Below is an example of what Barb & Rob dealt with on Tuesday (veterans day) at the beach. They had 3 seals ( 1 molting ) and this crowd. As Barb mentions most were respectful but for the few that weren't well its a challenge. I applaud them for doing all the right things, calling NOAA, calling the base police, etc.
I wanted to put this out for two reasons... First as volunteers... we are powerless over this type of crowd... the best we can do is try to get people to understand and keep the animals safe... and to call the authorities, do not handle this on your own... Secondly, as the population on the main Hawaiian Island grows, there needs to be the proper authorities in place that will do something... It is unacceptable there was this situation with 3 seals and no officials were there to help with crowd control. okay my nickels worth ~donna~
Here are a few photos of the seals Benny, Irma, and Kermit who hauled up on White Plains Beach. We did the best we could trying to keep people out of the zone area with the 3 seals. Most people were good, but there were some who just didn't respect our wishes. The last straw was when some one threw a football from the water area where Irma and Benny were resting. The football hit poor Benny right in the head and he was startled, turned quickly to face his enemy. We didn't know which creep did it. Called out Base Police, they came, warned the folks to stay back but as soon as they would move away, the people would move up again. We were shocked at the people and how the seals just continued to stay in the same spot. You could see the stress in Irmas face.
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5 comments:
That day was the worst day of trying to educate public.Most people listened but the few that didnt' we wanted to crank em!!! (Sorry, I'm nonviolent most of the time).But that day was unbeliveable!!!! Other folks who met us out there also tried their best to help us. The crowd was just too big, too excited, too crazy!!!!! I thank life guards, base police and regular citizens for their help. The authorities got to plan on how to control this type of a day in the future. I was thinking, the MONK SEALS are WILLING TO SHARE THE EARTH, WHY CAN'T HUMANS?? They got here first...they are the true HAWAIIANS!!! Pure Blooded! Give them the space they need, especially IRMA as she is molting!!!!! Hello!!!!
Ya know, I was down at DH beach the other day, and I came upon two human guys resting on the beach, and one up on a rock. They were obviously resting, and now that I think about it, I did my best to go as far around them as possible so as not to disturb their peace. That was just a natural reaction. It would never even occur to me to throw a football at their head. WTF?!? Are people just missing an empathy chip? Poor Benny!
This needs to be addressed in homes and schools in a big way. This is a parenting issue. We need more Outreach programs for kids of all ages, particularly middle school and teens. Maybe the Y? I can try to set something up with my son's public middle school, and maybe the Hawaiian immersion school over in Palolo. If that's a possibility, give a holler.
We are all trying to work in outreaching to the public and getting beach goers to be more respectful of the land and the animals living upon it.
I have sent this information to some "friends" and hope they will try to help us in reaching out to the community that is without a doubt the most diffcult to reach. The Native people, whether they are Hawaiian or otherwise.
I have also been told by people with a great deal of insight and authority, the Mommas and children are who we have to educate, inspire compassion in. The Daddy's will follow along once we accomplish that goal. Not an easy one, obviously.
There is an Outreach Program once a month in Kapiolani Park and another outreach interview program is planned with local leaders in the very near future.
Let's all hope it makes an impact and influences some of the toughest people I've ever run across when it comes to Aloha.
Dana
Then again, the most obnoxious teen I know - quite capable of being the football thrower - is bright white and goes to an expensive private HS that shall remain nameless.
I suppose there's always that 2% of the population that are sociopaths, no matter where you are or what you do. Maybe with that large a crowd, we were lucky to only have Benny hit with one football.
Outreach should help, though. Kids and mamas, yep...and local fishermen. Keep on keepin' on!
There is a monk school curriculum set to go now. We've presented it in several schools, grades 4 & 7--one period in length. If you find an interested class, let Jen Metz of NOAA know and we can schedule it. It's aimed at helping kids understand why we need to protect monk seals. Kathy
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