6/6/2010 Kaena Point

6/5/2010 DB Dailies

The day began with Ewa Girl and pup just exiting the water at Rabbit Island at 0630. Also at 0630 Duke was cruisin' in the grass at the right end of the beach. At 0655 he would move down for the day. All cast remained there all day.

The day got alittle more interesting at 0656 with a call from Dana Jones, reporting 2 animals in Waikiki, near the zoo. When I initially arrived I first checked the Queens area but finding nobody I began moving to the west toward Waikiki. At Kuhio beach, 100 ft west of "The Wall" I found Rocky and Buster together on the beach. Becky Gray was on the scene, as will as many, many people. The cops had put up tape so I just added signs.

At 0953 they entered the water and at 1000 they had exited the pool area through the west exit, swimming to the west not far off shore. We followed and the life guard at tower 2A reported that he'd seen them swim out the channel fronting the Moana Hotel. I was preparing to leave Waikiki when another call came from Dana Jones at 1100, reporting that the cops had called reporting 2 animals hauling out near the Hilton Hawaiian Village. When I arrived at 1129 I found Buster and Rocky once again, this time on a small strip of beach between the Hilton Hawaiian Village and the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor. The cops had taped off the entire beach, so I put up signs and decreased the area of the cordon. I departed at around 1300 when relieved by other volunteers. The was a great response to both the calls, and I want to thank each and every one of you for being there. You know who you are ! Per Dana, Rocky and Buster departed at 1910.

Team Billand reported 4DF in Ewa Beach at 0920.

6/5/2010 Saturday Waikiki Seals

6/4/2010 DB Dailies

From the Makapuu Overview at 0620 I found Ewa Girl and pup (D#10) in the midst of the first of 2 observed swim sessions, off shore of Rabbit Island. They were well off shore , in swimmable water. I also say 3 feeds. They remained at the left end of the island all day.

Also at 0620 I saw what would prove to be Duke, once again, in the grass at the right end of the beach. He would later move down to cool off, and would move out of my line of sight from Makai Pier. I rechecked from the Makapuu Overview during the day, and could see him from that angle.

At 1242, Buster hauled out to the left end of the beach.

At 1308, what must go down as an U/F, with no visible tags, hauled out 100 ft left of 1BS. Buster galumphed over to join her, and interacted on the beach and into the water, hauling out together at 1332, 100 ft left of 1BS, and remained there the rest of the day, moving up with the tide. Though it pains me deeply to have to end the day with an Unknown, I really have no choice, though my Monachus Gene tells me that it might well be Rocky !! Having said that, I can only state that the one and only Rocky marker that I could consistently see was a fishing line scar at the right corner of the mouth. Because the animal was covered in wet sand during the entire observation, and never showed me a left fore flipper I can't honestly say that I saw anything else to support my opinion. Because Team Billand was skunked today, in the W & SW quadrants, they can't even get me outta' this. Rocky was at Hau Bush yesterday, and could easily make the trek, but it's hard to believe that she wouldn't stop by Colleen's house to say Hi! Hopefully, tomorrow is going to provide an answer to this question .

Dana called at 0910 with the report of an animal near Crouching Lion. I never heard anything more about it, but again my Monachus Gene is whispering , R5AY at her usual spot at Kualoa Point.

6/3/2010 Barbara's Newest Fav

I know Barbara would say she doesn't have any favorites.... but I suspect if she did 4DF would be at the top of her list. Barb asked if I could post this picture of this curious, energetic young female.  I have to confess since her tag numbers are my initials... she's become on of my favorites too... One of these days when I am not working I'll have to catch up with Barb and Rob and meet her.   It's okay Barb, I won't tell anyone that 4DF is your newest favorite model.  ~donna~

6/3/2010 DB Dailies

On my first look at Rabbit Island , from the Makapuu Overview at 0650 I found Ewa Girl and pup just hauling out at the end of their first swim session . They would feed and snooze for a while and then do an extended swim session in swimmable water lasting 45 minutes. They hauled out again to the starting location. I also observed 3 feeds today.

Duke was the other RI resident . I found him at 0650 up in the grass at the right end of the beach. He would later move down , and spent the rest of the day there.

Dana Jones called at 0628 with the report of T15M (Sharkbite) in Mokuleia.

Team Billand reported 4DF at the Nimitz cottages at 0802, and called again at 1003 with the report of Rocky at Hau Bush, Ewa Beach. She would depart of her own volition at 1530. 4DF was run off by a kid getting too close at 1720.

Ewa Girl with Pup

4DF

6/3/2010 Rocky's Boy Gets Tagged

T12 Kimo Waha (sounds like a sumo wrestlers name)

Meanwhile Mama getting some rest on Oahu

6/2/2010 DB Dailies

At 0700, from the Makapuu Overview I found Ewa Girl and pup at their usual spot at the left end of the beach on Rabbit Island. While I was there they moved down to do the first of 3 observed swim session, and 4 observed feeds. Today's swims were in swimmable depth water for both of them, but still close to shore. They returned to their starting point after each session.

Also at 0700 I found Duke up in the grass at the right end of the beach. He would move down to cool off at 0930 and remained there the rest of the day.

At 1218 RIP hauled out at the left end, 30 ft right of mom and pup. He would reenter the water at 1259 and haul out again 80 ft right of 3BS at 1317, where he remained the rest of the day.

Team Billand called in early, with the report of Irma still within the signs they had left last night at Wind Sock. She had obviously overnighted.

At 0710 they found 4DF, just beyond the 2nd bunker to the west of Nimitz jetty.

Brenda Becker came through with yesterday's shots on the Rabbit Island mission.

Team Billand checked in on their afternoon check to advise that Irma had departed Wind Sock . They also confirmed that Benny hauled out to the east end fence at White Plains at 1600. As you know he departed Sandy Beach at 1820 last evening. Benny departed White Plains at 1804.

4DF

Ewa Girl and Pup close up

M38 and Duke bark fest

6/2/2010 Barbara and Rob Pics of Benny

Good evening Blong Lady!!
I missed DB's dailys. I was stuck in the heavy traffic, due to a brush fire. So he asked me to send you some pics of good ole Benny.
We discovered he had a new wound on his right face, just below his eye. Maybe he had a fight. I think this is his third injury since February. The kid is busy traveling from Sandys, to Nimitz, back to sandy's and Molokai probably. Doc Littnan should give HIM a transmitter, he'd be great to find out just how many places he visits.

Seal ya,
B
Last photo, its Benny saying his prayers for a safe journey, and then he took off.

Volunteers Rock on Oahu (Memorial Day Weekend)

This note may or may not get posted on the blog, but I wanted you all to know how awesome and fantastic you are for all your help and support over the Holiday weekend. Of course, none of this help would have been as successful without Team Billand out there doing recon and DB holding our hands and answering our "who is it?" questions throughout the whole time.

The volunteers on Oahu are special. They come to the rescue when asked and always with a great attitude and smile. Thanks go out to a very special group. The Aquarium Detail of May 29th. Karen Rother, Jessica Watkins, Heidi Weber, Lesley McPhearson, Tony Querubin and Stacy Stella all pitched in at the last minute to make accommodations ready and in standby mode, just in case we get a visitor. If I left anyone out, then I apologize.

White Plains Detail was in full swing with reports from the front team, also known as Team Billand. FOUR seals showed up today. 4DF, Rocky (she was suppose to go to Colleen's for the day), Irma, and of course Kermit. Fortunately, all four seals were dispersed throughout the coastline just west of White Plains to past the Nimitz Beach Jetty. 4DF left at 12:00Noon sharp and headed out to open water. She's skinny so I guess needs to start eating earlier in the day.

Saturday was also a New Volunteer Training Day and we have a photo of some of this interested and enthusiastic group. Here they have spied iKermit who then did a flip and a flop and headed further West. No doubt scoping for Irma. She was just up the beach.

They are all very stoked about becoming a HMSRTO Volunteer and were very honored to meet Team Billand and another loyal volunteer, Alan Renniger who will be mentoring two of these folks over the Memorial Day Weekend. They also got to see seals which really sealed the deal......OK. Bad pun. We also have a number of other mentors that will be working throughout the weekend with new folks. Jim Brown, Jan & Willie Williamson, Sharon Kokubun, Diane Gabriel and Alan. Again, hope I didn't leave anyone out.

It was a great day and a great way for people to get their feet wet, literally. A classroom on sand. Thank you to everyone that made today happen and I cannot say enough about all the support calls to report information and completion of projects.

Team Billand will be spear heading the White Plains reporting hot line and volunteers dispatched throughout the next two days are ready to go. You all are awesome.

Mahalo,
Dana Jones
Volunteer Coordinator
Oahu

6/1/2010 DB Dailies

At 0658 , from the Makapuu Overview, I found Ewa Girl just moving down to the water line, and turning occasionally to bark at the kid who was well back of her and showing no interest in wanting to follow. After just the right words, he scurried to catch up and both did the first of 2 observed swim sessions. That showing of an independent streak continued throughout the day. When it was time to haul out on each of the swims, the kid had to be spoken to, to get it to catch up and follow, on the haul outs. This was D#7 for the kid. I also observed 3 feeds. The kid had no problem showing up on time for those.

Also at 0658 I found what would prove to be Duke up in the Morning Glory at the right end of the beach. He would later move down to cool off and remained there all day along with a visitor.

At 0848 the surprise arrival of what would turn out to be M38 occurred. He hauled out to Duke's location and after some inititial interaction , finally settled down to snooze mode. They would remain there together for the remainder of the day. It was just on Sunday that Keith Kenyon documented him at Ka'ena Point, and here he is at Rabbit Island today. Amazing !!!

From 0830 until 1130, famed Turtle Dude, George Balazs, famed Monk Seal Dudess, Brenda "Yoda" Becker, along with mere mortal DLNR biologist , Jaap Eizenga made the journey to Rabbit Island. George was looking at turtle nests near 3BS, and Brenda was looking at the Monk Seal cast. She confirmed all the above mention Monk Seal cast. She was hoping to be able to sex the kid but she wasn't able to do that. Actually, I stoked about that. I always love that magical moment when you can finally see ( not see) that little black spot, where a little black spot oughta' be.

Team Billand was on it, in the SW quadrant, as usual. They had seen Irma foraging from 1050, but at 1130 she hauled out to the Wind Sock reef. At that time they could also see another animal foraging off shore. At 1229 they found 4DF hauled out to the west of the bunkers on the west side of the Nimitz jetty. Barbara called at 1640 to advise that 4DF had departed at 1502, and Irma had relocated of the Wind Sock reef, to the beach.

A 1630 call from Tracy, who is on Kauai to tag Rocky's son, brought news that said son is RT12&13. I had decided that I had no right to name a Kauai pup, even though it's Rocky. I was advised that have called to boy Kimo Waha !!! Damn..... I don't know if I have the courage to tell Rocky that or not ????

At 1814 a call came from an anonymous posse member reporting an animal just hauling out at the east end of Sandy Beach. When I arrived at 1819 I found Benny (of course). There were people, but none particularly close, as I began to put up the cordon . With all signs in, I began to string the rope, and the antsy little dude galumphed into the water and departed at 1822. I hung around until 1900, and called it a day. I can't prove it but since the boy was last seen right there in the same spot , four days ago (5-28-10), I'd put my dollar on a routine , 2 day visit to Molokai, with a travel day each way.

I was hoping to have Brenda's shots for you, from today's mission, but apparently that will not be the case. Maybe tomorrow ?

6/1/2010

Benny

4DF

Irma