2/8/2010 Barb Hikes Out to Ka'ena Point

Ka'ena

Kerby

2/7/2010 Monk Moment

Oh Blog Lady,

Volunteers: DO NOT Attempt this Stunt!! Unless of course you know a great chiropractor and have a snorkel tube!!   Leave this kind of stunt to the professionals...

Monk

A08

2/7/2010 DB Dailies

Despite working a routine 0600 to 1500 day, the SE quadrant was Monk Seal free today. They only activity on Rabbit Island this day was two idiots who landed at 2BS at 0854. They were met by DOCARE Officer John Silberstein upon their return to Waimanalo.

John Johnson called at 0901 to advise that Toni Russ had sent out an email about an animal at Ewa Beach. I had not been aware of the email, so I called Team Billand and they responded, confirming that Rocky was the animal at 1020.

Team Billand also reported Kermit at Nimitz Beach at 1020, and followed that with a call at 1137 reporting R018 at Makaha with turtle friends, and last but not least Benny at Maili Point at 1743.

Keith Kenyon did the Ka'ena Pt. trek and brought back shots of chubby BG, and Ka'ena at the end of the world.

BG

Ka'ena

2/7/2010 (cont)

Benny

Kermit

Rocky

R018 with friend

2/6/2010 DB Dailies

The first order of business was to check Sandy Beach at 0600. Benny was no longer there so I picked up the signs and continued on.

At 0721 I found Kolohe just hauling out on Rabbit Island, 40 ft left of 1BS. He would initially move up behind the Morning Glory, but would move down again to cool off later on, allowing the ID. At 1226 he was joined by Sadie. There was almost no interaction at all. Both remained there the rest of the day.

At 1132 Duke hauled out 60 ft right of 3BS. He would remain there the rest of the day.

At 1500 I got a "dead seal call" from D. Schofield, said to be 1/2 mile east of Sandy Beach, near "the black wall". I spoke with the caller and narrowed the location down to east of the AD's (Allen Davis Estate) wall. At 1511 , I'm oh so happy to report I found a very dead SHARK !! I notified NOAA personnel, and the caller of my find.

Kolohe & Sadie

Kolohe

Duke

ewwwwww  thank goodness its not a seal

2/5/2010 DB Dailies

My first pass through the SE quadrant was a bust, however , when I got back to Makai Pier at 0942 I found Kolohe just hauling out to the left of 1BS on Rabbit Island. When I got back to the pier after a Sandy Beach run, I found that Sadie was now there at the left end and Kolohe was just moving down to join her. There was some minimal interaction and both spent the day together near the water line.

The Sandy Beach run came as a result of posse member Billy, a Sandy Beach lifeguard, calling at 1054 reporting an animal just hauling out at the Half Point rocks. When I arrived at 1104 I found Benny waiting for me. I got him cordoned off and he has spent the rest of the day there. I'll be returning to Sandy Beach shortly. The Benny story gets "curiouser" . Our boy Benny had last been seen at Kermit's Reef in the SW quadrant on 1-30-10. As I was beginning to type up these dailies, I got mail from Val, on Molokai, reporting Benny amongst the animals they had seen on their trek. I had not as yet had the time to check the date for the trek. Tracy then called at that exact moment asking if I'd seen Val's mail. I said yes, but at that exact moment I was stressin' because I thought Val and I had both seen Benny TODAY !! Thankfully, Tracy calmed me down and said that the trek report was from YESTERDAY !!! Interestly enough, when I saw Benny today I had the consious thought that either this guy is on his way to Molokai, or just comin' back. Looks like BACK is the answer. Thank you valiant trekkers !!!

I have one other little factoid for today's news. As regular readers will know, Right Spot has now been MIA at Sandy Beach for 5 days. When I called Tracy to tell her about Benny's arrival she passed on the news that a probable Right Spot was at the Turtle Bay hotel, about 1/4 mile south of the hotel. There is not one shred of scientific proof of the ID yet. but there is no doubt in my little, bald mind that it's her. I know exactly where that location is and I know that it is the epicenter of Right Spots' world. I think the girl has finally returned home !!!!! I'll whisper the news to Benny when I go back down to Sandy Beach.

Benny remained at Sandy Beach when I picked up the rope at 1915.

2/5/2010 Monk Moment

Aloha Blog Lady,

Well I don't really have any words of wisdom today. However, I did want to share a couple photos of the Molokai team. Val and Diane took some rookies to Laau Pt yesterday. The group included me of course, Julie, Christine, Greg and David Schofield from NOAA. It was indeed another great monk seal adventure. Val did mention something to David about me getting "tagged" whatever that means....maybe a trip to Oahu to see the big city lights! Maybe the next time you see me I will have some "bling". Be sure to stay tuned.

as always,

Monk

2/4/2010 Star Bulletin Article on KP2

http://www.starbulletin.com/columnists/20100204_Monk_seal_KP2_is_well_but_no_eye_surgery_yet.html

Thank you Stacey for sending this link. So folks this was in the Star Bulletin about KP2... pretty much information we already know... but wanted to share since any news about him is welcomed.
donna

2/4/2010 DB Dailies

I got no other info from any other quadrant today, so the Rabbit Island gang was the whole story. At 0717 on my first look at Rabbit Island I found M38 right where I'd left him yesterday, drapped across the log at the left end of the beach, 80 ft left of 1BS. Sadie was also at that end, tucked into the base of the cliff, 40 ft left of 1BS. At the right end of the beach, up in the grass was Buster.

When I got back to Makai Pier at 0856 I found that Mojo and Kolohe were now on the beach together, fronting 1BS.

At 1137 Duke hauled out to the right end of the beach, just as Buster was moving down. There was only minimal interaction.

Today marked a first in the short term history of our girl Right Spot. She was a no show for the 4th consecutive day at Sandy Beach, or anywhere else that I know off. We'll just have to wait and see what her new plan might be.

Buster & Duke

M38 &  Sadie

Mojo & Kolohe

2/3/2010 DB Dailies

The cold , North wind and the resultant heat wave distortion made Rabbit Island observations a challenge, but I could still confirm a cast of Sadie at 1BS, and Mikala at the right end of the beach to begin the day at 0905. M38 came along at 0940 to spend the day with Sadie. He was being his usual ol' self, hounding her unrelentingly all the way back down to the water line, but he never got her in the water. All three would remain there all day.

I got a call from a lady in Makaha about an animal there, and advised Tracy, who advised Dana Jone, who made the trip and reported R018 at 0842.

At 1333 I got email from Tracy saying that Jim Brown had confirmed Rocky at Nimitz Beach between the two bunkers.

M38 & Sadie

Mikala

R018 @ Makaha

2/2/2010 DB Daily

I'm sure we all experienced the same rainy Hawaiian day today. I was experiencing it from the lanai at Makai Pier, at least for a while. All the SE quadrant spots were a bust today except Rabbit Island. There I found RIP and Kolohe , close together tucked into the notch between the Naupaka greeneries, to the right of 1BS. RIP would move down briefly allowing me to see his dorsal transmitter scar, and when he moved back up he gave Kolohe a nuisance nudge, which allowed me to see Kolohe's right side natural bleach.

Continuing rain, and zero to poor visibility made it necessary to take a break at 1230, but I was back at the pier at 1440 once the conditions improved a bit. When I peered into the scope I immediately saw that RIP was now fronting 1BS, and he was busily climbing all over Sadie, while Kolohe remained at the greenery notch. Being the highly paid professional that I am I immediately reached for my camera to get the great interaction shots of RIP and Sadie, only to find that the highly paid professional left the camera battery in the charger at home !!!! I actually even when back to the house , grabbed the battery and returned but by then Sadie had assumed her usual position up behind the Morning Glory to the left of 1BS and was just barely visible. On top of that it started to rain again. I give up already !

Back On-Line

Aloha Good People!  Yes I am back... There was alot of stuff that got posted today so make sure you catch up. For our Hawaii Volunteers... if you have the time you might want to go by the state house ... there will be a press conference and a new bill that is there to protect our beloved monk seals....

Check it out.
donna

2/1/2010 DB Daily

The first order of business was to check Sandy Beach at 0600. Right Spot was gone, so I picked up the signs and continued on.

My first pass through the SE quadrant was a bust until I got to Spitting Cave. There I found Kolohe doing 6 minute dives. It was a washing machine there, but he seemed to be a happy little dude getting sloshed around next to the big rock. His right side natural bleach and his dorsal epoxy patch were clearly visible.

I got back to Makai Pier at 0900, and at 0936 RIP hauled out to the left end of the beach where he remained all day. At 0938, what would prove to be Sadie, hauled out fronting 1BS. There is no doubt in my little , bald mind that she is definitely yesterday's U/F It took many hours but she finally gave me a look at her left side N20 bleach. It is very difficult to see. She would remain there all day.

At 1017 what would prove to be Mikala hauled out at the right end of the beach, but spent the entire day only partially visible behind some rocks. Finally, at 1506 after relocating to Kaupo Beach Park, I got a decent look at her, and saw her left side N20 bleach.

Barbara Billand and Pup made the Ka'ena Point trek today. They found Ka'ena and Sharkbite (T15M). T15M had last been seen , at KP but Brenda Sparks in 10-09.

Barbara called at 1027 to say that she'd gotten a call from one of her posse members reporting Ewa Girl at Palm Grove, Campbell Industrial Park.

RIP

Sadie

Kolohe @spitting cave

2/1/2010 Ka'ena point (Ka'ena and Sharkbite)

Legislative Initiatives & Press Conference Tuesday Feb 2nd

Press Conference 
February 2, 2010 @1:00pm
Hawaii State Capitol Rotunda
(near the statue of Queen Liliuokalani)

Senate Joint Committee Hearing
Energy & Environment
Water, Land, Agriculture & Hawaiian Affairs
Senate Bill 2441 Endangered Species; Felony; Private Right of Action
February 2, 2010 @ 2:45
Senate Conference Room 225
 

FOUR HAWAIIAN MONK SEAL LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES

January – April 2010

1. Increase Penalties – All Endangered Species

Currently, under state law, it is only a misdemeanor to intentionally kill/harm an endangered species. Given the three recent seal shootings, increasing the state penalties to a class C felony is a needed deterrent for future endangered species killings.

Senate Bill 2441 All endangered species felony

Endangered Species; Felony; Private Right of Action

Introducer: Sen HOOSER Staff Contact: Carl Miura

Office: 586-6188 Email: miura@capitol.hawaii.gov

House Bill 2767 All endangered species felony

All Endangered Species; Felony; Private Right of Action

Introducer: Rep LEE Staff Contact: Maika

Office: 586-9450 Email: repclee@capitol.hawaii.gov

2. Increase Penalties - Hawaiian monk seal only

Same as above initiative, but applies specifically to the Hawaiian monk seal.

Senate Bill 2412 Hawaiian monk seal felony

Hawaiian Monk Seal; Felony; Private Right of Action

Introducer: Sen HOOSER Staff Contact: Carl Miura

Office: 586-6188 Email: miura@capitol.hawaii.gov

House Bill 2235 Hawaiian monk seal felony

Hawaiian Monk Seal; Felony; Private Right of Action

Introducer: Rep MORITA Staff Contact: Darcy

Office: 586-8435 Email: repmorita@capitol.hawaii.gov

3. PSA on Incoming Flights

Directs airlines to play a PSA that highlights Hawaii’s unique ecosystem and features the Hawaiian monk seal, our critically endangered state mammal. Outreach and education to residents and visitors is essential to preserve Hawaii’s fragile environment.

Senate Bill 2362 Airline PSA

Conservation Outreach; Hawaiian Monk Seals; Airline Public Service Announcements

Introducer: Sen GABBARD Staff contact: Rock Riggs

Office: 586-6830 Email: r.riggs@capitol.hawaii.gov

House Bill 2135 Airline PSA

Conservation Outreach; Hawaiian Monk Seals; Airline Public Service Announcements

Introducer: Rep COFFMAN Staff contact: David Fanelli

Office: 586-9605 Email: coffman2@capitol.hawaii.gov

4. Endangered Species Kiosks

Establishes an outreach kiosk at each airport with information on the State's unique ecosystem and how to protect it. Features the Hawaiian monk seal, our critically endangered state mammal and other endangered species. Outreach and education to residents and visitors is essential to preserve Hawaii’s fragile environment.

Senate Bill 2363 Airport Kiosks

Conservation Outreach; Hawaiian Monk Seal; Airports

Introducer: Sen GABBARD Staff contact: Rock Riggs

Office: 586-6830 Email: r.riggs@capitol.hawaii.gov

House Bill 2113 Airport Kiosks

Conservation Outreach; Hawaiian Monk Seal; Airports

Introducer: Rep MORITA Staff Contact: Darcy

Office: 586-8435 Email: repmorita@capitol.hawaii.gov

1/31/2010 Monk Moment

Aloha Blog Lady,

Well, the Seal Team here on Molokai has been busy! They, (with the help of the Seal Whisperer) have finally after 4 treks identified a "Mystery Seal." Our mystery seal is none other than 4DJ aka T21M. This guy is in the process of molting and that's why it's taken a little longer to get him identified. This seal is believed to be at least 27 years old....wow, that's alot of seal years. There has been no record of him here on Molokai since 2006. He seems to often just drop of the radar only to resurface at a later time. Gotta tell ya, these monk seal relatives of mine are simply amazing....

till next time,

Monk

1/31/2010 DB Dailies

On my first pass through Sandy Beach at 0600, the beach was bare, however on the 2nd pass at 0705 Right Spot had arrived. Marilyn did multiple checks throughout the day. Right Spot has remained there all day. I'll return at dusk.

When I got back to Rabbit Island at 0728 I found RIP at 1BS, and Buster up in the Morning Glory right of 3BS. At 0949 Mikala would haul out to join Buster, and at 1007 an U/F with red tags hauled out to join RIP. Though the U/F may well have been Sadie, I did not see the N20 bleach, and the color didn't seem right so I'll go with an U/F call for today .

At 1235 Duke briefly hauled out to 3BS. I had noticed a bit earlier that Buster was no longer visible, and Duke and I both discovered that Buster was now in the shallows just left of Duke's location. He immediately reentered the water and a play session ensued. They ranged all the way down to the far left end of the island. At 1303 Buster and Duke hauled out briefly at RIP's location. He wasn't all that happy about that, and the boys immediately reentered the water. I lost them in the white water at the left end. Duke hauled out by himself at the far left end at 1409. I did not see Buster again today.

Team Billand called at 0853 with the report of Kermit at White Plains, and then reported Irma at Wind Sock, Kalaeloa Beach at 1009. At 1258 they reported RI37 at Electric Beach, Kahe Power Plant.

Posse member Susan called at 1328 to report Ka'ena at Ka'ena Point, and posse member Keith sent confirming shots of Ka'ena at the end of the world today.

I picked up Right Spot's rope at 1930 and left the signs. She was still snoozin'

Duke

RIP, U/F, Duke & Buster

Right Spot @ Sandy Beach

1/31/2010 Ka'ena @ Ka'ena Point