DB Post Sunday July 20th

Kerby,Hoku,Kolohe,RIP,EG,Buster,R301,Sadie&M&M@RI, 7-20-08
It was yet another 9 critter day on Rabbit Island. The Weaners were all there , of course, along with the older males, RIP, R301 and Buster. The females were Sadie, Ewa Girl, and to my shock and awe, what I believe to be M&M. The M&M sighting is significant because it means she has weaned her pup at La'au Point on Molokai. Hopefully, Tracy will be able to get that info tomorrow. I'm as sure as I can be at 8/10th of a mile, that I was looking at M&M's distinctive belly. Aloha, DB

My Thoughts Are With You

To all the Honu Guardian Volunteers, please know there are many many of us who feel for you during this time. As a volunteer we look after these creatures to protect them and to educate the public in the importance of their place here on this planet. I imagine the saddness of your loss goes beyond losing a such a special animal.... but the harshness in which this has happened.

Times like this it is important we remember to stay focused and not let something so awful get in the way of all the hard work. I wish there was more I could say or do.... just know my heart aches with you.

(Volunteer Dana commented on the post from Friday... please check)

DB Post Saturday July 19th

Kerby,Hoku,Kolohe,RIP,Ewa Girl, RB08@RI, Irma@Irma's, 7-19-08
One week ago today, I found Irma at SC, and then she just dropped off the map, until today. I found her at Irma's at 0612, and she remained there until 1112. Fortunately, "Mrs. Whisperer" was there to observe Irma's departure. A mid day departure is odd for Irma, so after picking up the stuff, I checked and rechecked the Irma's/ Sandy Beach areas, but did not find Irma again. I have no clue what her plan might be.

The Rabbit Island cast was basically what it has been all week. Ewa Girl and RIP were once again at 2BS, Kerby at the far left end, the little female RB08 also toward the left end, with Hoku at Left Greenery (LG). Kolohe was at the 3rd Blue Sign (3BS), all day. There was no observed interactions between anybody today. Aloha, DB

DB Post Friday July 18th

Kerby,Hoku,Kolohe,R301,RIP,Ewa Girl,Sadie@RI, 7-18-08
Despite the windy, overcast, rough water conditions, the RI cast had a perfect Monk Seal day; to just snooze on the beach at RI. Ewa Girl and RIP were once again at the 2nd Blue Sign (2BS). Kerby hauled out to the 1BS, Kolohe to the right end of the beach, and Hoku at the Left Greenery (LG). R301, a subadult male, would haul out to check in with each of them through the day, and RIP also stopped by, Kolohe and Hoku. Sadie had the 3rd Blue Sign (3BS) all to herself. Aloha, DB

DB Post Thursday July 17th

Kerby,Hoku,Kolohe,R301,RB08,Ewa Girl&RIP@RI, Rocky@DH, 7-17-08
Despite having most of the usual cast at RI today, there was little to no interaction. Everybody just snoozed. Ewa Girl and RIP were once again together at 2BS, but RIP maintains a respectful 15 to 20 foot distance. EG is due to molt the first week of next month so this may be the beginning of that behavior. We shall see.

Kerby spent the day by himself out on the left end rock flats, and RB08 remained by herself on the left end of beach. R301 and Kolohe were together at 1BS, but other than a cursory nuzzle when R301 hauled out to join him , there was no interaction . Hoku also spent the day by himself, hauling out to Left Greenery (LG). Mostly he snoozed but did spend sometime playing with a plastic bottle, which he fortunately couldn't get his mouth around.

Colleen Heyer call with the 1500 "Rocky Arrival" report from DH. Aloha, DB

DB Post Wednesday July 16th

Kerby,Hoku,Kolohe,R301,Sadie,RB08,Ewa Girl, RIP, Buster @RI, Ka'ena & BG@KP, 7-16-08
Though it's happened a time or two before, today ties the RI record for animals, at nine. Hoku,Kolohe, and R301 spent the day at the left end of the island, and Buster and RB08 were together at Left Greenery. The highlight of the day was finding Ewa Girl , and RIP at 2BS. Except for birthing she doesn't stop by RI much. Whether this is the beginning of her molting behavior or not, remains to be seen. Sadie spent the day at 3BS, and Kerby began his day at the extreme right end of the island , ended up hauling out to the left end flats where he nosed around in the holes looking for small finds to either eat or play with.

Ace posse member, Karen Harris , did the Ka'ena Point trek today and came thru with the news of Ka'ena and a young female, called BG (Benny's Girl) out that way. Aloha, DB

DB Post Tuesday July 15th

Kerby,Hoku,Kolohe,R301,Buster,RB08&Sadie@RI, Rocky@DH, 7-15-08
As is usually the case with overcast days, there was very little action on RI today. Kerby spent to day on the left end rock flats, and did nothing but move up with the tide. R301 and Hoku spent the day together, and when R301 moved right to join the little female , RB08 at LG, Hoku followed right behind. Buster would haul out to join them later in the day. Sadie spent the day at 3BS, all by herself. On a pan at 1237 Sadie had departed. I did not see her again. Other than minimal reactions when Buster hauled out to the others, the only movement was rising tide related.

Rachel called to report that Rocky had hauled out at DH around 1500. Aloha, DB

DB Post Monday July 14th

Kerby,Hoku,Kolohe,Buster,R301&Sadie@RI, Ewa Girl@HB, Rocky@DH, 7-14-08
It was another active day with all 3 of the boys, Kerby, Hoku and Kolohe, and Buster and R301, older males, were playing with them . R301 stuck to Kerby, and Buster was back and forth a couple of times with both Hoku and Kolohe. Buster also tried to get to Kerby, but R301 cut off his access. Buster just turned around and went back to the other two guys. Sadie was smart enough to stay out of the way down at 3BS.

I found Ewa Girl for the 3rd consecutive day at Hanauma Bay.

At 1308 Colleen Heyer, and then Lori Lee called ot report Rocky at Diamond Head. Colleen put up signs. Aloha, DB

DB Post Sunday July 13th

Kerby,Hoku,Kolohe,RIP,Buster,R301&Sadie@RI, Ewa Girl@HB, 7-13-08
Ewa Girl was still at Hanauma Bay this morning. By location I'd say that she overnighted, which is not surprising after a long absence.

The Rabbit Island cast was once again in nearly constant action. The kids, Kerby,Hoku and Kolohe were all present, and all dealt with the old guys, RIP, Buster and R301, in nearly every possible combination. Sadie stayed out of the way at the right end of the island, and even she had RIP at her side for a while. All of the action was at the left end of the island. Aloha, DB

DB Post Saturday July 12th

Kerby,Hoku,Kolohe,Sadie,RIP&Buster@RI,Irma@SC,EG@HB & Rocky@DH,7-12-08
It was a busy little day in DB's World. The day began with the return of Ewa Girl to Hanauma Bay. She'd last been there on 6-20-08, and I'd last sighted her at Rabbit Island on 6-22-08. She appears fat and happy, and has put on weight, in preparation for her molt.

Next , I found Irma doing 7 minute dives at Spitting Cave. When she showed up at Diamond Head yesterday I knew she'd be around here somewhere, and just to prove that Murphy's Law works in the Monk Seal world too, she was , of course, in the last place I looked on the morning checks, after humping down to Toilet Bowl and Kokee.

The Rabbit Island cast was for the most part hyperactive today. Sadie and Kerby had a cruise day down at the right end of the island, but the action was hot and heavy at the left end with Kolohe and Hoku being playfully worked by RIP and Buster. I've seen it so often now that it doesn't surprise me, but RIP and Buster appear to be really overdoing it with the weaners, and the little guys would haul out and appear to be trying to get away, only to turn around and dive right back into the battle. There were lots of little short term haul outs, but the action didn't really start settling down until around mid day, when first Kolohe, hauled out 40 ft left of 1BS, then Hoku hauled out 30 ft right of 1BS, then RIP 100 ft left of 1BS. I did not see Buster again today.

Colleen called from the #2 Overlook, at Diamond Head to excitedly report that she was watching Rocky loll and roll in the shallows at Diamond Head, directly below her. She was especially stoked because like all of us, the moments when you see actual movement are rare. Colleen put up signs and as this writing Rocky is still there. Aloha, DB

DB Post Friday July 11th

Kerby,Hoku,Kolohe,Buster&Sadie@RI, Rocky&Irma@ DH
After all the action and play amongst the boyz at RI the last few days, it was really a drag to watch the cast just lie there doing nuthin' . Kolohe was by himself at the left end, Hoku was at the 1st Blue Sign (1BS), Sadie had 3BS all to herself, and Kerby was alone on Rocky Right Beach (RRB) at the right end. Buster did haul out to join Hoku but there was barely any recognition of one another, and snooze mode quickly followed.

Ace DH Posse Princess , Colleen Heyer had a busy little day, dealing first with Rocky this morning, and then at 1400, Irma decided to haul out near the bunkers. I guess I'll have her out my way tomorrow.

Team Billand made a run to Kalaeloa Campgrounds this morning on the report of an animal , but it had departed prior to their arrival.

Lona was confirmed as the Chun's Reef animal from yesterday. She is back from her latest pupping experience at Kalaupapa , Molokai. Aloha, DB

Photos of Rabbit Island Cast

Aloha Good People;
Here are two photos from Thursday DB report... the technical difficulties were ... well... my mistake, however there is one photo that I couldn't load last night and can't load tonight. So here are two photos of our precious pups through a scope taken 8/10 of a mile away! Pretty Cool!

DB Post Thursday July 10th

Kerby,Hoku,Kolohe,Buster&Sadie@RI, Benny@Maili Pt., U/F@ Chun's Reef, 7-10-08
Buster kept both Kolohe and Hoku busy most of the day, doing swim/play sessions with both (two with Kolohe). Kerby and Sadie had a much quieter day at the right end of the island. I tried taking some long range shots through the scope, and the results were hideously poor, but at least you can kinda'/sorta' see the cast.

Team Billand reported Benny at Maili Point, around noon. They said he was still there at end of day.

Brenda called at 1250 to report and U/F near Chun's Reef on the North Shore. Though no ID is available yet, I'm putting my dollar on Lona. We are awaiting Todd White photos at this writing. Aloha, DB

SIGN: Monk Seal Nursey Area

Sign: Gill Net Rules

DB Post Wednesday July 9th

Kerby,Hoku,Kolohe,RIP&Buster@RI, Rocky@DH,M&M News & New Signs, 7-9-08
The Rabbit Island cast was pretty much the same as it has been for several days now. All 3 of our weaners were present, and I saw no interaction today. RIP and Buster were also present, but only interacted with one another, in my presence. Sadie stayed by herself down at the right end of the island.

At 0900 I joined David Nichols at Makai Research Pier. He put up new Gill Net Rules, and Monk Seal/Rabbit Island signs. I don't have a lot of faith that the bad guys will care, but it can't hurt. Additional signs are to be located at Kaupo Beach Park and Kaiona Beach Park.

Posse member Rachel, called at 1515 to report that Rocky had hauled out at DH at 1500. She put up signs.

Though it was an interesting day, the real highlight came at 1555 with a call, and a later email from Tracy, who did aerial surveys of Molokai today. To our shock and awe she found what proved to be M&M (My Mystery Molter) at Laua Pt., on Molokai, WITH her 3 to 4 week old pup !!!! That is truly fantastic news. I knew M&M was pregnant, and she dropped off the radar at just the right time, and lo and behold now we know why, and where ! I LOVE this stuff !!!! Aloha, DB

click on photo to enlarge.. so worth it!