advise the Hanauma Bay people to be on the lookout, and after a half hour more at Spitting Cave, I returned to Hanauma Bay. Though I stayed there for an additional half hour I found nobody, and after a short stay at Blowhole to see if he might haul out again at Sandy Beach, I returned to Makai Pier.

On my second look at Rabbit Island I found that RIP and Mikala would join the cast. After a brief spat between RIP and M38 as Mikala hauled out , M38 would depart. I did not see him again today.

At 1056 I got a call from Tracy reporting that another animal, in addition to the two that were already there, had just hauled out. When I arrived at 1109 there was Benny , once again along side Right Spot. After some PR and cordon adjustment I returned to Makai Pier.

At 1209 I got a call from one of the posse members I've given cards to, reporting that "there was a small animal on the rocks at Sandy Beach, in front of "where the other one was" getting worked by the surf on the rocks. As we talked she said that everything seemed okay now and that the small animal was now in the water. When I asked which way the animal was traveling, she said it was headed in a Makapuu direction, right along the beach. I packed up at the pier and hurriedly made my way to Sandy Beach, knowing what I was going to find.

Sure enough, on arrival I found a crowd of people surrounding the cordon around Irma and Benny lying along side her. The people had all followed him as he moved down the beach. After lots of PR, and some cordon adjustment I returned to Makai Pier. On my 1500 check all Sandy Beach cast members were in snooze mode. I'll be returning shortly to reassess.

Team Billand called at 0632 to report a D#1 , molting Kermit at White Plains, and then again at 1124 to report 2AW at Tracks.

When I got to Irma's location at 1830, she was still here, however Benny was gone. Right Spot was also still at her location at 1845. I picked up the ropes and called it a day at 1900.

DB Post 11.26.09 (cont)

Irma

Right Spot & Benny
Benny & Irma
Kermit beginning his Molt

Happy Turkey Day!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

WISHING YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES ALL THE BLESSING YOU DESERVE.

AND AN EXTRA BLESSING TO OUR BELOVED HAWAIIAN MONK SEALS

DB Post Wednesday 11.25.09

Off and on rain episodes (mostly on in the afternoon) made it a less than ideal day, but there was a bumper crop of critters.

When I pulled into Sandy Beach there were the dynamic duo, Benny and Right Spot , right where I'd left them. Lesley braved the rain for a while there. Thank you very much. They were still there on my 1500 check. I'll be returning shortly.

It took her a while , but Irma showed up again today. On my 0920 look at Irma's there was her "N3ness" approximately 100 ft east of the Kealahou traffic light at Irma's. She has remained there all day, and once again, I'll be checking on her shortly. Mark , from PIFSC called at 1111 to advise that he had done Irma's right side N3 bleach. I checked it at 1500, and it looked great.

The Rabbit Island cast would begin on my first look at 0648 with M38 at 3BS. When I got back to Makai Pier at 1025 he was no longer there , and I did not see him again today.

At 0700 I became aware of a tiny sliver of new belly up in the grass at the right end . It would take until midday but it turned out to be Kolohe.

When I got back to MP at 1025 I found Buster, along side Mikala, at 1BS at the left end, and Duke was hiding amongst the Duke sized rocks at the right end of the bleach. He was the rock with the N18.

Team Billand reported Kermit once again at WP, where he appeared to have overnighted again.

Another Team Billand call at 1632 reported a fully molted 2AW at Tracks.

At 1835 on my Irma check I picked up the rope and left the signs. Irma was still there. At 1845 Benny and Right Spot also showed no interest in leaving. I picked up my rope and went home.

DB Post 11.25.09 (cont)

Irma

Kermit
2AW

DB Post Tuesday 11.24.09

Right Spot provided yet another first for me this morning. Until today a 4 day/3 night stay was my longest stay , without leaving the beach. With my arrival this morning , finding Right Spot waiting for me, exactly where I'd left her, she has set a new Oahu record of 5 days / 4 nights. She has remained there all day. Tomorrow ?????????

On my 0730 , Spitting Cave check I found Buster doing consecutive 7 minute dives.

Rabbit Island was bare on my first look, but when I got back to Makai Pier at 1000 I found RIP and Mikala lying close together fronting 1BS. They remained there all day, with no observed interaction.

Team Billand reported Kermit at WP at 0617. He has apparently been overnighting also.

At 1630 posse person, Stacey Stella called. "There's Two Animals Here !!!!!". Here was Sandy Beach. Off I scurried, and at 1640 found that Benny's Back !! There he was lying along side Right Spot. According to witnesses, he had come in from the west, swimming the full length of the main beach at Sandys, about 20 ft off shore, right through all the bodysurfer, and causing quite a ruckus. This is a classic Benny entrance. He is never conservative. Stella said there was quite a bit of talking going on between the two, as you can well imagine, but when I arrived things had settled down.

Regular Benny watchers will know that he was hanging out with Right Spot in early November at Sandy Beach. His last day at Sandys was 11-13. On 11-14 he did a Waikiki stopover, and then on 11-15 arrived at White Plains. He as last seen by Team Billand on 11-17 at Maili Pt. Benny's Back !

Lesley and I stayed at Sandy Beach until 1845. The duo was still there. I picked up the rope and left the signs. As usual I'll hope for the best.

Thank you from Barb Part II

Those of us who know Barb.... know how big her heart is and that she would not rest if she forgot anyone... so here is Barb's continued thanks.
Donna, Blog Mama....

I forgot two very important folks in my Letter of Thanks....Dera, whom we never met sadly, but spoke to on the phone briefly...I have had all good reports of YOU DERA on how you handled KP2. If my super volunteers say..Dera is so good...I will take their word for it. Thank you for realizing, just how much KP2 means to all of us and for your special attention in handling him with Compassion.

And then there was Beau!!!! We met Beau, while he fed KP2 his herring. This tall, guy with a big heart and knowledge, we saw his thinking and knew, how to handle our special gift....KP2. We saw KP2's reaction, looking ansi, waiting for the man with the FOOD!!! Kp2 would hang out near where Beau came in the tank for the feed. That smart cookie KP, just knew already when the food was coming and where the food may come from...THat is so Smart!!! We have faith in you Beau and your team in Calfornia...we know, KP is in good hands. THANK YOU!!!

One more thing, Thanks to the crews of the Coast Guard for transporting little KP2 from Kauai, to Oahu, to Molokai and to the last group of men transporting KP to California. Your care and attention of this State Mammal is appreciated.

Big Mahalo to all of you involved with this INCREDIBLE MONK SEALS JOURNEY, Our Adorable.....KP2!!!

From my heart to yours...God bless...Our Thanksgiving will be a very happy one, due to all of you Awesome human beings!!

A Thank you Letter from Barb

To KP2's MOM...
You missed out on a wonderful son..KP2, SHAME ON YOU!!!

To NOAA...
Thank you for going in to rescue KP2 on Kauai that day in May 08!! For finding excellent help in saving this sweet seal. For sticking right through all the troubles, all the dead ends, on what to do with this seal from Kauai. Since May 08, you all worked hard in finding a way to raise him...You saved KP2's LIFE!!!

Marine Mammal Center...
Thank you for teaching us how to care for a pup, how to observe him and do data sheets. For finding the formula to feed him. You are extraordinary, gifted, caring folks, all of you!!! WE have learned so much from YOU.

Veterinarians...
Oh my gosh...you are so patient, very knowledgeable, loyal, kind, understanding...just plain...AWESOME. Thank you for saving KP. Thank you for noticing his eye problems.

To the MOLOKAI Volunteers....
Thank you for your time spent watching over KP2, for saving him from harm at the Harbor all those months. For using the Palm Frond to make him move on...For your devotion to one sweet Kid...KP. All is appreciated!!!!!!!

To the Kauai Volunteers....
Thank you for traveling here to Oahu, taking shifts to watch KP2. Such great people who cared!!!

To The Waikiki Aquarium...
For providing a temporary home for an abandoned blind seal, for putting up with all us volunteers, hanging around the tank. We meant no harm to NUKA what soever..We just wanted to observe our little KP2. NOTE: For me, I fell in love with NUKA. I hear his enormous voice. I never saw him once, but watching the trainer...she showed me how much work she put in to keeping NUKA comfortable, loved always, how she looked HAPPY to see him daily. How she fed him with great care. She made me cry when I witnessed her KISS NUKA..OH HOW TOUCHING THAT WAS. AWESOME DEVOTION. THat is what we want to do for KP...care for him too. My prayers are with NUKA and his trainer...GOD BLESS YOU!!!

Oahu Volunteers....
We all did our share of caring for KP. I think we all done good. Team work is amazing. Thank you for your loyalty to KP2. Thank you for your time and patience and spending all those hours with him from morning sunrise to late sunsets and more. Kp2 looks really healthy for being an abandoned pup. I think he knows how much we all LOVE HIM!!!!

Lastly....
Thank you Robert...my husband!! For putting up with me all these weeks. For listening to my worries of KP. For sitting there in our tiny space on all our sittings. I so appreciate you Robert!!!! I'm glad we both had this opportunity of caring and watching this magnificent mammal. Now you have to listen to my missing KP2...I know you got those big shoulders for a reason... KP2...
Oh how we love you KP. You have taught us so much on WHAT A HAWAIIAN MONK SEAL IS ALL ABOUT!! You have shown us your strengths, how smart you are. We loved watching you swim about the tank, in the sea pen, how you just go in the carrier cage without a problem. How you LOVED your MOI, YOUR taKo, how you adapted to all thrown at you, like eating HERRING instead of Talapia. Oh yes, we are all proud of our little KP2!!! Oh how we will miss our visits with you..we'll miss that sassy big mouthed Bah!!! Those eyes are so spiritual, your face so handsome, your swimming so smooth and FAST. Gosh, we will miss you KP2.

When you come home, we will all be waiting...hoping you'll be able to SEE US!!! God bless you KP2...thank you for being a good boy...you have grown to be A MIGHTY HAWAIIAN MONK SEAL.....LOVE YOU ALWAYS!!! Safe Journey...B

And just let me add a big thank you to you Barbara for your enormous heart... and your acknowledgement of everyone here... pretty much says it all. (oh and after speaking with Barbara I know she wants to extend a special thanks to Dera & Beau).

DB Post Monday 11.23.09

When I pulled into Sandy Beach at 0545, there was Right Spot , right there where I'd left her last night. So far she is on the 4 day , 3 night SB package. She has remained there all day. I'll be returning to check her shortly.

On my 3 look at Irma's at 0828, I found Irma, 300 ft east of the Kealahou traffic light. She has remained there all day, and I'll be rechecking her at dusk.

It was "Weaners Only" day at Rabbit Island. Mikala hauled out to the left of 1BS at 0913, and the "likely looking rock" I'd see up in the grass at the right end of the beach proved to be Duke. They ruled RI today.

Team Billand reported Kermit at 0828 , once again, fronting cottage #1708 at White Plains.

KP2 Helps Clean Up

This evening was my last shift with Mr. adorable... so while draining the tank for the evening the little bugger grabbed the brush and took off with it... Sure going to miss my time with him. By the way, tonight he did amazing while eating.... sucked down two pounds of herring in no time at all.

DB Post Sunday 11.22.09

Sandy Beach, bodysurfer posse person Mike, called at 0543... "she's still here " . When I arrived at 0547, I found Right Spot right where I'd left her last night. I put up the cordon and she remained there all day. I'll be rechecking her in a bit.

When I got to Makai Pier at 0846 I found Buster snoozin' 50 ft left of 1BS, and Kolohe up in the grass at the right end of the beach. Both would move down to cool off but remain at those locations all day.

At 0936 as I was looking at Buster, a small pair red tagged, hind flippers rose up from behind Buster's body. It would take until 1120, but it would prove to be Mikala. She remained there with Buster the rest of the day.

Team Billand checked in at Kermit , once again fronting the cottages at WP. It appeared that he overnighted. An 1830 call from the Billands indicated that Kermit was showing no inclination to leave WP.

At 0918 the Billands found Rocky in the keiki pool behind Kermit's Reef on the right side of Nimitz jetty.

I picked up the rope and left the signs at SB. Right Spot looks settled in for the night.

Buster & Mikala

Kolohe

Right Spot

Kermit

Rocky

A Letter from Val

Aloha Kp2 fans,
I had the opportunity to spend last Thursday with Kp2. I was first greeted by Da Blog lady at the airport, treated to a visit to the Seal Whisperer and arrived at the Waikiki Aquarium to meet Colleen (my favorite seal sign maker) and finally got to peek over the edge of the tank to see our little Kp2. Wow, what a thrill. I had watched this little seal in the “wild” on Molokai for almost 7 months. He looked beautiful swimming around in his little blue tank. Seeing him in the tank made me somewhat sad, but…I know that this story will have a happy ending, Kp2 will live the rest of his life being the great monk seal ambassador.
As I reflect on the past 7 months, I think of all the phone calls volunteers received concerning Kp, the trips to the wharf, the interesting people that got to see and sometimes touch an animal that they could never touch in the wild. We got to tell his story to so many…many that would never know about the plight of the Monk Seal if not for Kp2. I think of his little fan club in Cross Plains, Texas, and all the folks that stop me on the street to ask about him. Wow, this seal is a “GIFT” as his new Hawaiian name states. If there wasn’t a Kp2, I might not have all these special seal friends. Kp2 changed my life and I am so grateful.
Finally, after 7 months of obeying the rule of “No touching” I was given the opportunity to touch Kp2. This is a moment I shall never forget, as I petted him I felt the love and bond that we had developed over these many months. He knew I was there on Molokai to help protect him. As the day ended for me I leaned over the tank for one last encounter with him with tears in my eyes, I reached out my hand and he came and nuzzled it as to say good-bye and our eyes met and than he gave out one big snort!! Sounds crazy but it was an absolutely prefect way for our special time to end. Kp was saying, “Now go on, you’ve got seals to find on Molokai and I’ve got my job to do here and I’ll be just fine.”

Special thanks to the Billands for taking me back to the airport, and for capturing the beautiful final moment between Kp2 and me.

val bloy
Molokai

DB Post Saturday 11.21.09

I made an early morning airport run to drop off the wife, so I was on the beach bright and early (or I should say dark and early) this morning. At 0536 I found Right Spot waiting for me , exactly where I'd left her last night , fronting the Half Point rocks at Sandy Beach. I am reasonably sure that she pulled an overnighter. I cordoned her off again, and she has remained there all day. I'll be returning shortly.

Despite lots of driving and lots of looking on the Irma Quest, I never found Irma today, and it was not until 0936 that I even saw another animal. I had gotten back to Makai Pier at 0930 , and Buster hauled out to the left end of the beach shortly thereafter. He would initially move up into the Morning Glory , 40 ft left of 1BS, but later moved down to the water line to cool off, and spent the rest of the day there.

At 1014 , Sadie hauled out 50 ft left of 1BS, and she remained there all day. At 1344 she was joined by Mikala. There was no observed interaction but they remain there close together the rest of the day.

On a pan at 1058 I found Kolohe just hauling out at the right end of the beach. He would remain there by himself , the rest of the day.

Team Billand reported Kermit at the cottages, at White Plains at 0840.

When Right Spot moved up instead of down at 1827, it was abundantly clear that this girl was going nowhere. I picked up the rope and left the signs. As always, I'll hope for the best.

DB Post Saturday (cont)

Right Spot

Kermit