2/3/2018 Monk Seal Dailies: (part 1) Five Rabbit Island Critters, U/U Waikiki, Kolohe RW22, Kalani RN14, & Ka'ale RH32

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand, Gayle, Ka'ena Point Trio Lesley, Marily & Diane (see part 2 of the dailies) and Justin T.

Gayle did not find Right Spot or anyone else in or around Sandy Beach today. But she did spot FIVE critters on Rabbit Island. One photo has two laying side by side, and the other has three spread out. At least two of the five are full sized large adults and there is one small youngen. The other could be sub adult/adult.

Justin T. sent an email letting us know he was at Waikiki today stand up paddle boarding where he spotted a seal about 10:30 am between the Canoe lineups and Queens surf break. The seal went towards Diamond Head and approached a group of snorklers near the jetty by Barefoot Beach Cafe. He alerted them and many of them quickly left the water. The seal briefly went on the sand on the Ewa side of the jetty but then reentered the water swimming toward the Aquarium and Natatorium at 11 am. He was unable to ID the seal, it looked like an adult, he did not notice any injuries, unusual behavior or markings. Justin has seen seals on shore and while diving over the years and can identify several critters on sight, but he felt this was the first time he had seen this one while paddle boarding. (no picture, but good to have the story, thank you Justin)

Meanwhile Team Billand was out at Sunrise, they didn't find any seals but witnessed a gorgeous sunrise. 
Finally heading off to a Leeward Beach they were waiting around starting to think no one was going to show up in this big gigantic waves, covering the area like snow. But after 40 minutes they spotted something and one comes in waves tossing the seal about, but the determined critter landed on  the lower rocks, washed off and came back up. It was RW22 Kolohe, trying to bare down with his fore flippers. Wave after wave just covering him, and he stayed.  
A second seal was spotted surf pounding crashing, looking so dangerous. The second seal was getting tossed about but kept coming. It was RN14 Kalani, he came in looking saw Kolohe and approached slowly. Kolohe awoke, turned to face Kalani and they had a few words but Kalani was determined to haul up with him. In the end they both stayed together in between rocks. Barbara noted it was super amazing what they did baring down with each powerful wave hitting them. Team Billand left the area  but when they returned later both seals remained.
When Team Billand returned later there were two seals side by side, snoozing together in between the rocks, which she assumed was Kolohe and Kalani. BUT..they see Kolohe to the right alone tag showing, so they went back to the two seals, and one is smaller with a whiter belly and tag showing RH32, it's Kaale the little head butt.  All three remained and truly amazing they fought off the rough surf. 

2 critters side by side

 3 critters

Kolohe arrives

 RN14 Kalani arrives

 Kolohe & Kalani

 RH32 Ka'ale & RN14 Kalani

 big white belly Ka'ale