August 3, 2023 (part 2) In Memory of Benny RE74 and Pohaku RO28

Thanks to Dana for following up on the remains of Benny RE74 and Pohaku RO28. Auntie Nettie was there to bless their ashes before they were returned to the ocean. And to all the volunteers that were there to remember the two seals and participated saying a few words to remember them.

The ceremony was also attended by two seals. Auntie Nettie was surprised to see them in that they usually show up a little later. The two seals were RN14 Kalani and RL12 Aukai, perhaps to say their goodbyes. After the ashes were scattered in the water, RN14 decided to roll into the water (just like Benny use to) then he went over by the rocks and swam through and rolled in the spot where the ashes were scattered.  Perhaps they know more than we give them credit for.

Thank you Melody for sharing!!

(this is such a Benny pose)

June 17, 2023 (part 2) A Tribute to Da Benny

Today marks one year that we lost the infamous Benny RE74.  Those of us who got to experience him truly understand what a character and how special he was.

Team R&B met him back in 2007 and he was always a special seal for them. They learned early on he was a character and he was a big Kahuna!  

Enjoy the walk down memory lane:

06/26/2022 Tribute to Benny the LifeGuard

 Back in winter of 2010 Benny decided to hang out with the life guards. In November he was hanging out with the crowds made his way to the life guard's steps and took a nap. 

In December he decided to finish his molt at the life guard station. Thankfully the Life Guards were considerate and kept him safe. But once again it was Benny pushing the envelope and putting himself out there.

November 2010

December 2010

06/24/2022 A Tribute to Benny By Donna

 Back in 2010 I took a couple of images and had some fun. I took some time using photo shop to highlight Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.  The outstanding character is Benny, and his lunging with mouth wide open. He was next to our beloved Irma (I hope they are together).

The story behind the actual photos is a better one, and I am searching for the original post. Benny, Kermit and Irma were like a daily soap opera. There was one particular day that was quite comical. Thanks to Team R&B for the photos and allowing me to use them for the blog.

06/23/2022 (cont) Tribute to Benny RE74 from Posse Pal Vicki

 I got an email from posse pal Vicki. Vicki doesn't get out on the beaches as much anymore. She sent me a photo of our beloved mentor DB with Benny. It is my thoughts that DB is there to greet all our beloved seals.  It's a great photo of DB and a rare one, where he didn't have his hat on.  What I will say about the photo, is that DB is close to Benny. But based on Benny's shaved stomach this is probably after on of his surgeries and DB was doing his check to report to NOAA how the the healing process was going.

06/22/2022 A Tribute to Benny RE74

 In their own words from Team R&B:

When we got word of Benny's Passing, we were in shock. Shock because we just saw Da Benny June 5th, looking very strong, was in cruiser mode, nothing out of sink.

What happened????? Human or disease or just old age?  Who knows.

We want to take this time to share our life with DA BENNY.

It began on a local beach, while fishing. He came up right in front of ME....and I went HEY, IM FISHING HERE!!!  And when I looked it was a seal, not a diver.

Couple of days later, Da benny showed up on the same local beach, with a female Lona.  We notified DB and sent in photos...in return DB told us the history of both animals...and ID the male as DA BENNY and the FEMALE was LONA.

That day, we fell in love with monk seals. And Benny became FAMILY to us over the years.

That male was STRONG, smart, fought Kermit for Irma at Plains beach for years.

Benny also was a romantic seal...always found the females....always.

One fight between Benny, Kermit over ROCKY at Windsock was SPOOKY!!  Both seals fought with all their mights for ROCKY. I'll never forget it as both seals bit each other, pulled skin even.

Benny like helping little seals...in 2008 he helped RW08 find his way to Kaena Pt...Benny escorted

Kerby in, fought Kaena to move out of the way for the new kid Kerby.  When we read Kerbys tag, we went nuts with joy and phoned DB to share the news, Kerby was alive and with BENNY.

Benny had a soft spot for POHAKU RO28 and would visit her all the time...during pupping and after weaning. He would FIND POHAKU and STAY with her. She didnt mind DA BENNY. I sware, her pup Nanea RL44 was HIS.

After Pohakus death, Benny wasnt the same and ventured to farther out areas...visiting Kaiwi and Rocky in Waikiki.

Benny had balls I always said!!  He would land on shore at Plains with hundreds of people around him, he didnt care.

Benny had some serious hookings that nearly killed him if it hadnt been for NOAA team, rescuing him.

Towards the ending of his life, we didnt find him that often...but he would check out Paradise Cove and Secrets for his love...Pohaku all the time.

To hear of his death, was a shock...Cant believe he wont be on shore any more for us to enjoy and protect.

Benny RE74 will remain with us, FOREVER. He was Family to us...the godfather of all seals.

I will always remember his posturing as he entered any beach...chest so high, eyes looking, looking for a love to rest with.

So long Benny.....now he can find Pohaku and Nanea and be in Peace.

I am going to include in this the time Benny was found in one of the small ponds/tide pools. He was there with his head in the water. At the bottom of the pond was a playboy magazine.... which is soooo fitting for Benny, hence the name playboy pond.  Of course Team R&B were there to get the photo.

Da Benny over the years:

06/05/2022 Sunday's Dailies

Todays dailies are brought to you by Team T&D, Justin Team R&B, Diane and yours truly.

UPDATE:  A quick update to Justin's unknown adult from yesterday is Kekoa Alii RK72.  This ID has been confirmed by Marilyn, Barbara and Melina.

Today Justin found RJ06 Aka at the same secluded spot aa yesterday.

Diane and I viewed Rabbit Island from 1:45 to 4:30 and had three seals on island today. Not sure why the photos didn't come out better. 

Unknown female - subadult to adult size, yellow-greenish female belly. We did see a glimpse of a tag. She was about 40 ft Makapuu side of Rabbit Island.

At right rocky beach we spotted a unknown unidentified on top of the rocks by the tide pool. It was subadult to adult size with a fairly clean, newer coat.

Eventually we notices a large seal hidden behind the rocks about 15 feet from the U/U. This adult

female started moving around and it became clear it was a very large critter. It finally showed its belly and it was a female with a older coat. We saw line/scratch scars on her back and a quick flash of her tag.  We know this is a large female we are willing to bet our cats this is Aukai RL12 but will wait for the official word to say for sure.

Team T&D made a quick trip to visit with RQ24 Mauna. When they arrived he was playing in the tide pool. He made his way into deeper waters and foraged down the beach.  From past experience they knew he would be back and they were right. After an hour he made his way back to the tide pool.

Team R&B's first find was two seals on the rocks. There was Kaale RH32 and RL08 snoozing on their backs. 

At another west side location they spotted the lovely RH48 Lei Ola. She was alone and snoozing at the seal inlet.

While watching her they spotted another seal coming in. The seal was approaching cautiously and there was the signature periscope, none other than da Benny RE74. He came into lower rocks, went out to seal inlet at high rocks, and completely missed Lei Ola.  He didn't stay, but before he left, he pooped.

At another location they found RP30 Puka. He was alone and resting peacefully.

A friend of Team R&B spotted a seal on the rocks at the bay and saw people walk up to the seal. She called the hotline, but they couldn't send anybody to the site. They informed the hotline it was RM31.

The people continued to bother the seal so she called the cops.

Team R&B headed over, but by the time they got there the people were away from the seal. RM31 Kai was still there but very very alert.

RJ06 Aka

unknown female

U/U and Adult Female

Q24 Mauna

Kaale 

RL08

Lei Ola

Benny signature periscope

RP30 Puka

RM31 Kai