And we almost had a serious incident shortly after ya'll had left. Irma had moved more to the right of the lagoon (closer to the smaller wade pool area).
The area was starting fill up with more people and little kids. So I was re-attaching the caution tape that had run from the water line up to the beach. And talking with some people, when this little toddler (probably around 2 years old) goes trotting by with the mother about 5 feet behind (head down,and I guess looking for shells) heading straight for Irma.
Myself and about 4 other people started shouting at the mom. But she's not paying attention (didn't even notice the signs). Then the toddler see Irma and takes off at a stumbling run to Irma. Now we're really yelling and that's what probably saved the day.
Finally the mother looks up and We're yelling at her to grab the kid and run up the beach to the grass area. Which she luckily did. Cause the only access back to the ocean for Irma was directly over the kid. Which is what she was intending to do. Fortunately, after the lady and kid was safely away Irma settled back down and continued her snooze. Myself and about 4 other people started shouting at the mom. But she's not paying attention (didn't even notice the signs). Then the toddler see Irma and takes off at a stumbling run to Irma. Now we're really yelling and that's what probably saved the day.
All the yelling causes Irma wakes up ( to see what all the racket is about) and sees this toddler about 5 feet away. She whips around, lunges and barks at the kid. The kid, now scared to death, falls down. And starts crawling backwards trying to escape this angry beast. Finally the mother looks up
Man, that scared the crap out of us all. That toddler would have been trampled by Irma. Not that Irma would have attacked, just trying to escape back to the water. The Mom later came up to me and apologized for not paying attention and not seeing the signs posted. Whew... gave us all a scare.
Anyway, know one got hurt and Irma settled down and spent the rest of the day relaxing. She finally left at 4:00 p.m. on her on accord heading west bound.
Hopefully she'll be back tomorrow.
Aloha...Clay and Niele
Irma resting
Additional photos from Team Billand
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1 comment:
Holy crap, that was an exciting story Clay Gates. I was on the edge of my chair reading it. So glad, the kid got away, the mom finally woke up and Irma was fine, went back to resting. See what I mean???? Signs posted, ropes blocking off the area and still....people go right through. This could have been dreadful, THANKS CLAY AND THANKS TO THE OTHERS WHO GOT THE ATTENTION OF MOM. You know what, not long ago, one day I was looking for shells myself and was just five feet from Makaiwi at Nimitz. Rob tried calling me on cell, I didnt get any calls. He then ran down to yell at me, and, luckily, reached me in time before stepping on Makaiwi. She blended in so well with the rocks...so I guess it happens. But there werent any signs or ropes up in my case. Once this guy saw all the ropes and signs, came up to investigate what was the set up for. I said, the seal, dont ya see it. And he went..WHAT SEAL..it was right in the middle of the perimeter set up. Then he goes, "YOU MEAN THAT ROCK LOOKING THING??" DUH...He. He.
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