DB Post Sunday July 13th

Kerby,Hoku,Kolohe,RIP,Buster,R301&Sadie@RI, Ewa Girl@HB, 7-13-08
Ewa Girl was still at Hanauma Bay this morning. By location I'd say that she overnighted, which is not surprising after a long absence.

The Rabbit Island cast was once again in nearly constant action. The kids, Kerby,Hoku and Kolohe were all present, and all dealt with the old guys, RIP, Buster and R301, in nearly every possible combination. Sadie stayed out of the way at the right end of the island, and even she had RIP at her side for a while. All of the action was at the left end of the island. Aloha, DB

DB Post Saturday July 12th

Kerby,Hoku,Kolohe,Sadie,RIP&Buster@RI,Irma@SC,EG@HB & Rocky@DH,7-12-08
It was a busy little day in DB's World. The day began with the return of Ewa Girl to Hanauma Bay. She'd last been there on 6-20-08, and I'd last sighted her at Rabbit Island on 6-22-08. She appears fat and happy, and has put on weight, in preparation for her molt.

Next , I found Irma doing 7 minute dives at Spitting Cave. When she showed up at Diamond Head yesterday I knew she'd be around here somewhere, and just to prove that Murphy's Law works in the Monk Seal world too, she was , of course, in the last place I looked on the morning checks, after humping down to Toilet Bowl and Kokee.

The Rabbit Island cast was for the most part hyperactive today. Sadie and Kerby had a cruise day down at the right end of the island, but the action was hot and heavy at the left end with Kolohe and Hoku being playfully worked by RIP and Buster. I've seen it so often now that it doesn't surprise me, but RIP and Buster appear to be really overdoing it with the weaners, and the little guys would haul out and appear to be trying to get away, only to turn around and dive right back into the battle. There were lots of little short term haul outs, but the action didn't really start settling down until around mid day, when first Kolohe, hauled out 40 ft left of 1BS, then Hoku hauled out 30 ft right of 1BS, then RIP 100 ft left of 1BS. I did not see Buster again today.

Colleen called from the #2 Overlook, at Diamond Head to excitedly report that she was watching Rocky loll and roll in the shallows at Diamond Head, directly below her. She was especially stoked because like all of us, the moments when you see actual movement are rare. Colleen put up signs and as this writing Rocky is still there. Aloha, DB

DB Post Friday July 11th

Kerby,Hoku,Kolohe,Buster&Sadie@RI, Rocky&Irma@ DH
After all the action and play amongst the boyz at RI the last few days, it was really a drag to watch the cast just lie there doing nuthin' . Kolohe was by himself at the left end, Hoku was at the 1st Blue Sign (1BS), Sadie had 3BS all to herself, and Kerby was alone on Rocky Right Beach (RRB) at the right end. Buster did haul out to join Hoku but there was barely any recognition of one another, and snooze mode quickly followed.

Ace DH Posse Princess , Colleen Heyer had a busy little day, dealing first with Rocky this morning, and then at 1400, Irma decided to haul out near the bunkers. I guess I'll have her out my way tomorrow.

Team Billand made a run to Kalaeloa Campgrounds this morning on the report of an animal , but it had departed prior to their arrival.

Lona was confirmed as the Chun's Reef animal from yesterday. She is back from her latest pupping experience at Kalaupapa , Molokai. Aloha, DB

Photos of Rabbit Island Cast

Aloha Good People;
Here are two photos from Thursday DB report... the technical difficulties were ... well... my mistake, however there is one photo that I couldn't load last night and can't load tonight. So here are two photos of our precious pups through a scope taken 8/10 of a mile away! Pretty Cool!

DB Post Thursday July 10th

Kerby,Hoku,Kolohe,Buster&Sadie@RI, Benny@Maili Pt., U/F@ Chun's Reef, 7-10-08
Buster kept both Kolohe and Hoku busy most of the day, doing swim/play sessions with both (two with Kolohe). Kerby and Sadie had a much quieter day at the right end of the island. I tried taking some long range shots through the scope, and the results were hideously poor, but at least you can kinda'/sorta' see the cast.

Team Billand reported Benny at Maili Point, around noon. They said he was still there at end of day.

Brenda called at 1250 to report and U/F near Chun's Reef on the North Shore. Though no ID is available yet, I'm putting my dollar on Lona. We are awaiting Todd White photos at this writing. Aloha, DB

SIGN: Monk Seal Nursey Area

Sign: Gill Net Rules

DB Post Wednesday July 9th

Kerby,Hoku,Kolohe,RIP&Buster@RI, Rocky@DH,M&M News & New Signs, 7-9-08
The Rabbit Island cast was pretty much the same as it has been for several days now. All 3 of our weaners were present, and I saw no interaction today. RIP and Buster were also present, but only interacted with one another, in my presence. Sadie stayed by herself down at the right end of the island.

At 0900 I joined David Nichols at Makai Research Pier. He put up new Gill Net Rules, and Monk Seal/Rabbit Island signs. I don't have a lot of faith that the bad guys will care, but it can't hurt. Additional signs are to be located at Kaupo Beach Park and Kaiona Beach Park.

Posse member Rachel, called at 1515 to report that Rocky had hauled out at DH at 1500. She put up signs.

Though it was an interesting day, the real highlight came at 1555 with a call, and a later email from Tracy, who did aerial surveys of Molokai today. To our shock and awe she found what proved to be M&M (My Mystery Molter) at Laua Pt., on Molokai, WITH her 3 to 4 week old pup !!!! That is truly fantastic news. I knew M&M was pregnant, and she dropped off the radar at just the right time, and lo and behold now we know why, and where ! I LOVE this stuff !!!! Aloha, DB

click on photo to enlarge.. so worth it!

DB Post Tuesday July 8th

Kerby,Hoku,Kolohe,RIP&Buster@RI, Irma@EB, Rocky@DH, 7-8-08
It was another day with all three of the weaners accounted for on Rabbit Island. RIP and Buster also joined the cast in the afternoon. Kolohe was still trying to nurse on Hoku.

The Marys in Ewa Beach had a visit from Irma. She hauled out to the right of Mary Jay's path.

Colleen Heyer called to report Rocky in the same location as yesterday at Diamond Head.
Aloha, DB

DB Post Sunday July 6th

Hoku,Kolohe,Kerby,Sadie,RIP&Buster@RI, 7-6-08
It proved to be a long day, getting ID's on everybody in the RI cast , since there was lots of water time, which is a good thing. It's where the food is ! The cast would ultimately be confirmed as the weaners, Hoku, Kolohe, and Kerby who I saw all together in the morning, and RIP and Buster were added later in the day. RIP was playing with both Hoku and Kolohe, and when Buster showed he and Kolohe spent most of the time together, while RIP was mostly with Hoku. Late in the day, Hoku gave everybody the slip and at around 1500, he and Kerby hauled out together at 3BS. Kolohe continues to be at Buster's belly every chance he gets, to suckle, but he seemed less needy and aggressive about it today.

Sadie was there all day, but down at the right end of the island having nothing to do with the boys.

Happy Birthday to my #4 son, Ka'ena !!!! He is 2 years old today !!! Aloha, DB

........ and Joanna saw the birthday boy, Ka'ena at Ka'ena Point today. DB

DB Post Saturday July 5th

Hoku,Kolohe,Kerby,RB08&Sadie@ RI, 7-5-08
Thankfully, there were no other calls today, so I could spend maximum time with the weaners. Today was considerably less hectic than yesterday's zoo, but interesting nonetheless.

Initially, I found Kolohe at the left end and Kerby at the right end. Later in the morning when the shadows began to brighten at the left end I saw RB08 tucked into the base of the cliff at LPB, and at 0920 Sadie came galumphing out of the Morning Glory to the right of 3BS.

Kolohe went for a swim and hauled out again just to the right of 1BS, where she spent the rest of the day. Hoku went into the water at 1255, and I immediately lost him. I relocated to the Makapuu Overview (MO) at 1430 and found two swimming animals ranging from 1BS to 2BS. At 1500 the two animals hauled out to 2BS, and I returned to Makai Pier at 1513 and found that they were Hoku and Kerby. I called it a day at 1600.

Lesley McPherson came thru with photos of Hoku and Kolohe on moving day. Thank you..........very much !! Aloha, DB

DB Post Friday July 4th

Kerby,Hoku,Kolohe,RB08,RIP,Buster,M38,R301@RI, 7-4-08
I hope all of you are having a joyous 4th. I spent the day with 8 of my favorite associates , all of whom made up the Rabbit Island cast for today. Kerby and R301 escaped all the chaos by have the sense to be at the right end of the island. They could not escape however and there were late in the day interactions for them too.

The action was all down at the left end of the island, and involved Hoku, Kolohe, RIP,Buster, M38 and RB08. Kolohe was at the left end all day , but I found Hoku at the right end of the beach at RRB (Rocky Right Beach) this morning. He has now covered the beach front tip to tip, and it's only his 2nd day in the neighborhood. He ultimately came back to the left end and he and Kolohe interacted all day. They were joine thru the day by two adult males, RIP and M38, plus a subadult male, Buster, and a juvenile female, RB08. Through the day, every single possible combination of interactions possible, occurred between this cast of characters. RIP and M38 as the adult males, had a few issues and there were several eyeball to eyeball confrontation, but all were basically all bark and no bite. Some of the others found themselves trapped in the middle from time to time, but everybody survived the day, and the two new guys had lots of interactions with their fellow RI cast.

Two pieces of new information came from today's observations. Hoku takes no guff from any Monk Seal. Despite his weaner status he won't back down, and has real guts. The other piece of info involves what appears to be early weaning issues with Kolohe. He was weaned a bit early at 39 days, and I observed him interacting with all these animals, trying to suckle , multiple times. Hopefully, he'll get over that. Time will tell. Aloha, DB

Well Ain't that a Kick in the Head

Aloha Good People!

What we have here in the above photo is a snippit of a larger picture, but you will note the foot making contact with my head.... all I can say is thank god Darin doesn't wear steel toe shoes!

Through the process of securing Hoku so Tracy could give him some jewelry for his fins I got knocked in the head. It all happened so fast and honestly I forgot about it until I received a couple of photos! Hey all for the good of the seals right!

As you will see in DB's post our Northshore Pups are adapting to their new home, and seem to be enjoying the company. Here are some additional photos of Hoku the pup from the Crawford site, these photos were taken by the Billand(s) and Karen Bryan (as always thank you for sharing). These are some of the last pictures taken of him at his Northshore birth place.

Again such a big exciting day for many.... All the professionals, all the volunteers and of course the pups! ~donna~

DB Post Thursday July 3rd

Kerby,Hoku,Kolohe,Buster,R301&M38@ RI & Irma@ Kalaeloa Campgrounds
Naturally, I was anxious to get to MP and see what the new guys were doing. The first animals I saw were R301 and M38 at 3BS, from the Makapuu Overview. It was not until I got the MP that I could see Hoku and Kolohe pretty much where I'd left them yesterday. Hoku was still out on the left end rock flats, and Kolohe was down amongst the water front rocks, fronting Left Greenery (LG).

With the tide beginning to rise, Hoku entered the water at the left end , and I immediately saw that he was interacting with another animal in the water, playing and rolling around. When the play moved to a point fronting Kolohe, I saw that the other animal was Buster. I also noted that Kerby had hauled out 30 ft left of LG. Both Kerby and Kolohe entered the water to join in the action, and all were wrestling and playing until 1126 when individuals began moving off and hauling out . The first to haul out was Kolohe at LG, and then I noticed Hoku hauling out at the point of LBP at the left end. He would later relocate back to the left end rock flats. On a pan I noticed that M38 and R301 were no longer down at 3BS, and at 1151 they arrived at LG to begin working the smaller Buster. Kerby took advantaged of the older guys playing with each other, and hauled out at the left end of the Middle Cliff area (LMC). I lost Buster and the gang in the rougher water and did not see them again today. All of the Weaners adjusted there locations with the rising tide. Hoku was washed off the flats, and relocated to LPB, and was back near the cliff, investigating the cliff face. Kolohe relocated to higher ground on LPB, and Kerby moved to a spot 80 ft right of 3BS. All were at those locations when I departed.

Brenda Becker happened to be on a helicopter doing aerial surveys today, and sent a shot of one of the new guys. Without being able to see Kolohe's right side bleach, I'm not able to make a confirmed ID. My guess however, would be Kolohe.

The Billands called at 1424 to advise that Irma was at Kalaeloa Campgrounds. Aloha, DB

Brief Update on Northshore Pups Move

Aloha Good People!

I wish I had more energy... but I am exhausted and my sleep pattern is definitely messed up. Needless to say Wednesday was a HUGE day for the Oahu Monk Seal Supporters AND the monk seals themselves.

I was amazed at the number of volunteers that showed up at 5:00 AM to observe this amazing process.... TRUE dedication! Unfortunately, HOKU the not so little seal did not cooperate with us, it was after 10:00 am that he hauled out of the water and the fun began. NOAA's team of professionals included Dr. Bob Braun, Tracey Wurth, Darin Padula & Michelle Yuen tagged him with number W18 and had him secured for transport in no time. Oh and this not so little porker measured in at 132cm length and 122 cm girth... He is as fat as he is tall. Wonder why it took a team of people to help carry him off the beach.

Also Hoku was joined by his cousin Kolohe and brought out to Rabbit Island where they will be watched very very closely by Uncle DB. Oh not to mention cousin Kerby who can show them the ropes. It will be interesting to watch as they grow up. I will post photos as they roll in!

I feel like I just went through an experience of a lifetime.... and the added bonus was I got to meet some incrediable people along the way! MAHALO to all !

DB Post Wednesday July 2nd

Kerby,Buster,RIP,Sadie,R301, Kolohe, Hoku@RI, Rocky@DH, 7-2-08
By any yard stick you choose to use, this was a landmark day. Never before have we had 3 pups at the same time on Oahu, and never before have we had two of them translocated to Rabbit Island .

The routine RI cast was Kerby, RIP, Buster, R301, and Sadie. At mid morning to mid day two new cast members were added to the mix. Kolohe (W22) , the Mokuleia weaner, and Hoku (W18), the Crawford's weaner were translocated to Rabbit Island. The operations were a complete success, and when I departed Makai Research Pier at 1600, both animals were adjusting to their new surroundings, and appeared normal and well.

For any of you who have served in the trenches at either site, please pass this along to all the others. Now that these two have been delivered to my care, I want each of you to know that you are welcome to stop by Makai Research Pier, preferraby on the weekends , to check on your pups. Having been there many times myself, I know all to well the let down of having your pups leave the nest. Please call before your visits (***-****) just to be sure that I'm there. KNOW that I will protect both of these guys, to the best of my ability, now and forever.

Hoku tagged W18 Born on May 12, 2008 - Pup of R5AY

Kolohe tagged W22 Born on May 13, 2008 - Pup of "KC"

Weaner - Hoku

Aloha Good People!

I spent the Tues. evening shift with our newest weaner and I have to say he seems very unaffected by Mom's absence. It took me half the shift to get to the "bucket" since our little Hoku hauled back up in front of Bernard's house. This made getting to the log book and binoculars difficult. After he moved... Malia and I were able to sneak by at the very end of the evening, unfortunately the log book was missing. I do hope someone turns it into NOAA.

Hoku's overall appearance is healthy, beyond chubby and very curious. He has spent lots of time playing with sticks, twigs and rocks. Since I didn't have the log book I was unable to determine how much time he spent swimming but based on his really long snooze he was pretty tired. The barking dogs in the area didn't even stir him up!

I did have a chance to speak with both Bernard and Lenora and let them know the volunteers had decided to honor them by naming the pup Hoku. Well that's tonight scoop ~donna~

DB Post Tuesday July 1st

Kerby,Buster,M38&R301@ RI, Rocky@ DH, & an U/U (Irma?)@Kalaeloa, 7-1-08
It was a perfect day for the Rabbit Island cast. Rainy and overcast. Kerby ,Buster, R301 and M38 put in a quiet, lazy , boys day at RI.

Rocky was back to her usual spot at Diamond Head. Colleen took care of her.

There was a Kalaeloa, "dead seal" call, which is an all too common beginning to most seal calls. The location described corresponded to Irma's location at the Kalaeloa Campgrounds. The Billands found the wallow, and trail, but no animal . They checked everything from White Plains to Nimitz jetty and found nobody. My dollar is on Irma, but , of course, we'll never know.
Aloha, DB

P02 is a Weaner Monday June 30th

Aloha Good People!
R5AY was last seen with P02 around 7 AM by volunteer Brenda, who probably witnessed the last nursing. The 9-12 shift Karen and Terri said they did not see Mom at all and pup spent his time in the water. Shortly after I arrived P02 hauled out on the beach with Mom no where in site. He honestly did not seem to notice, he was mostly interested in the coconut, sticks and rocks. He snoozed for about an hour then back in the water for another swim lasting over 40 minutes. He hauled back out and let out one bark and then rested his head and snoozed. Ella & Dave were the next group to come in and watch over him for the evening.
As of now we are assuming he is officially weaned and will be on his own. Also now is probably a good time to mention, based on all the input from the volunteers we agreed to allow the property owner name him. They have referred to him as Hoku since day one.... and as a small token of our appreciation we will honor their name! HOKU the weaner! ~donna~

DB Post Monday June 30th

Kerby,Sadie,Buster&R301@RI, Rocky@KK&SC, Irma@Kalaeloa
Rocky provided some happy moments. I checked the Kokee Flats as I do everyday, and walked to the end at Irma's Grotto, finding nothing. I turned to start back, and there, 50 ft away was Rocky, just hauling out ! How's that for timing ? Totally Amazing !!

I knew that she couldn't last long there since we had a 2.6 high tide at 1335, and the flats would be under water by mid day. I left the pier and went to check Spitting Cave at 1300, and lo and behold , just as I thought therrrrrrrrrrrrrre was Rocky, doing 6 to 7 minutes feeds. Sometimes I scare me !

A White Plains lifeguard called at 1018 to report that he'd seen N3 (Irma) at the Kalaeloa Campgrounds just west of the WP perimeter fence. The Billands confirmed the Irma ID at 1424

Donna Festa called at 1427 to report that R5AY had weaned the kid. Her history says she is a 49 day Mom, and today was D#49, right on schedule. Aloha, DB