1/1/2016 DB's Dailies: Kolohe,Buster,RM38,Kimo Kai&2 U/U, Pohaku@Maili Guard Rails, Kekoa@Maili Point,

We did the Sunrise mission at Makai Pier at 0600. Everybody else in the state of Hawaii parked their cars along the road and hiked up to Makapuu Lighthouse. It was a Zoo !

 Once it began to get light I could see animals on Rabbit Island. At 0645 I found what would turn out to be Kolohe (RW22) fronting 3BS. He would depart at 0712. At 0647 I became aware of what would prove to be RM38 just hauling out to Seal Rock Inlet, and at 0649 became aware of an animal tucked up against the log, left of 1BS, which would turn out to be Buster(RV08).

 We departed the pier around 0730, and did the rest of the SE quadrant check. Marilyn , Gayle and later Melanie all combed the quadrant and found nobody.

 I returned to Makai Pier at 0913, and found only RM38 & Buster visible, though it would be some time before I actually got the ID’s. Hanauma Bay was closed today, but I did a check and discovered that Buster was not there today. It was only after I got back to the pier that I realized the animal at the log, on RI was Buster. He does not seem to have started his molt, but he is ready to go any minute.

 At 0957 Kolohe would haul out to the left end rock flats in the company of what would prove to be Kimo Kai (RT12). Kimo Kai would reenter the water at 0958, only to haul out again fronting 1BS at 1010, where he remained the rest of the day.

 At 1246 on a pan I became aware that another animal had joined Kolohe out on the left end flats. The animal was never more than partially visible, and an ID was impossible. It may have been a juvenile sized animal but ???

 On a pan at 1334 I found that an adult sized animal had haul out to join Kimo Kai fronting 1BS. Because of lack of movement and shake & bake sand cover a confirmed ID was not possible. Strong north winds and rain brought the RI day to an end not long thereafter. I did see a red tag, but don’t know which hind flipper it was, and never saw a belly. My guess would be RK36 by size & color but ????

 At 1045 Team Billand checked in with the report of Pohaku (RO28) at Maili Guard Rails.

 At 1100 the found Kekoa (RK72) by himself at Maili Point (D#9). Both he and Pohaku were still at the respective locations on the late afternoon checks, along with too many people !!!

 HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL !!!

Makapuu Sunrise

 Plains Sunrise 

 Kekoa at Maili Point 

Pohaku at Maili Guard Rails