Saturday, August 16, 2008
DB & Duke
Friday, August 15, 2008
DB Post Friday August 15th
It was anything but a routine day at the Pier and Rabbit Island. Some guy named Duke stopped by (Lt. Governor Duke Aiona), and entourage of 10, stopped by for my standard spiel and then off for a visit to RI. Hopefully, it will do some long term good.
The cast today was da' boyz , Kerby,Hoku& Kolohe, plus RIP and RB08.
Team Billand called at 1145 to advise that they and Karen Harris had spent their day with T15M and Ka'ena at Ka'ena Point. Aloha, DB
Scienctist on the Go
Dr. Charles Littnan is on his way to the North West Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) with a crew of scienctist. Dr. Charles is keeping a daily blog of their adventure.... so Monk Seal Fans... check this out.
http://monksealsandmore.blogspot.com/
I will leave a link to the site on the side so you can access directly.
DB Post Thursday August 14th
Team Billand went to the NS today and confirmed that R5AY was still at Sunset Beach, and had not as yet begun her molt.
At 1546 call from Thea sent me off to Diamond Head. I found Rocky, 50 ft right of the base of the path, got her cordoned off and called it a day at 1645.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
DB Post Wednesday August 13th
It was a Rabbit Island kinda' day, with the boyz, Kerby,Hoku and Kolohe . They were joined by the girlz RB08 and Sadie, and Buster was there too. RB08 is a conservative 95% molted. There was minimal interaction today.
Mary Frances emailed me this morning to tell me that she will be departing for the mainland on August 29th. She and Mary Jay have been the ultimate posse members , and I will miss her A LOT . To say that she is worth her weight in Manapua is a gross understatement. Aloha, DB
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
DB Post Tuesday August 12th
A call from Tracy at 1358 advised that there was an animal at DH. She said she'd tried to contact Colleen Heyer, but there was no answer. I had to let her know that Colleen had the TOTALLY LAME excuse of having gotten married on Saturday, and was on her honeymoon. When I arrived at 1436 I found Rocky, 100 ft right of the path.
I'd been aware that a possible R5AY had been at Sunset Beach for the last couple of days. Tracy said that Jennifer Maldonado had confirmed this morning that it was R5AY, and Team Billand sent photo documenation from their afternoon run to the North Shore. According to my math, she should be getting ready to molt, which would explain multiple days at Sunset.
I received word from Karen Harris today, that she will be departing in September for California and beyond. She is an absolutely vital part of my life, and by extention, your lives, since she has been my eyes at KP forever. Joanna and the others who also make the trek, know all too well the hole that Karen's departure will create. Aloha, DB
Monday, August 11, 2008
DB Post Mondat August 11th
Sunday, August 10, 2008
DB Post Sunday August 10th
Relatively speaking , it was a quiet day on RI today. The first pass was a bust. I didn't find an animal until I got to Spitting Cave where I found Buster doing 9 minutes dives.
When I got back to the pier at 0900 for the day's observations I initially found only RB08 at the left end of the island but she would be joined first by Hoku, and shortly thereafter Kolohe. They spent the entire day together with no interaction. Later, Kerby would haul out way back on the left end beach, and Sadie hauled out at the right end. RB08's molt has progressed to approximately 20 %.
Though technically not today's news, both Team Billand , and Karen Harris did the KP trek yesterday, and both reported finding only Benny at KP. Aloha, DB
Saturday, August 9, 2008
DB Post Saturday August 9th
Kerby,Hoku,Kolohe,Sadie,RB08,RIP,Buster,R301&Ewa Girl@RI, Benny@KP, 8-9-08It was yet another of the average, 9 critter days at RI. The Weaners were there, as were the girls Sadie and RB08 . Bob's molt has progressed in a nornal manner, and was approximately 15% at end of day. I saw my first interaction between a weaner (Kolohe) and RB08 today. They swam and played off shore of LPB. During the day Hoku also stopped by her location but there was no observed interaction.
Ewa Girl, Buster, RIP and later Sadie all spent the day at the right end of the beach. At one point Kerby was down at that end too, and I realized that Ewa Girl (Mom) and all 3 of her Oahu children were right there in front of me. That was a wonderful vision, and even more exciting was that fact that I would even KNOW THAT !!!!! I love this stuff !!!
Team Billand called at 1641 from the end of the world at Ka'ena Point, with word that Benny was their only find so far. Aloha, DB

Kerby, Buster, RIP, Sadie & Ewa GirlRB0b & Hoku
DB Post Friday August 8th
The Billands checked in after a marathon Irma Quest from EB ot Campbell Industrial Park, with no critters sighted. Tanx Eh !!
Tracy called at 1649 with a rich trove of Monk Seal factoids. According to Tracy, Lona was once again at Mokuleia again today. She also reported that a conversation with Mimi , on Kauai brought info that both Kermit and KC are apparently over there. Lastly, she sent photo evidence of my 2nd born , Mojo being at La'au Point on Molokai as of 6-22-08. I last saw him at RI on 5-31-08. I alway thought he was going to Molokai, but I could never prove it. It's nice to know for a fact. Aloha, DB
Friday, August 8, 2008
DB Post Thursday August 7th
All 3 of the Weaners were present today. Hoku and Kolohe were together and later joined R301 on the beach front incline at the left end of the island. Kerby was at 3BS all day.
For the first time, I found Sadie and RB08 together , tucked into the base of the cliff at the left end, just left of 1BS. They would enter the water together at 1052 and swam and played together until the hauled out together to the left end of Middle Cliff (LMC)
I'd seen RIP at Spitting Cave in the morning ,and at 1402 he hauled out to join R301 and Kolohe at the left end.
The Marys reported Irma at EB today, and a DOCARE Officer advised me that he'd responded to an animal being harrassed by dogs at Waialee Beach Park on the North Shore. It was R5AY, and it sounded like it was Bernard's dogs. Aloha, DB
Sadie & RB08
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
DB Post Wednesday August 6th
The RI cast was Kerby,Hoku,Kolohe,RB08,RIP and Ewa Girl. Ewa Girl was there on my first pass but gone when I got back for the day's observations. The only interaction was RB08 and RIP who got in the water together around mid day. RB08 hauled out again, but I did not see RIP again.
A White Plains lifeguard called at 1039 to report Irma about 100 yds west of the WP perimeter fence , at Kalaeloa Campgrounds. Team Billand confirmed the Irma ID at 1223, and called just moments ago to advise that Irma departed at 1647. Aloha, DB
Irma -- So what's the due date??? Should we start a pool?
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Governor Lingle Visit to Rabbit Island
Today's news based on DB's report and KGMB Governor Lingle accompanied by volunteers and DOCARE (Division of Conservation and Preservation Enforcement) visited Manana Island (Rabbit Island). The good news is the State is listening and taking a look at some of the issues. The Governor spoke about the trash and evidence of boats landing on the island and the concern of improper use of gil-net fishing. There was no mention of our seals but I am sure she got a good look at them.
PLEASE NOTE: These pictures are from the Governor's visit today. Along with DOCARE officers and volunteers they did a clean up and reviewed some of the issues. LANDING A BOAT ON RABBIT ISLAND IS PROHIBITED.










































