7/31/2010 DB Dailies

At 0632 I found Kolohe snoozin' at the cliff ,at Rocky Right Beach at the right end of Rabbit Island. He would later move down but remained at that location all day.

When I got back to Makai Pier for the day, at 0840 I found Duke on the far left end of the beach at RI. He too would remain at that location all day.

At 0919 Buster hauled out, 60 ft left of 1BS, but relocated to join Duke. They remained there together for the rest of the day.

From Makai Pier, I scanned Kaupo Beach Park, through the scope, at 1000, and lo and behold found Kermit amongst the rocks. He had not been there on my 0615 check, but campers said he was there at 0800, so that is the arrival window. I confirmed the Kermit ID at 1006, and put out signs. He would remain there until 1334 when he reentered the water with the rising tide. I lost sight of him at 1340 . I'll never be able to prove it to the office, but at 1400 I got a partial view of a transmitter animal hauling out to Sam's location on RI. Unfortunately, the animal was behind a big rock and all I could see was head and shoulders, with a transmitter. It only stayed a minutes, reentering the water without showing me anything elso. I know in my little , bald heart that it was Kermit, I just can't prove it. I did not see the animal again today.

Dera called at 1240 with the report of an animal at the lagoon at Magic Island. She said that posse member Stacey Stella was responding. Stacey confirmed the Rocky ID at 1346. This is Rocky's 2nd haul out to that location. Rocky's Mom (Colleen) relieved Stacey, and like the outstanding little mother that she is, reminded me (and us) that today is Rocky's 10th Birthday !! Happy Birthday Rocky !!!!!

This was D#32 for R5AY&Pup at Turtle Bay. Diane Gabriel came through with shots from yesterday.

Buster and Duke

Sam

Kermit

7/31/2010 Rocky Turns 10

Thank you Stacy and Mama Collen

Happy Birthday Rocky

7/31/2010 R5AY and Pup

7/30 News Alert to Big Island Volunteers

Hey Bloggers anyone around the Hilo side of Big Island keep your eyes open and follow up with the email or phone number below.  I wish all the responders the best of luck and just hope the seal has found some safety.  ~donna~

From: Hilo Marine Mammal Response Network
Date: July 30, 2010 2:47:31 PM HST

Aloha all,

Unfortunately, a monk seal was attacked by a Pit Bull earlier today in the Kau region. Reports from the NOAA law enforcement agency say the attack lasted for about a minute until the seal retreated into the ocean. The extent of injury is unknown, and is very little information currently about this matter. If you have any information (location attack may have taken place, name of dog owner, recent seal sightings, etc.) please contact our monk seal line at 808-756-5961, or email hmmrn@hawaii.edu.

Also, this attack reminds us that each individual seal is crucial to the survival of the species. There are only ~1,100 seals left, and the number declines each year. If you see a seal, please remember to be respectful and call the hot line above, but send us photos that may assist in the photo-identification of the seal.

Please email if you are still here for the summer and can be on standby for a response.

Thank you,
Laura J. Knight
HMMRN Volunteer Coordinator

7/30/2010 DB Dailies

At 0655, from the Makapuu Overview I found what would prove to be Kolohe and Buster at Rocky Right Beach, at the right end of Rabbit Island. They would remain there all day.

When I got to Makai Pier I found found that Duke was up in the grass behind Seal Rock Inlet, at the right end of the beach. He would move down , and remain there the rest of the day.

When I got back to Makai Pier at 0846 I found RIP at the far left end of the beach. He would enter the water at 1154 and haul out at 1123, and again at 1153 to join Sam who had hauled out to 1BS at 0931. On each occasion RIP never approached closer than 20 ft, and stayed only a couple of minutes each time. Ultimately RIP returned to the left end of the beach at 1209 and remained there the rest of the day.

Sam hauled out to 1BS at 0931, and reentered the water at 1207. He remained in the water through the rest of the observation period.

Team Billand reported Rocky at Iroquois Point at 1038. She would move 4 times during the day, requiring a redo of the cordon each time, but remained at IRQ all day.

Team Billand found Ewa Girl at the Kalaeloa Campgrounds (KCG) at 0955. She would be gone on their 1430 check.

Dera called at 1340 with the report of a swimming animal reported by life guards at 2E in Waikiki. The animal wanted to haul out but , of course, the beach crowd was lining the water line and it was impossible for the animal to haul out. It departed , swimming off toward the east.

Colleen was on the job, while I was stuck in Hawaii Kai road construction traffic. I never got there. Colleen called at 1451 to report that one of her DH posse had called her saying that an animal with a tranmitter had just hauled out to the Black Point end of Diamond Head. Alas, by the time Colleen made her way there the animal had departed, due to lack of beach with the rising high tide, and SW swell. It was last reported swimming off to the east.

Hopefully, tomorrow will tell the tale. Obviously, I have no real clue, but my dollar is definitely on Kermit. We shall see !!!

This was D#31 for R5AY&Pup at Turtle Bay.

I received news late in the day that Benny was chasin' Molokai chicks today.Tanx Eh ! Diane

Duke

RIP and Sam

RIP

Sam

7/30/2010 (cont)

Rocky Girl

Ewa Girl

7/30/2010 Benny on Molokai

Benny cruising Molokai... Those Oahu boys are real players... Although Benny this is not very polite if your doing what I think you are doing... Geesh man that's no way to impress the ladies. (thanks diane for the pics) ~donna~

5/29/2010 DB Dailies

My Rabbit Island day began at 0632 with Kolohe at the right end (Rocky Right Beach...RRB). Just as with the past 3 days , he remained there by himself all day.

At 0850 I became aware of Sam lolling in the water off shore of 3BS. He would slowly cruise back toward the left end of the island, finally hauling out to 1BS at 1030.

Sam would be joined at 1230 by Buster. At 1240 they entered the water together for a swim/play session. I lost them immediately, but did see Buster's swimming head at 1300. At 1313 Buster hauled out to 3BS and remained there the rest of the day.

I got a glimpse of Sam's white belly , lolling in his usual spot between 1BS, and Left Greenery (LG). He remained in the water for the remainder of the observation period.

Team Billand reported Rocky at IRQ at 0858. Barbara reported that she had departed at 1105 do to noisy swimmers in her area.

This was D#30 for R5AY & Pup at Turtle Bay

Sam and Buster

Buster

Rocky

5/29/2010 Day 30 R5AY and Pup

Thanks Lesley for sharing todays' photos.... great shots. It is my understanding the pup has been given the name Malie Ua which to the best of my knowledge means calm rain... (it is my personal opinion this pup is anything but calm)... Its a beautiful name... I would just like to make sure from some who knows the Hawaiian language that it is being used in the correct context.  Otherwise it is beautiful.