Tuesday, July 31, 2012

7-31-2012 DB Dailies:


At 0659 I found Buster (RV08) doing 6-7 minute dives at Spitting Cave. He was still there when I departed at 0800.

At 0859 Gayle called with the report of Kaiwi (RK96) at Lanai Lookout. I saw Gayle and June's cars there later in the day, so I presume Kaiwi was there all or most of the day.

At 1238 I found Aukai fully visible above the water front rocks of Rocky Right Beach on Rabbit Island. I'd seen a possible , partially visible look at the dome of her back at 1034, but couldn't be sure. She reentered the water at 1338.

At 0721 Team Billand reported Pohaku (RO28) at Secret Beach, KoOlina.

At 0730 Vera Cober called with the report of T21M at Iroquois Point. Photo confirmation received.
At 1501 Vera called again with the report of Rocky (RH58) at IRQ, but at a separate location from T21M. Photos are on the way, but may be "yesterday's news".

"China Walls" is a daily check on my route. I had heard that the two signature keiki palms that appear in many a postcard, had be cut down. This morning I found the awful truth. I have no comment, for legal purposes/ The sign says it all ! 'nough said.

 Aukai being a little weaner
 
 Kaiwi @ her home Lanai Lookout
 I wonder if she'll meet up with little Aukai anytime soon?
 T21 at Iroquois (thank you Vera)
 Such a shame... seems like this guy pissed off a lot of people....
 Why would someone do something like this? 
 RO28 @ Secret Beach
 RO28 holds court
 funny these two pictures don't even look like the same seal.

3 comments:

Barbara said...

Miss Pohaku is drawing alot of attention to the folks out at KoOlina. She is high up in the am, then she will galumph to the waters edge to cool at 9:30am. We have to adjust the ropes alot of times to accomodate her stay. She has not begun to have molt yet, we keep looking for a break in skin. Maybe when she does begin, it will go quickly, that is our hope.

Folks that helped us out...Linda Stenton who lives there was out and about at 5:30am. THen Jan Dill came out at noon to 3:30pm. Rob and I are so very grateful to you both ladies. It takes many hours to keep an eye out on this female seal...and she needs our protection. Some times it gets really crowded around the entire perimeter with folks asking tons of questions, SOME THAT CLAP THEIR HANDS FOR A YOUTUBE ACTION SHOT, but everyone else has been awesome.

ANd some saw the article of Terry Williams book in the papaer the other day, The Odessey of KP2 and we are encouraging the folks to buy that book. We get to tell folks of our experiences with KP who is now at the Aquarium for ever.

Its kind of funny, some kids will come over, talking about how sad it is the animal before them is DEAD and why dont someone take its body away...then we tell them the good news, she is alive and just resting. Those kids are just so sweet, they cheer when they find out...Pohaku is ALIVE and well.

Thanks to Jerico, not sure of spelling, the security guy we met yesterday. He is on the seal protection team and he will stop over to check on Pohaku to see if she is still there and ok. He helped the other day with Linda and the set up. A good soul.

This is going to take many hours in the hot sun, I hope other volunteers will help us out. The hours are from 6am to near 8pm. The sunset slot is crazy with 100 people at this little spot..enjoying not just Pohaku, but the fantastic window of a awesome sun setting.

And at this location, we need ropes out, not just the signs...as folks will go right through the signs. And at sunset the seal will go all the way up to the tree area and footpath, so, adjustment is needed for Pohaku Safety. You wouldnt believe the fact that it gets dark and folks are still wondering around the beach...so we leave lots of signs out.

Do hope Pohaku can remain here, without incident, so she can finish her molt process. She sure is a character with many funny positions and expressions. In the later of the day, the birds come to the trees for the night, Pohaku keeps watching their flight, thats how I get those cute looks of her eyes focused up to the sky. Ok, here we go again, time to go see if Pohaku made it through the night without being run off. Flippers crossed............

Rachel S said...

Barbara - you guys are wonderful and do such a great job educating people and protecting the seals! I love the story of the kids who were sad because they thought Pohaku was dead. She is one of my favorite seals - she's so beautiful and has such distinctive cookie-cutter scars. I hope she has an uneventful and rapid molt! Thank you!

- Rachel

barbara said...

Yes, Pohaku is one of our favorites as well, reminding me of Makaiwi alot.

When I read her Mama was shot and killed, I cried for days and I made a promise to Pohaku, that we would take good care of her where ever she shows up. BUT..had no idea it would be KoOlina Secret Beach. She sure loves this spot.

And she has added on a few more future scars to her head and left cheek. Dont know what did those type of wounds..shark or dogs, MAN? Dont know. But she is healing herself just fine.

She sure is a cutie even inspite of all those markers. And an easy id for us. Many folks are falling in love with her, just as they did with Makaiwi. both girls are pretty.