HMMA Update from September 5th

The morning began with at 0445 with a report of 2 seals at Paradise Cove. Barbara would ID Pohaku (RO28) and Benny (RE74). Jon checked in at 0530 at Paradise Cove he was waiting for the NOAA team to arrive to further asses Benny's hooking. Benny entered the water at 0555 and was not seen again that day. A Big Mahalo to all the volunteers who spent countless hours searching for Benny! At 0630 Colleen reported a molting Rocky (RH58) and Kaiwi (RK96) at the Colony Surf. Marilyn checked in at 0719 reporting Kawena (RH48) in the inlet at Alan Davis. At 0730 a report came in about a seal on the rocks at Guard Rails. Barbara would call with the same report at 0912. She ID'ed Nihoa (R912). Barbara noted Nihoa looks like she may start her molt sometime soon. At 0800 Marilyn checked back in at with a report of Kawena now on the beach near the large tide pool at Alan Davis. Kawena would remain at 1045 when Marilyn departed. Karen T. checked in at 0921 with a report of Lei Ola (RH48) in the Keiki Pool. At 1030 Don checked in with a report of Luana (RN58) at Secret Beach in Mokuleia. At 1354 a report was made about a seal in front of Camp Erdman. The seal was ID'ed as Ka'ale (RH32) by tags. Ka'ale would depart at 1407. At 1428 Karen T. checked in again with a report of Holokai (RG40) at Turtle Bay east of the hotel. At 1550 a report came in about a UU seal observed swimming in Kailua. The seal was swimming in the direction of the MCBH. Diane checked in at 1842 with a report of Holokai now sleeping near the tide pools. Lei Ola was observed in the water foraging.

 Karen T. checked in via email from Turtle Bay. When she arrived at the Keiki Pool at 0900, she was found Lei Ola (RH48) in the water. Karen observed some foraging. The tide was coming in and at 1025 she went over the reef and foraged all up and down the coast east of the SPZ about 150 yards. Lei Ola was observed taking short breathers in the shallows but never hauled out. Karen lost her in the waves at 1400.