9/10/2014 DBs Dailies: 21M@Portlock Beach, Nani,Aukai&Benny@RI, Kaiwi@CW, Pohaku&Kolohe@Secrets&Paradise Cove, Nihoa@Keaau's, RL42@Makau Cliffs, U/U@Kaimana,

I had been on the road since 0630, and was on my way to check Portlock Beach, when Schofield called at 0747, followed shortly by Diane G, with a Hotline call, both advising of an HPD call about a sick or injured seal fronting 238 Portlock Rd. When I arrived I found T21M , slowing swimming, about 15 ft off shore, heading in an easterly direction. He hauled out for about 15 minutes, at 0803, about 100 ft east of where we’d started, allowing me to get ID shots, and check him. He appeared the same as yesterday.
He reentered the water and began the same slowly swim on the surface, heading west. He would occasionally submerge and come up a few feet further, but the water is only a few feet deep so there was no diving involved. By 0851 he had arrived at the sand bags that form the left margin of the Hawaii Kai Marine channel. At that point he submerged and I did not see him again. I remained there for 45 minutes, and did addition checks at mid day and at 1600. Same result.

 At 0926 I got an Ocean Safety call about an animal at the east end of Sandy Beach. When I arrived the animal was gone. A witness said it had rolled in he shallows for a minute or so and did not attempt to haul out, departing to the west. This is what has become classic Buster behavior but ??? I relocated to Blowhole for a overview but saw nothing, nor did he show up the rest of the day.

 A call from Colleen at 1019, firstly brought word of no Rocky at Kaimana, and also advised of a text from her kayaker friend , David, who reported an animal at Kuliouou Beach Park. When I arrived I found nothing.

A 1530 phone conversation with David advised that he’d seen “the greenest animal I’ve ever seen” on a piece of sand on the east side of the drainage canal as he paddled out. Because T990 has been sighted at that location on 3 other occasions, I’ve got to put him at the top of the list, however T21M cannot be ruled out.

 At 1212 from Makai Pier , I found Nani (RK60) at Seal Rock Inlet on Rabbit Island.

 At 1231 Aukai (RL12) with Benny (RE74) right behind, hauled out to Nani’s location. Thereafter followed Benny being his usual self, hounding both the girls. They finally gave him the slip, hauling out together at 1BS. I did not see Benny again after 1415.

 Melanie was combing the quadrant today and called at 1230 with the report of Kaiwi (RK96) at China Walls.

 At 0625 Team Billand reported Pohaku (RO28) at Secrets, KoOlina. At 0955 they advised that Kolohe (RW22) had hauled out to join Pohaku. Kolohe would depart at 1012, and Pohaku followed at 1017.

 At 1055 Diane T., reported that Pohaku & Kolohe had arrived at Paradise Cove. Pohaku hauled out, Kolohe did not. Diane reported Pohaku’s departure at 1445. At 1409

Team Billand found Nihoa (R912), 1-2% molted at Keaau’s.

 At 1439 the found RL42 at Makua Cliffs.

 The dreaded Ocean Safety, call came at 1706, reporting an animal at Kaimana Beach. I notified Dana. Awaiting further word.

 Val Bloy sent more shots from yesterday’s trek on Kauai. The shots show Pohaku’s boy (RF28) and playmate RF30, and RF58, Rocky’s girl, once again playing with R8HY. Thank you Val !!

 Grandma & Grandpa Billand are doing duty tonight, so check the blog in the morning for their day.

Aukai and Benny

 Aukai and Nani

 Nani and Benny

 Kaiwi at china wall 

 doing the backstroke

 T21m by portlock

 Resting comfortably 

 swimming away... 

Pohaku RO28 hanging out at Secrets