3/31/2017 In Addition: Lesley with Ka'ena Point Update

Received a call at 1:50pm regarding 2 seals in the area.

By the description I opted to go to 10 Minutes Beach (nickname for little beach at a 10 minutes walk from Ka'ena's parking lot on Mokuleia side)

From far I spotted a big wet seal hauling out. As I got to the beach I noticed it was RO40 "Ka'ena" and that he had fishing line coming out of is mouth. I reported him and NOAA's team showed up straight away. The seal had been reported early this morning and the team was out at the point looking for him.

The waves were enormous with reported over 20feet ones. Sets were coming up and washing the beach and "Ka'ena"

He was boarded, penned and a cage was put close by if needed for transport. Short story: hook was removed from his mouth in loco and off he went back into the water.

We'll be out in the morning for our Saturday hike and will be looking forward to seeing him.

Thank you Michelle Barbieri and team for another successful removal.

runaway - the video

3/31/2017 DB's Dailies: Kea & Kawena@Rabbit Island, Buster@China Walls, RK36,Kerby&Kekoa@Nani Kai Bch, Squinty,Kolohe&Ka'ena@Ka'ena Point, Ka'ena@10Min Bch,

I arrived at Makai Pier at 0730, but it would be 0806 before a seal entered my life. It was at that time that Kea (RN46) galumphed up from the water at 1BS on Rabbit Island. I’d last seen him on 2-15-17 (44 days ago). It was nice to have the boy home. His RFF NB was clearly visible.

 On a pan at 0837 I first saw a trail, and then, following the trail, found a small animal tucked in close to the driftwood log , at Right Greenery on RI. It would prove to be Kawena (RH36), by her N36 bleach.

 Posse members Vicki Hangai & Gayle Matsuda both sent word of an animal, nearly totally hidden in the Naupaka at China Walls. I saw Vicki’s shots and though there was little to go on, I have not problem at all saying that it was Buster, by his ventral scars. I went to China Walls but the big waves made access impossible .

 At 0825 Team Billand reported RK36 at Nani Kai Beach.

 Team Turgeau did the Ka’ena Point trek today. At 0828 Tammy advised that Squinty (R330) was departing just as they arrived.

 At 0830 they reported the arrival of Kolohe (RW22).

 At 0850 they advised that Ka’ena (RO40) had arrived. Sadly, at 0910 they noted that Ka’ena had line coming out of the right side of his mouth, with visible line at least the length of his body. NOAA was notified. A team is said to be responding. No further word at this writing.

 At 1110 Team Billand found Pohaku (RO28) at Electric Beach (Kahe Power Plant.

 At 1344 the Billands reported the arrival of Kerby (RW08) to Nani Kai Beach.

 Lesley checked in at 1430 to advise that she had found Ka’ena(RO40) at 10Min Bch on the Mokuleia side KP trail. NOAA personnel responded and the hook was successfully removed from under his tongue, and he swam off.

 Kawena

 welcome home Kea 

Ka'ena

 Okay Ka'ena your 1st hook of 2017... how about the last one

 Kolohe

 Squinty

Kekoa

 RK36 and Kerby

 RK36, Kerby and Kekoa

 RK36

 Pohaku

Ka'ena's HOOK

Year of the Monk Seal 2017

Aloha Good People

It was an honor to host author Jeanne Harvey Walker at my store Lanikai General Store!  Jeanne wrote a wonderful story about our beloved R5AY.  Honey Girl The Hawaiian Monk Seal !  Although I was hoping for a larger audience of keiki..... I was thrilled to see the turn out of many monk seal volunteers/supporters and long time posse!  It was so wonderful to share all of you with Jeanne, she was so happy to hear all your stories! 

Thank you all for your support... thank you Jeanne for taking time to visit my store and meeting with all of us... and thank you for the kind donations of books to some of the school libraries... I got one delivered and working on the other. 

I only wish I had more time to hang out with you!

author 
Jeanne Harvey Walker

3/30/2017 DB's Dailies: Kaiwi&Buster@Kokee Flats, Kekoa,RN14&Kerby@Nanakai, Kekoa,RN14&RW02@Maili

Once again, Rabbit Island was devoid of Monk Seals. Needless to say I’m bummed. Maybe tomorrow ?????

 Gayle called at 1100 with the report of Kaiwi (RK96) & Buster (RV08) were together at Irma’s Grotto, Kokee Flats. When I arrived at 1157 they were still there. Buster was of particular interest because a new marker, a LHF notch, and there is doubt as to just how many tags the boy still has. I’ve seen the notch, but did not see it today, due to Buster’s positioning. As for tags, all I could document was a single tag. His RV08 LHF tag. The dorsal side is just a nub, but the ventral side is badly worn and only the 8 can be seen. I did not see V38 or V39 tag, but it could have been just a matter of positioning. Maybe tomorrow ???

 At 0710 Team Billand reported Kekoa (RK72) at Nanakai.

 At 0755 RN14 arrived to join him. Both departed around 0815.

 At 0905 Kekoa & RN14 were found by the Billands at Maili. NOAA personnel got a bleach on RN14. No vaccination due to location on the rocks.

Team Billand reported the arrival of RW02 to Maili at 1140.

 The Billands called at 1539 with the report of the arrival of Kerby (RW08) to Nanakai.

Buster

 

 Kaiwi and Buster

 Kaiwi

RN14

 RN14 and Kekoa @ Nanakai

RN14 and Kekoa at Maili

 Kekoa @ Nanakai

 RN14 @ Maili

 RW02

Kerby at Nanakai

 Love this picture