DB Post Monday April 14th

Benny@Pray For Sex, Kermit@ White Plains, BG & R038@ Ka'ena Point, et.al, , 4-14-08
The Rabbit Island gang included M38, Sadie , and R301. Buster was doing 6 minute dives at Spitting Cave.

The Billands found Benny , once again, at the Pray For Sex end of Makua Beach on the westside.

The White Plains lifeguards reported Kermit on the beach there, and a beach user reported to them that there was another animal further down the beach beyond the campgrounds. My guess would be Irma, but I have no confirmation of any ID.

Tracy called in the afternoon after a trip to Ka'ena Point. She had seen T15M there, and had also seen and bleached BG, and RO38. BG got an "N1" on the right mid body, and a partial girdle, and RO38 got an "N17" on the right side, mid body. Aloha, DB

Hawaiian Monk Seal day Proclamation

Looks Good, But this only applies to this years annual Hawaiian Monk Seal Count.
Aloha Good People: Please click on the image to read this proclamation signed by the governor! One small step.... at a time.

DB Post Sunday April 13th

Irma@White Plains, Kermit@ Kalaeloa Beach, T15M & Benny@Pray For Sex (Makua Beach), et.al., 4-13-08

Buster and little sister Sadie, had Rabbit Island all to themselves today.

The Billands had a productive day. Barbara called at 1120 to report that T15M, and Benny were at th Pray For Sex end of Makua Beach on the west side.

They called again at 1543 to report that they'd found Kermit near the Wind Sock on Kalaeloa Beach.

White Plains lifeguards reported that Irma hauled out there at 1524.

DB Post Saturday April 12th

Rocky&RIP@Hanauma Bay, Irma@Ewa Beach, et.al., 4-12-08
The Rabbit Island cast was RB08, Buster & Sadie.

Rocky and RIP once again hauled out to the left side rock flats at Hanauma Bay.

Mary Frances called from Ewa Beach this morning to report that Irma had hauled out around 0830 behind her house. Mary Jay called later to say that she was still there in the afternoon. She had departed Waikiki last night at 1842, and arrived in Ewa Beach at 0830 in the morning.

DB Post Friday April 11th

Rocky&R301@Spitting Cave, Rocky&RIP@Hanauma Bay, Irma@ Waikiki, et.al., 4-11-08
The Rabbit Island cast was M38 and Buster.

Rocky and R301 were at Spitting Cave, but Rocky departed at 0916. R301 was still there when I departed at 1000.

Later in the day Rocky showed up at Hanauma Bay along with RIP. Tracy came out and got an N1 bleach on RIP's right side, mid body.

Irma was in Waikiki today. She hauled out around 1030 and remained until 1842 this evening.

The Billands reported R302 (aka Yoda/Temp 406) at the Kalaeloa campgrounds, and confirmed a report from the White Plains lifeguards of Kermit at White Plains.

Tracy also received a call about Ewa Girl having been seen in the water off the Reef Runway on Wednesday, 4-9-08.

DB Post Thursday April 10th

Sadie, Mojo & R301@ Rabbit Island

Sadie, Mojo and R301 were the only critters in my life today. I was especially glad to see Sadie since today is her 1st Birthday... Happy Birthday Sadie !!! Aloha, DB

(Sadie sadie beautiful lady! Happy Birthday little muffin)

SEAL WATCH ZONE MAP

Aloha All Volunteers Seal Count Participants !!!

Use this link to pull up a detailed map of ZONES we will be covering:
http://onuma.com/short.php?s=r1a3caki

You can zoom in on to the Zone you are covering.... If needed you can also print that section of the map.

Good luck and have fun!

Mammal vs. Marine Mammal

The issue of defining the Hawaiian Monk Seal as a mammal came up for debate this afternoon at the state house. Kudos to Gerry for hanging in there and ultimately reminding them the bigger picture here was not the definition but either way the species is in trouble and if something doesn't happen soon, well they won't be around to debate...

This prompted me to look a little closer... and Gerry I would love to know which "web sites" this woman kept referring to in which science defines them as marine mammals and not a mammal...
So I went to the Wikipedia and there are approximately 5,400 species that fall under the definition of mammal... Here's the definition from Wikipedia: "Mammals (class Mammalia) are vertebrate animals characterized by the presence of sweat glands, including milk producing sweat glands, and by the presence of: hair, three middle ear bones used in hearing, and a neocortex region in the brain. Also all mammals, other than the monotremes, give birth to live young instead of laying eggs. Most mammals also possess specialized teeth and use a placenta in the ontogeny. The mammalian brain regulates endothermic and circulatory systems, including a four-chambered heart. Mammals encompass approximately 5,400 species, ranging in size from the Bumblebee Bat, (30-40mm), to the Blue Whale, (33,000mm), distributed in about 1,200 genera, 153 families, and 29 orders,[1] though this varies by classification scheme."

My next look was the definition of marine mammal which for all purposes is a sub-category... basically it says; "Marine mammals are a diverse group of roughly 120 species of mammal that are primarily ocean-dwelling or depend on the ocean for food."

My motivation to post this information is for two reasons.... One to let most of you know the silliness that comes up when good people take time out of their busy lives to do something for the greater good.... AND secondly if any of our friends at the state house come by they can feel free to comment and open the subject up for debate.

Please anyone feel free to comment....

As a side note: a special thank you to Georgette and Gerry for running around the state house with me this afternoon trying to maintain the support for passing the Hawaiian Monk Seal as the State MAMMAL and designating the 3rd Saturday in April as Hawaiian Monk Seal Day.

DB Post Wednesday April 9th

Irma@Irma's, et.al., 4-9-08
It was a great day to be a Monk Seal, not so great to be a short,fat,bald,wet guy out there with them. The Rabbit Island cast was Mojo, R301 and RIP. Irma was waiting for me at Irma's (The beach at the Kealahou traffic light, just Makapuu side of Sandy Beach), at 0608 this morning. She was still there when I departed at 1930. Aloha, DB

Proposed New Bill

Aloha Good People!

Here is a draft of a "new" bill that basically combines both the State Mammal & Day Designation into one. We think by making this change and having it in front of the conference committee we have a good chance of getting this through sooner than 2025! Please feel free and comment we are looking for feed back.

A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to the HAWAIIAN MONK SEAL:

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi) is the only marine mammal whose entire species range lies within the United States. It is one of only two endemic mammals found in Hawaii.

On November 23, 1976, it was listed as an endangered species pursuant to the Endangered Species Act and it remains listed as endangered today. The population of the Hawaiian monk seal has been in a twenty-year constant decline and today there are approximately only twelve hundred remaining. The majority of this population is in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, while there are an estimated eighty individuals living in the main Hawaiian Islands.

In 1979, the legislature designated the humpback whale as the official marine mammal of the State. Part of the purpose for doing so was to increase awareness about the humpback whale, which was on the brink of extinction in the sixties. As a result of an increase in awareness regarding the humpback whale, its numbers have markedly increased. A purpose in designating the Hawaiian monk seal as the official state mammal is to raise awareness of it as an endangered species with the hope that this awareness will, like the humpback whale, result in increased protection and its repopulation.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries issued its Recovery Plan for the Hawaiian Monk Seal in 2007. The plan outlines strategies for the recovery of the species and includes an increase in outreach and education to develop a culture of co-existence between humans and seals in the main Hawaiian Islands.

The purpose of this Act is to recognize the importance and uniqueness of the Hawaiian monk seal to the Hawaiian Islands by establishing and designating the Hawaiian monk seal as the official state mammal, and establishing and designating an annual Hawaiian monk seal day to promote outreach and educational programs regarding the endangered Hawaiian monk seal.

SECTION 2. Chapter 5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§5‑ State mammal. The Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi) is established and designated as the official mammal of the State."

SECTION 3. Chapter 8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§8‑ Hawaiian monk seal day. The third Saturday of April in each year shall be known and recognized as "Hawaiian Monk Seal Day"; provided that this day is not and shall not be construed to be a state holiday."

SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.


INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________




INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________

DB Post Tuesday April 8th

Buster@Spitting Cave, Sadie@Blowhole, et.al., 4-8-08
The Rabbit Island cast was da' bradda's , RIP and Mojo (Irma's boys), joined by R301, all in a little group .

Buster was doing 7 minute dives at Spitting Cave today, and Trolley driver, Derek reported an animal at Blowhole. When I arrived I found Sadie doing 7 minute dives. She was still there on an afternoon check. Aloha, DB

DB Post Monday April 7th

A Rabbit Island Kinda' Day, 4-7-08 / 4-6-08 Ka'ena Point Adventure
Rabbit Island was the whole show for me today. The cast was RB08, RIP , Buster , R301 and M&M.

Posse members Karen Harris and Mary Wads made the trek to Ka'ena Point on Sunday, and found a bumper crop of critters. They found Ka'ena (one of Irma's boys), BG , a young female, another new female, RO38, and adult males T15M, 2AU and R018. Aloha, DB

DB Post Sunday April 6th

Irma@ Sandy Beach, et.al., 4-6-08
The Rabbit Island cast was Buster, RIP, M&M, and Sadie. Irma made an 1119 entrance to the main beach at Sandy Beach. Ka'ena Point news is that there where 5 animals there today, but I've received no confirmation at this writing. Aloha, DB

DB Post Saturday April 5th

RIP, Rocky & Buster @ Spitting Cave, M&M@ Rabbit Island,et.al., 4-5-08
M&M had Rabbit Island all to herself today. The rest of the gang, or some of it at least was at Spitting Cave today. RIP was there alone this morning, and when I went back for an afternoon check, I found Rocky ,and Buster frolicking and wrestling.

Tracy reported a possible Right Spot right in the middle of a surf contest at Sunset Beach today, but I have no confirmation photos at this time. Tracy also said there was an U/U, fat animal reported in the Mokuleia area. Aloha, DB

DB Post Friday April 4th

RIP, Sadie & R301 (akaTemp403)@ Spitting Cave, Kermit@ White Plains,, et.al.
Rabbit Island was bare, except for a few zillion birds, until I got back there at 1530 and found my fat girl, M&M.

On a trip to the SW quadrant I found Kermit at White Plains.

The real fun of the day was finding my first born, RIP, along with Sadie and R301 (aka Temp403) all at Spitting Cave. This sighting was especially significant because it marks the furthest travel for little Sadie , the little 11 month old female born on Rabbit Island. She has become a regular at Blowhole, and has been documented at Lanai Lookout, but this Spitting Cave sighting is a first. Aloha, DB

Donations - Marine Mammal Center

I added a link to the Marine Mammal Center in California. This group does a lot of work in helping marine mammals. They have graciously agreed to accept donations that will go directly to the Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery....

We (volunteers) are often asked where and how can people contribute.... well for the time being this is our best means. Please if you know any one or organization that is interested send them to the following links.... or let me know if you need more information.

I look forward to a time when we can do a big fund raiser....

http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/learning/comm/monksealrecovery.asp

MAKE SURE YOU CHECK THE BOX FOR THE HAWAIIAN MONK SEAL!

https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=4724

One step at a time and we can make a difference!

Chester the Celebrity

Aloha good people;

I was organizing some of the information I have on my computer and looking for all my Chester related stories.... this prompted me to take a look on the web.... I was surprised to see all of the following links by searching "Chester Monk Seal". I thought I would share them with you and certainly feel free to comment on any of the stories covered.

The following links are the most recent in regards to Chester's passing:
http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/5114/40/
http://www.kitv.com/news/15729005/detail.html
http://news.aol.com/story/_a/seal-that-frequented-windward-oahu-beach/n20080328005709990004
http://www.topix.net/content/ap/2008/03/seal-that-frequented-windward-oahu-beach-found-dead-2
http://www.khon2.com/news/local/17077296.html


The following links are stories from Chester's January Molt on Kailua Beach:
http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/3339/40/
http://notes.sej.org/sej/enews.nsf/47ad8bb53c917e7286256e7a001629b2/7990B321399C86B28625741300649346
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2008/Jan/26/ln/hawaii801260345.html
http://www.kitv.com/video_legacy/15090084/index.html
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2008/Jan/16/ln/hawaii801160401.html
http://www.hawaiianstylemagazine.com/article/articles/179/1/Aloha-Meet-Chester---A-Hawaiian-Monk-Seal-and-Ambassador-of-Good-Will/Page1.htmlhttp://www.kampkrug.com/2008/01/17/molting-monk-seal-visits-our-beach/#comments

And lastly these links popped up and are mostly informational or pertain to the recent activity for lobbying a State Mammal and Hawaiian Monk Seal Day.
http://www.netstate.com/states/chronicle/hi_articles.htm
http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/3939/40/
http://starbulletin.com/2008/03/05/news/story05.html
http://www.friendsofhanaumabay.org/monk.html
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2008/Feb/02/ln/hawaii802020350.html

All in all in a very short period of time Chester generated a lot of press.... but we all know behing these stories are many many people with huge hearts and dedication and each and everyone has their story to tell.

We must continue....

RIP Turns 5

RIP (Rabbit Island Pup) is an adult! How nice to be celebrating a milestone! Look out ladies, there's another guy in town.... looking to make some ripettes.

DB Post Thursday April 3rd

Irma@Sandy Beach, Kermit @ White Plain, & Happy Birthday RIP !!!
Irma hauled out at the far east end of Sandy Beach at 0740 this morning. I'll be going back at dusk to check her. The White Plains lifeguards reported Kermit on their beach.

The really big news, however, is the fact that my #1 son, RIP (The original Rabbit Island Pup) becomes a MAN today. He is 5 years old today !!! Aloha, DB

In case you missed DB on KHNL

"The one thing that I know about monk seals is, I don't know anything about monk seals, and the more I know, the less I know," said volunteer DB Dunlap.

"Every time you go out on one of the monk seal hotline calls, it's just this fascinating little thing, to figure out who it is your gonna see," DB Said.

For the complete story aired on KHNL go to:

http://www.khnl.com/Global/story.asp?S=8109925

DB Post Wednesday April 2nd

Irma@ Kokee, R301@Spitting Cave, KC@Mokuleia, et.al., 4-2-08

The Rabbit Island cast was RB08, Sadie and RIP. Irma was on the rock flats at Kokee (Maunalua Bay),and R301 (Temp 403 has a new permanent ID number). Tracy advised that KC was Mokuleia today. Aloha, DB

DB Post Tuesday April 1st

RIP@Spitting Cave, Kermit@White Plains

I found RIP at Spitting Cave but he was in travel mode and only came up the one time.

White Plains lifeguards reported Kermit in front the the 1st cottage past the LG Stand.

The Rabbit Island cast was just the girls, Sadie & RB08. Aloha, DB