6-29-2012 DB Dailies: M&M,Pup (D#17),Kolohe&Sadie@RI, Irma@MB, Buster@SC, Kaiwi@LL, 2AW@Elec.Bch, T21M@Kualoa, KC@Mokuleia, Benny@Yokes, Right Spot, 3 Tables

The first order of business was to check Irma's at 0535. Thankfully, Irma had departed . I picked up the signs and continued the adventure.

At 0630 I found M&M (R020)&Pup (D#17), once again at Rocky Right Beach, Rabbit Island. I looked from a variety of locations throughout the day, and they were only partially visible , behind the water front rocks, at best.  

Posse member Gayle called at 0724 with the report of an animal at Spitting Cave. It would prove to be Buster (RV08). He spent the day patrolling from the big rock to the 2nd point, with the occasionaL foray into the bay , no doubt on his "Irma Quest". The boy just doesn't give up ! Gayle and I observed 7 minute dives. Posse member Colleen reported that he was still there, at 1304 as she was doing tour guide duty.

Knowing that Irma was in the area, I was, of course, in maximum Irma Quest mode. I had checked Makapuu 4 times, but on my 5th time, at 0955, as I peered down at the beach, from along side the road, therrrrrrre was an animal rolling in the shore break off shore of the right end of the beach. When the animal began to haul out I headed for the beach, and at 1007 I was cordoning off Irma (R010) at the right end of Makapuu. If you think , for a moment that I have a clue what I'm doing you are sadly mistaken "grasshoppas". There is a gigantic element of BS luck involved here. She has remained the rest of the day. I picked up the rope at 1950. Irma remains.

At 1042 on my 2nd look at Rabbit Island I found what would prove to be Sadie (RB12) and Kolohe (RW22) together, 60 ft left of 1BS on RI.

At 1248 posse member Gayle called to report Kaiwi (RK96) at Lanai Lookout .

Team Billand checked in at 0810 with the report of 2AW at Electric Beach.

Dana called at 0812 with the report of an animal at Kualoa Beach Park. Latest word as of 1339 was that it was T21. Dera confirmed the tag number but accidently deleted the photo , however another shot shows his old transmitter patch

At 0845 Dana called with the report of an animal behind the Polo Field, Mokuleia. The single photo received (thank you Bonnie) would suggest KC (RK28).

Team Billand checked in again at 1201 with the report of Benny (RE74) at 3rd Dip, Yokes.

A email report of Dana advised that Right Spot (R016) was a sighted at 3 Table (Shark's Cove) today, around noon. Thank You Hannah. The photo Dera sent is of no ID value.

There isn't much news from "the back of beyond" in the wilds of Kahuku, but I thought you'd like to know that Ua Malie is 2 years old today !!!!

 Irma 

 Happy Birthday Ua'Maili

 Kaiwi @ Lanai Lookout

 KC @ Mokuleia

 T21 

2AW  T21 @ Electric Beach

 Benny @ Yokes

6-28-2012 DB's Dailies:

At 0633 I found M&M(R020)&Pup (D#16) at Rocky Right Beach, on Rabbit Island. They would remain at that location all day. I wasn't around much, but did manage to see one feed.

At 0656 I found Kaiwi (RK96) doing 5 minute dives at the ladder at Spitting Cave. I did not see her after 0900.

At 0752 I found RIP (RR70) doing 8 minute dives at Spitting Cave.

At 0850 what would prove to be Buster (RV08) suddenly showed up in RIP's area to the right side of the rock, and RIP began chasing him more into the bay. I last saw RIP at 0910. Buster would return to SC at 0906 , doing 10 minute dives. He moved more into the bay for a 20 minute period, no doubt on an Irma Quest, but returned to SC. He was still there when I departed at 1030.

At 1118 I found Irma (R010) at Irma's. I cordoned her off, and she has remained the rest of the day. I picked up the rope at 1945. Irma remains.

When I got back to Makai Pier at 1148, I found what would prove to be Kolohe (RW22) and Nani (RK60), 60 ft left of 1BS on RI.

Posse member Zeeny called at 1400 to report Kaiwi (RK96) at Lanai Lookout.

At 0906 Dana called to report Right Spot (R016) at Chun's Reef on the North Shore.

Team Billand reported Benny (RE74) at Maili Point at 0909.

Dera called at 1635 with a report from posse member Eileen, reporting Kekoa (RK72) at the Reef Runway. She also confirmed that Kekoa no longer has his transmitter.

 

 RIP bottoms up 

 RIP and Buster

 Buster Brown

 Irma at Irma's

 MM and Pup

 Kolohe 

 Kolohe and Nani

 Benny at Maili

 Baby Girl Kaiwi

6-27-2012 Sharkbite's Send Off

Aloha Good People!
Below are some words shared by Barbara Billand along with Team Billands' photos.... I am also including some photos KathySagum shared as well.  I think you will all agree the special spirit that gathered tonight to honor T15 Sharkbite.  Personally I was not able to attend.... So I am grateful for everyone sharing their experience.... I do believe the love and care we have for our monk seals bonds us all together. I also want to say I am sharing the images and words with the utmost respect for Sharkbite's memory and everyone who attended. 

As I sat on shore, I felt this great urge to make a sand sculpture of Sharkbite in his memory. Well, the waves and wind took care of the sculpture and thats ok...it was for his spirit.
Folks started arrivng around 5:30pm...most everyone there by 6pm or just after.
Mat and La akea were the Hawaiian Practitioners who did the ceremony...

And Mr. Schofield explained who ever wanted to spread ashes of Sharkbite to come forward Man I was up and ready....I never expected that...not in a millions years. I cried to have this awesome opportunity TO TOUCH OUR BELOVED SHARKBITE...TOUCH HIS SOUL. Oh my god...I was in Heaven with his spirit going through my body. It was pure emotions all coming out of me...and I was so proud, NOAA and Mat and La akea asked us to be a part of this ceremony. Rob was busy opening the gates for the visitors coming in...I was looking for him as I wanted him to be a part of this too. I thought he was going to miss this...but then he finally came back to shore. I asked Matt if one more person could help with the ashes...AND ROBERT MADE IT....I saw his face...his reaction to be apart of Sharkbite with me and the others.

ANd then Matt asked if anyone wanted to speak of Sharkbite...no one raised their hand...So I came to speak...It was so over whelming to talk of him...my hero. But for some reason, all the words came pouring out of my mouth...It was so spiritual. I really didnt care how I looked, or who was there...Sharkbite....thats who mattered to me and Rob.

Time for spreading of ashes...I was the first to stick my fat hands into Sharkbite...all I could think of WOW..THIS IS SHARKBITE, I am holding his spirit, his soul. Oh my god. I bent down in the water, gently releasing Sharkbite...wow, wow....I just cried and cried. I bid him farewell...one by one each person got to do the same...even Rob.

The next thing..Matt asked Rob and I to release all of the ashes, make sure that bag was emptied completely. Well, at first it was easy, then for some Reason, Sharkbite didnit want to let go...We waited for the waves and finally....Sharkbite was FREE FREE. Wow...Wow...Rob and I let Sharkbite go...it was the greatest feeling I have felt...truly amazing

The other volunteers that came by were June Kawamata, Kathy, Nelson, Leslie, Diane G., Karen Turner, Vera and son, Brenda Becker...I was thrilled to see her..she said she met Sharkbite in the 80's, North Western Hawaiian Islands. She says she misses him alot.  Audrey and husband, all the Aqua Crew and Kids, Dera, David, Kimo, and more...I forget, sorry.

I will never ever forget this Ceremony, NEVER. Being apart of something so big......is quite extraordinary!!!!!!!! I will always feel Sharkbites soul, as HE WAS MY HERO...He said....NEVER GIVE UP.....
Farewell T15M, B

photos from Kathy