12/31/2014 Happy New Year

aloha good people!

I pulled these photos off of Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program.... I thought we would be happy to hear Benny is recovering and they'll fill us in with the details sometime tomorrow.... they worked late into the evening..... BIG MAHALOS!!!   Dr. Greg, Dr. Miles and Dr. Michelle and the entire NOAA Team.   These photos are under NOAA permit 932-1905

that's a huge hook!!!

 Benny resting comfortably 

 THE AMAZING TEAM that makes it happen.... thank you to all of you and happy new year to each of you.... god bless.

12/31/2014 DB's Dailies: Buster,Aukai,Kainoa&RM38@RI, DB ,Kolohe@Maili Point, Team Billand

Once again Kea was a no show. The only action in the SE quadrant was on Rabbit Island . On my 1st look at 0728 I found Buster (RV08) snoozin’ at the log, 40 ft left of 1BS. When I got back for my 2nd look at 0918 I found that Aukai (RL12) & Kainoa (RN04) had joined Buster at the log. All 3 would later move down.

 On a pan at 1019 I found a newly arrived RM38 at Seal Rock Inlet.

 At 1539 Team Billand checked in with the report of Kolohe (RW22) at Maili Point

 I checked in with Tracy at noon, to get a Benny update. She advised that they would not begin working on him until this evening, so there is no new info.

 To Benny, rest of the critters, and all of you......... HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!
Happy New Year Mr and Mrs Seal Whisperer !

 Buster Aukai and Kainoa

 Kolohe

 RM38

12/30/2014 DB's Dailies: (cont) Benny Rescue

Benny showing some discomfort

oh my what a big tongue you have

okay here I am.... can I get a little help?

 NOAA team there to capture da Benny

 thank you guys!

 okay Benny be a good patient... wishing you a speedy recovery!

12/30/2014 DB's Dailies:Buster,Aukai&Kainoa@RI, Benny@PC&WP, Kolohe@Maili Pt, Luana@KP

The Kea Kuest dominated most of the day, to no avail. At 0743 on my 1st look at Rabbit Island, I found what would prove to be Buster (RV08) up in the Morning Glory, at the log, 40 ft left of 1BS . 

When I got back for round 2 Buster had moved down at the left end, and on a pan I found Aukai (RL12), 50 ft right of 1BS.

 On a pan at 1025 I found Kainoa (RN04) newly hauled out to join Buster. All would snooze away the day.

 Their were lots of folks out on the Benny Quest today. Mahalos to all of you. At 0911 Team Billand called to advise that Benny (RE74) was a Paradise Cove, but never actually hauled out, for whatever reason. He still had the visible line coming out of the left side of his mouth . He would depart at 0935, and was lost, even though the Billands attempted to follow. NOAA personnel were stages on the west side in case Benny popped up again.

 At 1341 Team Billand called to advise that Benny had just hauled out fronting #1707, White Plains. The NOAA team was on the scene and captured him. Unfortunately, the hook was in a difficult location in the mouth, and they could not get to it on the beach, so at 1441 he was being transported by NOAA personnel. Tracy called at 1753 to advise that Xrays showed an ingested hook, so the team will amass tomorrow to take care of him. Mahalos to NOAA responders, and to the White Plains Lifeguards able assistance.

 At 0835 the Billands reported Kolohe (RW22) at Maili Point.

 Vera Cober checked in at 1245. She and Arec had done Ka’ena Point, from the west side (Lesley & Kimo L were going in from the Mokuleia side). Vera reported Luana (RN58) at the Main Pool at KP.

 Kainoa and Buster 

 Kolohe 

 Luana

 Thar she blows !!!!  AWESOME!

DB Dailies (cont) Benny at Ka'ena Point

Word is Mr. Benny has a hook... anyone who is out and about in the next day or two please call in any Benny sightings .... he has a stub for a tag, he has left and right facial scars... please call 220-7802 with any information!

12/29/2014 DB's Dailies: Kainoa@RI, Rocky@KK, Pohaku@PC, Haupu&RIP@WP, Benny, RK36&Luana@KP, Nihoa@ Mokuleia

Kea was a no show today, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t completely control the flow of the day. Both Gayle and I did lotsa’ lookin’, and lotsa’ dealing with the insane traffic and crowds out this way.

 At 1100 on my 2nd look at Rabbit Island I found Kainoa (RN04), at the log, in the Morning Glory, 40 ft left of 1BS. He would move down to cool off, allowing the ID. He was the only observed RI resident today.

 At 1416 I asked Linda Nichols for a Kokee check, and sure enough she reported Rocky (RH58) at Irma’s Grotto, below her house.

 At 0708 Team Billand reported Pohaku (RO28) at Paradise Cove.

 At 1224 they reported the arrival of RIP (RR70) fronting #1707. He would reenter the water just briefly remaining in the same area, only to haul out again after a few minutes, fronting #1708, WP. 

At 1259 Team Billand reported the arrival of Haupu (RB24) fronting the Surf Shack, White Plains.

 Kimo Smith called at 1320 with the report of Benny (RE74) with line & swivel coming out of the left side of his mouth. No hook could be visualized. Tracy was advised, and NOAA personnel are going out to assess Benny’s situation . Awaiting word from Tracy, and Kimo shots.

 Kimo called at 1922 to advise that Benny had departed just as Tracy & David were arriving, so there was no new info gained. Hopefully, Benny will move to the west side or some other accessible location tomorrow, so this can be dealt with.

 Kimo also advised that RK36 & Luana (RN58) were also at KP. He also advised that he’d seen Nihoa (R912) at the Mokuleia birth beach in the morning.

 Kainoa at Rabbit Island

 Rocky at Kokee Flats 

 Haupu at White Plains

 Pohaku at Paradise Cove 

 

Rip at white plains

12/29/2014 DB's Dailies: Aukai&RM38@RI, Kea@SB, Rocky@KK, Haupu & RIP@WP, Kolohe@Lani's&Secrets, RK36@Maili Guard Rails,

On my 4th check of the Sandy Beach outfall, at 0855, I found a newly arrived Kea (RN46), tucked into his favorite Naupaka. I cordoned him off, and he has remained the rest of the day. Gayle reported Kea’s departure at 1748.

 At 1000 on my 2nd look at Rabbit Island, I found Aukai (RL12), 50 ft right of 1BS.

 At 1054 she would be joined by RM38. Both would remain the rest of the day.

 Posse member Linda Nichols called at 1250 with the report of Rocky , once again behind her home at Kokee Flats. We confirmed the Rocky (RH58) ID on arrival at 1320.

 Mahalos to Marilyn, Melanie & Gayle for another day combing the quadrant.

 At 0935 Team Billand reported Haupu (RB24) at the fence line, White Plains.

Bev reported that Haupu had been struck by a flying beach umbrella at 1339, and she departed, only return at 1407, apparently none the worse for wear.

 At 0935 the Billands also saw an animal down the beach. At 0944 they confirmed the RIP (RR70) ID, fronting #1707, WP.

 Dana called at 1132 with the report of Kolohe (RW22) at Lanikohonua, KoOlina. A Dana text at 1250 advised that he had relocated to Secrets.

 At 1524 Team Billand found RK36 at Maili Guard Rails.

Aukai and RM38

 Rocky at Kokee Flats 

Kea at Sandys