At 0736 I found Kaiwi (RK96) snoozin' on "Buster Flats" on the east side of Lanai Lookout. She was still there on my afternoon recheck. Kimo reported her departure at 1828.

It would be 0920 before I could actually see Rabbit Island well enough through the VOG to see anything. At 0920 I found Duke (RA12) on the left end rock flats. He would relocated to Rocky Right Beach on RI in the afternoon.

At 0954 I became aware of what would prove to be M38 in Seal Rock Inlet. He too would relocate to RRB in the afternoon.

At 1307 Kainoa (RN04) finally became visible, hauling out of Seal Rock Inlet. All remained the rest of the day.

             

At 0820 Team Billand called with the report of M&M (R020) fronting #1707 White Plains.

A Waikiki/Diamond Head Saga began with a call from Ocean Safety at 0916 reporting an animal just hauling out to the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki. Before any response could be mounted, Dera called again to advise that the animal had been run off by the adoring hordes. Another call from Dera at 0952 advised of an animal attempting to haul out at the Banyan Tree, Kuhio Beach. Once again, the animal was run off. By now posse member Stephen was on the scene and followed the critter down the beach front headed east. The animal attempted haul outs at 2F LG stand, and again at San Souci Beach, but the same scenario played out each time. Stephen could not follow any further, and Colleen took up the hunt through the Diamond Head fronting. Losing it , headed toward Black Point. Everything about this story screams Rocky but neither Stephen nor Colleen could confirm the ID. Stephen did see a left side bleach, however, but could not read it.

 

What makes the story complicated is the fact that Dera called again at 1312 with the report of 2 animals at DH, near Colleen's house. Colleen was not available but Karen Rohter responded. 

Unfortunately, the animals were gone when she arrived. Another Dera call, at 1448 brought yet another report of 2 animals at the Beach Rd end of DH. This time however photos were available, showing a definite Buster (RV08) with his beautiful N21 bleach clearly visible, in the company of another , smaller U/U animal. Since Buster's bleach is on the right side it rules him out as the other animal in Waikiki. They departed again at 1456 headed west.

At 1601 Ocean Safety called with the report of an animal just hauling out to Sandy Beach. On the drive I was thinkin' Buster, but nope.... There was Benny (RE74) waiting for me at the east end of Sandy Beach. I cordoned him off. I picked up the rope at 1930. Benny remains.

 Kaiwi @ buster's flat

 

 buster and u/u at diamond head

 shake and bake benny at sandy's beach

 buster too the literal meaning to sandy beach 

 MM at white plains

 beautiful mama