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It was exactly what you would expect an end of a 3 day weekend to be. Toooooo many people, and critters everywhere !!
At 0612 I found Irma (R010) at the Sandy Beach end of Irma's. I cordoned her off, and she remained until departing of her own volition at 1250. I've never seen sooooo many people at that location as today. It was insanity wherever I looked today. I'm sure the rest of today's responders will agree.
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At 0830 I found Duke (RA12) at Left Middle Cliff, and Kolohe (RW22) at Seal Rock Inlet, on Rabbit Island.
At 0921 on a pan I found Aukai (RL12), on the water front rocks, 40 ft left of Seal Rock Inlet, on Rabbit Island. All would remain all day.
Gayle called at 1109 to report Kaiwi (RK96) at Lanai Lookout.
At 1238 I found Buster (RV08) on the east side flats of Lanai Lookout. He had not been there on my multiple morning checks.
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Team Billand put in yet another typical Billand day, beginning at 0830 with the report of Kermit (R012), along with gazillion people at the fence line, White Plains. As always it was a zoo out there, but on a 3 day weekend, Nightmare doesn't quite cover it !! Why Kermit....... Why ??? The Billands reported his departure at 1515, headed in a westerly direction.
Also at 0830 the Billands reported that posse member Clay Gates had reported an animal at Iroquois Point. At 0856 he would confirm the Ewa Girl (RS00) ID.
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At 1017 I got a call from Ocean Safety (Lifeguards) reporting an animal in the trough at Magic Island. I notified Dana, and either Stephen or Missy (or both) were said to have responded. I'm not sure who to attribute the photo to, but it was definitely Rocky (RH58).
Also at 1017 Team Billand reported Pohaku (RO28) at Makaha. It sounded like a hopeless situation out there with toooooooo many people.
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I got a call from Dera at 1049 reporting the weaner, and 2 adult animals in the area of the Mokuleia site. At 1147 Vera Cober would call, reporting that the weaner female was happy and well, and 50 yds down the beach were (Momma) R912 in the company of the U/M with the natural bleach on the forehead that has been reported at Ka'ena Point of late.
At 1107 Dera called to advise that a caller had reported having seen an animal on the Kahuku side of Kahuku Point for the last 5 days. Hopefully, photos will provide some insight.
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At 1241 Dana called with the report of an animal newly hauled out to the Hale Koa Beach. Dera would call at 1250 to advise that the animal had reentered the water. Dana advised that Stephen and Missy were following the animal who was said to be heading in an easterly direction. A 1354 call from Dana advised that the animal had swum the near shore coastline scaring the crap out of everybody, and was last seen having passed thru Waikiki, and heading in a Diamond Head direction. Of course this must be carried as an U/U incident, but I gotta' mean feeling I'm gonna' have Benny in my life tomorrow ?????
In the Yesterday's News department Zeeny sent photos from the Mokuleia pup site, as well as R5AY and Pup. Also posse member Linda forwarded shots from Carrie of RI37 at Laniakea.
Kaiwi - it's about time someone got here! I'm ready for my closeup.
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Irma
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Rocky
Weaner - today's pics from Vera
R912 and U/M
ummm... where am I ?
And the circus at White Plains
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Kermit
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bye bye... see ya later
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Pohaku @ Makaha
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If I do tricks like a sea lion do you think they will leave me alone?
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how about if I do the dead man's float?
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ah crap they're still here
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2 comments:
As a kid and a young adult I used to look forward to three day weekends...going to the beach and having some fun.
Now at my age, I cant stand three day weekends...it is total chaos, with hundreds of humans, dogs, fishermen, jumping bouncing tents, loud parties with drinking. It is not a good time for Hawaiian Monk Seals at all.
Lucky if you can find a spot at Plains...its wall to wall people. It never fails, the seals come up any how, no matter if there are hundreds of humans on shore, in the water, they'll come up.
I am grateful to Karne Banes and to AMY and her Husband for helping out yesterday, white plains. Where Kermit layed. were tents, loud music, lots of small kids. It was said, one lady walked up to Kermit, right up to him. She was advised to get away of course. Her reaction, "OH where I come from, California, its ok to walk up to a seal". NOPE ... Here in Hawaii, OUR SEALS ARE PROTECTED by state and federal laws. YOU DO NOT WALK UP TO A HAWAIIAN MONK SEAL...NEVER!
When we get a call on a three day weekend, we try our best to get to the site, immediately. ANd when we arrive, SEE ALL THE PEOPLE IN KERMITS FACE, I get this awful feeling of doom. You would think, someone would get the hint...KEEP AWAY FROM A FIVE HUNDRED POUND ANIMAL!!!! AN animal with lots of teeth that could BITE!!! But nah, he is so cute laying there, so sweet and cuddly. I gotta get that YOUTUBE SHOT...of being right up to the seals face. And poor Kermit, lays there, peeking from one eye at these idiots, perhaps waiting to lundge at them in a second, IF THEY STEP another inch towards him. He is just defending his spot, his safety. And if Kermit were to bite one person...WHAT DO YOU THINK WOULD HAPPEN????? That person would want that dangerous vicious animal out of Plains, IMMEDIATELY!!! And that is what we are trying so hard to do...stop folks from getting bit. A seal deserves to rest, where ever he or she chooses. Humans should have more respect for our aging, nearly extinct, PROTECTED Seals!!! Its common sence, one should not approach a seal, just give it some space. As I keep saying, its so simple a task, yet so hard to do.
And poor Miss Pohaku, our lovely 6 year old female...same for her out in Makaha...too many curious folks, RIGHT UP TO HER, POSING with kids, adults as well. And she even turned to nip at a few people who thought it was FUNNY!!! AFTER much education, after many heart failures, pleading, folks let her alone. But, first, a football game near her..and that ball bounced right at her belly, missing it, some how, flying over her body. And then, and only then, the man who lives at area, got pissed off and got all the people back...FINALLY. I appreciate that gentlemans, reaction, and vocal pleas. HOORAY...it was then Pohaku could finally...REST IN PEACE.
And thanks to DEBBIE WHITE who was the only volunteer to relieve us until 5:30pm, when Pohaku, LEFT, on her own. And all Debbie had, was, herself to defend the seal, her colorful umbrella, her chair and some soda...god bless you Debbie, you are sooooo appreciated!!
And...this nice local guy and his wife, complimented us and Debbies efforts yesterday...he sees us and Deb, all the time, keeping our seals safe. He gets the message...he too was upset at the humans crowding our Hawaiian monk seal...when all Pohaku wanted was ...a place to bask.
As always and especially on weekends like this, THANK YOU Barbara! Just as a note to the woman from California, it's still not ok to walk up to a seal there - it's a federal law not to disturb marine mammals and applies in all states to all marine mammals.
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