DB Post Wednesday December 31st 2008

Mojo,RB08&Buster @RI, Irma@Kalaeloa Beach, 12-31-08
The day got off to a slow start. The first pass of all SE quadrant spots was a bust, but when I got back to the Makai Pier at 0900, I found Mojo and RB08 close together to the left of the 12BS, and at 0945 Buster would haul out 100 ft right of 3BS. All would remain there the rest of the day.

Team Billand checked in at 0915 with the report of Irma at the Wind Sock, on Kalaeloa Beach.

A Happy New Year to the whole Posse !!!! Aloha, DB

Happy New Year.... We all be fine in 2009!This was originally sent to the folks in NOAA and eventually made its way down to me. What we should really appreciate is this is from the Mediterranean Monk Seal folks.... All the way from Greece .

DB Post Tuesday December 30th

I couldn't find a critter until 1215 when I got back to Makai Pier. I found Mojo lying at the left end of the beach on Rabbit Island, and oriented so as to give a a perfect look at his all important natural bleach spot on the top, left side of his head. He usually makes me wait all day. That was to be my one and only find for the day.

The Billands called at 0930 with the report of Kermit at White Plains, fronting cottage #1706, and then called again at 1024 to say that Irma was just hauling out on the Honolulu side of the White Plains , left end perimeter fence. One last Billand call came at 1510 with the report of 2AW, once again at Kahe Power Plant (Tracks). He had been there yesterday also, as reported by the Manley posse. Aloha, DB

DB Post Monday December 29th

Buster,Sadie&Kolohe@RI, Kermit@WP, Irma@KCG, 12-29-08
Kermit was last at White Plains on 12-3-08. Thereafter followed his SE quadrant adventure to Rabbit Island and Sandy Beach for 23 days, where he completed his annual molt. Yesterday's stop in Waikiki was a reasonably sure sign that he was headed back to the SW quadrant. He departed Waikiki late yesterday at 1730, and the White Plains lifeguards reported Kermit fronting the 2nd cottage, at their beach,at 1225. Kermit has come full circle.

The day began at 0530 with a trip to Waikiki to check Kermit's status, and finding that he had departed, picking up the signs etc. I did not find an animal until 0726. From the pier I found Buster at the left end of Rabbit Island, and Kolohe tucked up against the cliff near the 3BS. Later , at 1119 I found Sadie at the rubble beach at the far right end of Rabbit Island. All were still there when I called it a day at 1500.

The White Plains lifeguards reported animals at the cottages, and at the last bench at Kalaeloa Campgrounds, The Billands would later confirm that Kermit was in front of the cottages, and Irma was down at the campgrounds.

DB Post Sunday December 28th

After a 15 day stint at Sandy Beach, Kermit was not there when I arrived at 0600, nor did he show up anywhere in the SE quadrant. I then spent the rest of the morning waiting for the other shoe to drop. Drop it did, at 1130, with a call from the Billands who had just been contacted by Gretchen about an animal in Waikiki. Duh !!....... any guesses ? When I arrive at Queen's Beach, in Waikiki there was Kermit cruisin' on the beach near the 2F lifeguard stand. The Lifeguards had cordoned him off upon arrival around 1130. Volunteer Cindy, the Billands, Shawn and Gretchen were all there. Volunteers Cindy and Don, did the bulk of the duty. I have recieved no further word as of this writing. I'll return in the morning to check on him and deal with the signs etc., as required.

At 0826 I found Buster doing 7 minute dives at Spitting Cave. At 0918 he headed off around the point in a Hanauma Bay direction. Rabbit Island had been Monk Seal free on my first two checks, but when I got back to the pier after the Waikiki run, at 1438, I found Buster resting on the beach at the left end of the island.

The Billands called at 1015 with the report of Rocky on Nimitz Beach, and called again at 1048 to report Irma at the Last Bench at Kalaeloa Campgrounds.

I got a called at around 1600 from David Schofield, reporting that he'd gotten a call from Gordon Olayvar, reporting KC at MCHB. I spoke with Gordon shortly thereafter and he confirmed KC near the Shooting Range, on MCBH. She had been there all day, and was duly cordoned off. He will forward photos, but nothind as of this writing.

DB Post Saturday December 27th

Sadie@RI, Kermit@SB, Irma@KCG, Ewa Girl@CIP, 2AW@Tracks, 12-27-08
Wasn't THAT a fun night boys and girls ? I rejoined civilization at 1251 in Hawaii Kai. I hope the rest of you have also returned from "The Third World" !

I found Kermit exactly where I'd left him last night, hign on the beach at Crappy Cove, Sandy Beach. I got him cordoned off again, and had to adjust the ropes at 0930 and again at 1300, as he did his routine down and up moves. He was still there at 1500, with tons of people on the beach. This is D#16 of this recent adventure, and today is the 4th of a 4 day , three night overnighter package. He appears to be normal in every way, but this is gettin reeeeeeeal old , Kermit !!!

Sadie was the one and only resident of Rabbit Island today. .

Team Billand reported Irma at the last bench at Kalaeloa Campgrounds , Ewa Girl at the Palm Grove at Campbell Industrial Park, and 2AW at Kahe Power Plant (Tracks). Hey.....maybe it was 2AW's fault ????

Kerby Number One Oahu Weaner 12/26/08

Late DB Post Friday December 26th

Sadie&Mojo@RI, Kermit@SB, Kerby&Benny@KP, 12-26-08
Kermit was still on the beach at Crappy Cove, when I left last night at 1845. I found him waiting for me at 0600. I have no doubt that he overnighted for the 2nd consecutive night. He started high on the beach, and I cordoned him off. At 1050 I had to adjust the cordon with his move down to the water line. I came back at 1300, and to my shock, found that he had not only moved up, but had moved to just outside the rope line, with 3 tour vans on the sight. I managed to get everthing adjusted, and the people were pretty good about maintaining distance while I freaked out, getting everything moved. He was still there on my 1500 check. I'll return at dusk. Just in case you haven't been keeping track, this was Kermit's 15th consecutive day at Sandy Beach. He had gone out to feed on most nights but there have been several overnighters also.

At 0725 I found what would prove to be Sadie at 3BS on Rabbit Island. She began the day up in the Morning Glory but moved down to the water line to cool off at 1130, then back up into the Morning Glory at 1226.

Also at 1130 I found what would prove to be Mojo at the left end of the island. He would remain there all day.

Team Billand went above and beyond, in the rain to make the trek to Ka'ena Point, and at 0930 reported Kerby, and Benny.

Monk Seal Article from Hawaiian Airlines Magazine

Here is an article in this month's Hawaiian Airlines Inflight Magazine. DB

http://www.hanahou.com/pages/magazine.asp?Action=DrawArticle&ArticleID=740&MagazineID=46

DB sent this link out to many of the volunteers, but I wanted to post it here as well so that all of our support and far away seal lovers had a chance to read it too!
Also I just want to acknowledge DB and the Billand(s) for their tireless and extraordinary dedication to these animals.... I guess the monk seals didn't know it was a holiday....
Thank you my friends, DB, Barb and Rob.
~donna~

DB Post Thursday December 25th

Buster,Sadie&R301@RI, Kermit@SB, 12-25-08
I hope the whole Posse had a fun Christmas Day !! I found Kermit waiting for at Crappy Cove, Sandy Beach at 0604. He had been there when I left him at 1830 last night, and by his trail to the new location, I'd say that he probably overnighted again. Today's starting location was high on the beach, and directly in line with the main pathway to the beach, so everybody driving by was sure to see him. He would move down to the water line at 1000, and was still there on my 1500 check. I will , of course, recheck at dusk. He got LOTS of shots today, and I'll bet they will all be labeled "Christmas Seal".

My first look at Rabbit Island was a bust, but when I got back to the pier I found Buster at the left end, and Sadie and R301, close together fronting 3BS. They all remained there all day.

The Billands were out there in the sand this morning, but didn't find anybody

Merry Happy Everything to Everyone

Merry Happy to All! Mahalo Caring!

The latest KP official update:
http://www.starbulletin.com/news/20081224_Will_to_survive.html

DB Post Wednesday December 24th

RB08,Sadie,R301&Kolohe@RI, Kermit@SB, Irma&Benny@WP, 12-24-08
It was a busy little Monk Seal day out there. The Rabbit Island cast began as RB08 at the left end, and R301 at the 3BS. When I got back to the pier later, I found that the cast had grown to include, Sadie at 1BS, and Kolohe up in the vegetation way down at the right end of the beach. I was especially stoked to have RB08 and Sadie there at the same time. It rarely happens. Since they are basically twins, I have learned to tell them apart, but it's comforting to know that no matter what , I'm correct on the ID's when they are both there.

On my first 5 passes of Sandy Beach and Crappy Cove, I found nothing. Since Kermit had done an 1130 haul out just the other day, I was very much attuned to that possibility, and my Monachus Gene was pumpin' out Whisperer hormones big time. The instant I got the ID's on RB08 and R301 (1131), I scurried off to Crappy Cove, arriving at 1140. Sure enough therrrrrrrrrre was Kermit. Witnesses said he had just hauled out at 1130. I got him cordoned off, and on my 1500 check he ws snoozin' away. I'll return at dusk.

The Billands report Irma at White Plains at 0820. They called at 1118 to report that Gretchen had called them about a new arrival there. The animal had hauled out within the cordon , and was interacting with Irma. I called the White Plains lifeguards and they said they thought it was Benny. The Billands confirmed the Benny ID at 1242.

DB Post Tuesday December 23rd

Kolohe&RB08@RI, Kermit@SB, R2AW@Tracks,Ewa Girl&Benny@CIP, Irma@KCG, 12-23-08
Kermit was waiting for be at Crappy Cove, Sandy Beach, at 0616. He had obviously overnighted. At l000 he moved down to cool off, and was still there at 1500. I'll reassess at dusk.

At 0710 I found what would prove to be Kolohe, up in the now lush Morning Glory at the right end of the beach, his transmitter clearly visible. He would move down to cool off for the day at 1030, and remained there the rest of the day.

At 1150 RB08 hauled out to the left end of the beach. Her "RBOB Scoot" was immediately apparent. She would remain there the rest of the day.

The Billand had a bumper crop day of sightings. They reported 2AW at Tracks (Kahe Power Plant) at 1205, Ewa Girl & Benny at the palm grove at Campbell Industrial Park at 1246, and Irma at the last bench at Kalaeloa Campgrounds at 1305. Aloha, DB