04/30/2018 Monk Seal Dailies:

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand and our Canadian Posse Team D&T.  (After tomorrow our Canadian Team will be split up, and we'll just have Darlene on island. Todd safe travels home and see you next year).

Team Billand arrived at KoOlina at 6 am after leaving Paradise Cove. While at Paradise Cove they saw a wallow to the left corner with lots of footprints. ( like the seal was chased off).  At KoOlina they saw another wallow with lots of footprints so they knew some critter had to be around. Sure enough they found Pohaku RO28, BUT she was totally dry, up against the Naupaka resting.  There were no footprints or tracks by her body. According to security she arrived last evening around 7 pm, so she spent the night and wasn't the critter at Paradise Cove. They stayed for a couple of hours and did some outreach. They had called the hotline, but had to leave at 8:15.  

Team Billand arrived at a Leeward Beach at 9:10 and they found RN14 Kalani. He was alone on the rocks and his coat was dry. After checking in on him they went to check a few more beaches and found no other seals. They headed out for an appointment.  Throughout the morning Team Billand kept getting calls of seals from Paradise Cove to Lani's, Lagoon One and Lagoon 4...but they couldn't go because they were at an appointment.

At 12:55 they were finally got to go and check and found security reported a seal in Lagoon 4 and had landed. They found Benny RE74 on the shoreline, resting on his side. He then moved up onto the sand. There were lots of people wanting to know if this was Pohaku and they explained no it's Benny, male 15 years old will be 16 on August 30th.  Then people wanted to know, well how do you know that? Ummm, Team Billand met Benny in 2007 out there for 11 years. They called the hotline again, security had put up the signs. Team Billand left the site at 3:30 pm.

Next stop was Paradise Cove where they found RN14 Kalani up on the rock. They noticed there were signs on the waterline with ropes but no volunteer or anyone monitoring the site.  The tide was rising  and he was getting moved about and got hit pretty good. He rolled over and looking to land on the sand. He soon came charging to the sandy corner of the cove. They ran to get the signs and ropes, folks, came running for a closer look and picture of the seal. Team Billand pleased with them to move back, so he could haul out. They called the hotline to update them. They waited but did not see any volunteer. As they were leaving they could see people chasing the turtles and touching them. Unfortunately they had to leave, so sad people abuse the wild life here.

Canadian Posse Darlene and Todd spent time today with Kaiwi RK96 and PO3.  So happy this couple got to experience their first pup, just wish DB was here with them to enjoy it.  

Pohaku RO28

 RN14 Kalani

 RE74 da Benny

RN14 Kalani at Paradise Cove

Kaiwi and PO3  Water time

Video

4/29/2018 Monk Seal Dailies:

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand and Marilyn. 

Team Billand reached Paradise Cove at 5:40 am and found da Benny RE74 a the lower corner of the Lagoon sleeping alone.  It was still dark and he was peaceful and undisturbed. They quickly put a zone up, called the hotline twice. Soon the people arrived, and they educated over thirty people. They were all respectable and very interested in Benny's life. Of course Team Billand has lots of stories to tell since they have know da Benny since 2007.  Volunteer arrived at 8:50 and Team Billand departed at 9 am.

Team Billand's next stop was to a Leeward Beach and they found Kalani RN14 by accident. They were looking for a seal but they didn't see him or any others.  They noticed some movement, but thought it was birds, the color was totally brown. Looking closer they realized it was a seal, completely dry heading toward the water hole. They ID'd RN14 Kalani, he was their only find out there today.

Marilyn spent about two hours at Makai Pier this morning viewing Rabbit Island. Aukai RL12 and PO1 were in the water and not visible for the first hour. At about 11 am Marilyn spotted them hauled out near the water's edge about 50 feet west of the 2BS on Rabbit Island. The pup nursed for about 25 minutes and then moved higher up on the beach playing with a stick. A short time later they returned to the water and Marilyn lost sight of them again.


Marilyn checked on Kaiwi RK96 and PO3 from about 7 - 8 am this morning. There were in the water and could only be viewed from one spot behind the SRA. When she returned to the site at 5:30 pm Mom and pup were on the beach above the shoreline. The pup nursed for about 20 minutes. Later Kaiwi moved much further up and PO3 followed her.

Benny RE74

 RN14 Kalani 

 Rabbit Island Aukai & PO1

 Kaiwi & PO3

4/29/2018 Yesterday's News: Photos from Melody

I didn't see these photos last night before I logged out, as they came in late in the evening. Of course I have to share because we always love looking at great pictures of our cast of characters especially when it includes Moms and Pups.  Thank you Melody and sorry for the delay.

Honey Girl R5AY & PO2 

 one way Mom controls this kid

 Okay Mom I'm hungry 

 Here's Holokai RG40 - Who happens to be Honey Girl's Grandson

4/28/2018 Monk Seal Dailies: (Part 1 )

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand, Marilyn, Lesley and some special photos from photographer Leighton Lum.  Lesley's complete update is part 2 of the dailies. 

Team Billand as usual out at the crack of dawn out to Paradise Cove where one again they found Pohaku RO28.  They spend the time setting up a zone and educated 18 people. Seems there was one woman who decided Team Billand was not wearing the "right shirts" to be volunteers, Team Billand did explain they are volunteers but do not belong to an organization.  ( one thing to educate the public about the monk seals, but now I guess you have to qualify yourself as a volunteer, my times have changed ).  
Team Billand called the hotline twice and was told some one was on their way. They gave up and left the site at 9:15.  One important note they did notice a new "cc" on her belly near the bottom nipple to the right. 

Next stop a Leeward Beach where they spotted RH32 Ka'ale to the left of RN14 Kalani. Ka'ale was trying to find himself a comfortable spot and then settled in. Rn14 was across from him snoozing.

Marilyn spent a cold and windy day at the pier, arriving about 10:45 Aukai RL12 was nursing PO1. There were on the berm above the drop off at Left Point Beach to the left of 1BS.  Not too much later, PO1 headed over the berm and down to the water. It took Momma Aukai a few minutes before she knew she was there. Then PO1 galumphed back up to Mom who then headed for the water herself. This kid got her workout today, she then slid down to Aukai. They entered the water for about a swim at about 11:45, as Marilyn was leaving the pier.

Marilyn checked in on Kaiwi RK96 and PO3 and watched a nursing session and enter the water. It was mentioned there was at least one other swim session today. Late in the day they moved up high on the beach near the naupaka. 

I received an email from photographer Leighton Lum (who has contributed to the blog in the past). He was out enjoying the island today and he came across a couple of critters.  I think you'll all enjoy his photos, absolutely beautiful.  

Pohaku RO28 new small cc mark

 RH32 Ka'ale

RN14 Kalani

Aukai RL12 & PO1

Video Aukai RL12  &  PO1

Kaiwi RK96 and PO3

RG40 Holokai

Honey Girl R5AY & PO2

 Sweet Mama & Babe