"This isn’t the end of the story. We learned a lot from Pohaku, and made many firsts. I will honor her by doing everything I can to create lasting change for her pups, the future of the species, and the ecosystem "
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pacific-islands/endangered-species-conservation/hawaiian-monk-seal-updates?fbclid=IwAR2UdijYsAUuhSoAxTQatz8AFw4L0Jz6VDXzugiugsxGAc5LWz5-y3vMOTw
I mentioned to Barbara I wanted to pay tribute to Pohaku and if she would send me some stories with photos. There is no better way to explain than in Barbara's own words.
"For 10 long years we watched and looked after Miss Pohaku R028...but got word she passed away April 1 2020 of Toxo.
I cried, SOBBED, thought of all the times we spent with her at many beaches...including Kauai.
It all began Nov 2009 ..... we heard the news of Pohaku's Mother RK06 shot to death at Kauai. Man who shot her was 78 yr old Charles Vindiha of kauai. Why did he shoot Pohaku's Mom?
He said, She was taking all his fish and he wanted to SCARE HER AWAY. Mr Vindiha not just killed RK06, but the unborn son she was about to give birth to. What did he get? A $25 fine and 90 days in jail.
After hearing this VERY TRAGIC story , I told Robert my husband, IF WE EVER MEET HER SIBLINGS, lets take care of them for ever. That was my PROMISE.
Nov 2010, at Maili Pt, I found Miss Pohaku R028, resting high up in the rocks, next to a shredded Flag on a stick. Miss Pohaku had a new cookie cutter wound on her right side of body....Plus she had other cookie scars on her right side. I called Rob to tell him HOW THRILLED I WAS TO MEET POHAKU. Her coat was beautiful inspite of all her cookie scars...what an honor to finally MEET HER.
She spent many days at Maili area, but loved this beach known as DEPOTS. Folks werent always kind to her while she basked in the sun. But we stayed with her and TRIED to educate folks bothering her. Pohaku didnt care, she didnt like it, she tolerated humans. SHE NEVER ONCE WENT UP TO A HUMAN BEING...HUMANS found great pleasure walking up to her for a close up photo.
Pohaku had many males who hung out with her...but...one male known as Benny RE74 was her favorite male friend. Benny had this calendar in his mind that knew when Pohaku would be returning to Oahu and he'd find her alot.
We tried going to Kauai upon all her journeys to Kauai birthing...and met nice folks on Kauai and became good friends. One nice gal was Val Bloy, Gary, and the nice couple Mary and Lloyd. It was fun to meet each of her beautiful off spring.
One day, Pohaku didnt make the trip to Kauai, stayed on Oahu, we found her and followed her closely till the day she gave birth at KoOlina Paradise Cove.
It was July 19th 2019.... she was at Paradise cove and not happy...but the day was way too long for us and we left TO GO HOME. As soon as we got home, AUNTIE NETTIE called us back...COME BACK, POHAKU JUST GAVE BIRTH!!!!! Oh dam, we just missed the incredible birthing...someone else took a video who saw the birthing. WE MISSED IT all.
We hurried out to Paradise Cove, anxious to see the PUP...who was a beautiful FEMALE that Auntie would eventually call...NANEA...Peaceful .
Got to site, there were a gazillion people, so loud, and there was the pup, big eyed and jet black. I cried with joy and yet very disappointed we missed the birth. HMAR was there busy building the barrier around the sweet little girl and Pohaku. As I tried to take photos of the event, I realized I forgot my chip for the camera. Rob ran to the car and luckily, I had one chip in my bag in the car. THANK GOD.
We went to Paradise Cove daily for the next 40 days Pohaku nursed her Nanea. She was a great Mama, very protective and any one who came close she would CHARGE!!
Pohaku had many visitors, which included good ole BENNY, Kalani RN14, RIP and one unknown.
Like I said, she loved Benny but fought the others off.
We were honored to have had those 40 days together with Pohaku and Nanea. It was the best time in our lives and we educated so many good folks. We got close to Auntie Nettie who also took great pride in watching over Nanea.
Noaa captured Nanea took her blood work, put a transmitter on her, new shiny red tags that read RL44/RL45. Relocated her to North shore...Melody took me out to site as NOAA released little Nanea...who swam her heart out, in a strange new home. She adapted, other seals would visit her, one was the Famous...RJ58 Kaimana who was born Waikiki in 2017. That was amazing.
Rob and I never went back to North shore he couldnt do the walk any more...so on release day, that was the last time we saw Nanea ALIVE. She would be found dead on the 26th day at her new home...OH how we cried for days...months, I still cry.
It is very hard to go to Paradise cove now as we shared so many great days with Nanea and Pohaku. I never found out WHY SHE DIED.
Pohaku made a few visits after weaning...it was sad to see her....
She molted at Lagoon 4...it would be her last molt.
It got harder and harder to relocate Pohaku, she changed to Plains and other areas.
On Jan 11 we found Pohaku at Nimitz beach , logging. My heart sank, was she ill? I notified NOAA about her logging. Then she disappeared again but found Lagoon 4 logging....they were going to capture her, but she left with the currents, floated a couple of days more.
Jan 22 Pohaku was found in Lagoon One, logging. It broke our hearts, we knew she had TOXO, we had other seals die during our years with seals. She didnt use her flippers at all, rolled in waves. It was HEART BREAKING.
Pohakus was rescued by NOAA that day, it would be our last visit with her....she was taken to Ford
Island...then shipped out to Ke Kai Ola where for weeks, the good folks there tried to help her.
Sadly after everyones hard work in trying to save Pohaku, she passed away according to the news on April 1st 2020. I burst out in tears.....I knew it was coming....but watching it on the news brought it to reality. A very tragic ending for a GOOD MOM, of seven pups...all living except Nanea.
FOR YOU POHAKU RO28...you will always be in our minds, our hearts for ever!!! You will be missed....now you will meet up with Nanea and be free of humans who bothered you all those years. God bless you sweet Pohaku and Nanea. Love you ALWAYS. "
November 2010
Pohaku and Benny
Pohaku taking care of outreach
Rest in Love sweet girl
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