DB Post 12.24.09 Thursday xmas eve

I was on the road at 0600 as usual, but my initial pass through the SE quadrant was a bust until my wife and I got to Spitting Cave. There we initially found Buster doing 8 minute dives, but on Buster's 3rd up he was suddenly in the company of Duke. They did 2 more ups together, and then at 0842 we caught a glimpse of Buster heading off toward the point and into the morning glare. We saw neither animal again at SC, but there was to be more to the story.

My first look at Rabbit Island was a bust, and it was still a bust when I got back to Makai Pier at 0930.

Because of Right Spot's uncharacteristic mid day haul out to Sandy Beach yesterday, I decided to go to Sandy Beach at 1030 and wait and see what would happen, knowing full well it was a fool's errand. Just as though I had the vaguest clue what I was doing, Right Spot hauled out right before my eyes at 1210. Stacey was there with me so I have a witness to the success of my insanity. I got Right Spot cordoned off and did lots of PR. She was still there at 1500, and I'll be returning to check her shortly.

At 1225 Mark, from NOAA called with the report of an animal newly hauled out to Diamond Head. I advised him to call Colleen, which he did. Both Mark and Colleen called back later to confirm that it was Irma ! I woulda' put my dollar on Rocky, but Irma really isn't a surprise since her two days at Spitting Cave suggested that she was heading back in that direction.

When I got back to Makai Pier at 1331 I found Buster at the right end of the beach. At 1455 Duke hauled out right of the 3BS, back home from their Spitting Cave adventure.

Team Billand reported Kermit at White Plains a 0700. I heard from Barbara again at 1027 , reporting that Robert had been hit in the head by an unknown , thrown object at the Kermit rope line. Barbara will be providing more info to da' blog, www.monksealmania.blogspot.com (hey thats here )

Right Spot showed no interest in leaving Sandy Beach. I picked up the rope at 1845 and left the signs.

Amazing Video of Buster & Kolohe

Aloha Good People... please take a look at this amazing footage that was sent to DB.... great great underwater shots... and unbelievable footage of our two star monk seals!!! FABULOUS!!
I got spectacular footage today from Joakin Hjelm at Island divers of Buster and Kolohe at Sea Cave on 12-14-09. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dgu4_x9ncs. Enjoy !!!!! DB

DB Post 12.23.09 Wednesday

I was on the road at 0600 as usual, but found nobody on my first pass through the SE quadrant until I got to Spitting Cave at 0758. There I found Irma for her 2nd consecutive day, doing 7 minute dives.

Another pass through the SE quadrant spots on my way back to Makai Pier was once agan zero. I remained at MP from 0900 until 1100 and still found nobody. My afternoon Rabbit Island check was also zero. It was one of those extremely rare (thankfully) days with no Rabbit Island presence.

From 1000 until 1100 I did another check of all SE quadrant spots, from Kaupo Beach Parsk through Sandy Beach. The SB check ended at 1038. Still nobody. I returned to Makai Pier.

At 1244 posse member June Kawamata called to report an animal at the east end of Sandy Beacfh. When I arrived at 1258 I found Right Spot on the beach. She had not been there on my 1038 check, and talks with beach goers and the lifeguard seemed to indicate that she must have arrived at around 1100. That means she was on the beach for nearly 2 hours before I became aware of her. Sorry Right Spot, that should never have happened !

Right Spot was still there on my 1500 check . I'll be returning shortly.

Team Billand called at 1022 to report that Kermit had been reported at White Plains since 0800. Kermit departed WP at 1740.

Right Spot departed Sandy Beach at 1840.

DB Post Tuesday 12.22.09

When I got to Sandy Beach at 0600, Benny was no longer there. I picked up the signs and continued on. Posse member Sheryl called at 0641 to say that there was a newly hauled out animal at the east end of the beach at Sandys . When I got back there at 0646 I found Right Spot. I got her cordoned off, and rechecked her throughout the day. Colleen also checked her around mid day. She was still there on my 1500 check. I'll be returning shortly.

On my 0805 Spitting Cave check I found Irma doing 8 minute dives . Colleen also saw her there later in the morning.

When I checked Sandy Beach at 1722, Right Spot was gone. There were no witnesses available.

Right Spot

Irma

mikala

Kermit just sent an email. He was really upset because I forgot to mention him in da' blog. He spent his day at Kermit's Reef, and nobody will even know. Thank God I put in photo in there, or he'd reeeeeeeeally go off. Sorry Kerm ! db

Ho'ailona (KP2) Holiday Update

Ho'ailona Update:

Ho'a has been doing phenomenal. He has already gained almost 6 kg. (13.2 lbs) since he arrived here and is enjoying his "hawaiian" environment. He is now eating tilapia in addition to herring and we are working on introducing him to other food types as well to expand his pallet. Ho'a is currently learning several behaviors to assist in his care. These behaviors include going to the water, holding in the water, stationing with his chin on the edge of the pool, coming up on land fro the pool, and targets. The targets allow us to communicate with Ho;a where we would like him to be by asking him to touch his nose to a certain object. Ho'a still shows a great deal of curiosity to any new toy he is given and exhibits a very playful attitude. Overall, Ho'a is doing outstanding!

Happy Holidays to everyone in Hawaii and thank you again for all your
help!

Beau
Head Trainer

Late Breaking News - Mom Seal Protects Her Pup

Aloha good people;

Stayed tuned for more information as it unfolds...
While I was updating the blog this evening I got an email from Barb Billand who heard on the news of a monk seal attacking someone on Kauai....

Here is the link to the Honolulu Advertiser Article
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20091221/BREAKING01/91221066/Visitor+injured+in+encounter+with+monk+seal+off+Kauai

Apparently Mom didn't like someone getting too close to her pup... WELL MAYBE NOW people will stay away... honestly.. would anyone think about approaching a grizzly and her cub? I don't think so... I am curious if any of the volunteers were around when this happened?

Well stay tuned for more as the story develops.

At 0600 I found Irma and Right Spot waiting for me at the east end of Sandy Beach. It's a pretty safe bet that Irma overnighted. Both have remained there all day.

At 0638 I found Rocky, still at Irma's. She too probably overnighted, and she too remained there all day.

I finally go to Makai Pier at 1100, and at 1128 Mikala hauled out 40 ft left of 1BS, where she remained the rest of the day. She was the one and only RI resident today.

At 1214 posse member Alice, called to report that there was a new arrival at the girlz location at Sandy Beach. When I arrived at 1230 , of course , I found Benjamin M. Seal (Benny) with Right Spot. My caller/witness said that he initially hauled out to Irma, but an abrupt snort from her, sent him scurrying over to join Right Spot. The Benny track evidence supported that tale. I expanded the cordon in the Benny/Right Spot location and both seem to have settled down by 1400.

Team Billand called at 0835 to report that Kermit was once again at his residence at #1708, White Plains.

Posse person Lesley called at 1559 to report that Rocky was gone from Irma's I picked up the stuff and spoke with a surfer who said she was gone at 1500.

I went to Sandy Beach and hung out on the rope line with Lesley and many others. Right Spot rolled into the water and departed at 1700. Benny who was right along side her, had no clue. It took him 10 minutes to figure it out, and when he did he beat flipper to the water. I thought for sure he would depart, but alas, he turned around and move up the beach again. He was still there when I called it a day at 1900.

Irma departed at 1734.

Irma & Right Spot

Irma Right Spot
Benny & Right Spot
Benny
Rocky
Kermit

DB Post 12.20.09 Sunday

At 0600 I found Irma waiting for me at the east end of Sandy Beach. I cordoned her off and rechecked her throughout this drizzly day (morning at least). She has remained there all day.

When I got my first look at Rabbit Island at 0726 I found Right Spot snoozin' comfortably right of 1BS. She remained there all day.

I became aware of a partially visible animal hidden in the Morning Glory at the right end of the beach on Rabbit Island at 1000. It would take awhile but it prove to be Kolohe. He never moved down through the day. He seemed perfectly happy to cruise in the Morning Glory all day.

At 1158 I got a call from posse person emeritus, June Kawamata called to report an animal at Irma's. When I arrived at 1201 I found Rocky on the beach. We cordoned her off and she has remained there the rest of the afternoon. She was last seen on 12-11-09 at Nimitz Beach by Team Billand. He last haul out east of Diamond Head was at Hanauma Bay (on the beach) on 12-11-09. Her last Irma's haul out occurred on 6-11-08.

I got back to Makai Pier at 1400 , and the RI cast was the same. At 1450 Mikala hauled out left of 1BS, and galumphed up and into the Morning Glory, where she was snoozin' when I departed.

Team Billand reported Kermit, once again at his home at #1708, White Plains, at 0845. They called to report that Kermit had just departed at 1640.

Posse member Keith Kenyon did the KP trek today, and sent photos of Ka'ena and Yoda at the end of the world.

I picked up Irma's rope at 1850, and Rocky's at 1900, and left the signs. Both of the girls were still on the beach.

DB Post (cont) 12.20.09

Rocky

Kaena
Yoda
Kermit

DB Post Saturday 12.19.09

Sandy Beach posse member, Mike called at 0518 to report an animal at the east end of Sandy Beach. When I got there at 0540 I found, and cordoned off Right Spot. On my 3rd pass through Sandy Beach at 0743, posse member Dave, said there were now two animals at the end. Sure enough when I got down there I found Irma , 30 ft east of Right Spot. It was beginning to look like a "Groundhog Day", but as it turned out Benny never "showed face", at least as of 1500. I'll be returning to SB shortly.

At 0708 I found Kolohe up in the grass, 30 ft right of 3BS. He would move down around 0930, and was still there when I departed the pier for a Sandy Beach recheck at 1100.

When I returned to Makai Pier at 1140, one of the fisherman regulars gleefully passed on that "a small one" had swum around the breakwater and then headed off in a Makapuu direction. I HATE it when that happens !!! When I got back to work I immediately noticed that Kolohe was no longer at RI. I'll put one cat on Kolohe as the MP swimmer !

At 0935 I found Duke just hauling out fronting 1BS, on RI. He would move up and remained there until , on a pan at 1240 I noticed that he had departed. I did not see him again today.

At 0945 , Mikala hauled out at the right end of the beach, and would remain there the rest of the day.

From 1300 until 1500 I relocated to Blow Hole Lookout, where I hoped to get an overview of Benny's possible arrival to the girls at Sandy Beach. Naturally, Benny was a no show.

Team Billand reported Kermit at "Kermit's Reef" at 0830. According to my records he has been at White Plain consecutives since 11-17-09. I'm sure the WP denizens were happy to have the beach to themselves. I know the Billands were stoked !!!

Both the Sandy Beach girlz were still there on my 1730 check , but were gone when I got back at 1838.

Kolohe

Mikala Irma & Right Spot
Irma Right Spot
Kermit

DB Post Friday 12.18.09

My day began with a 0523 call from posse person Mike, reporting an animal at the east end of Sandy Beach. When I got there at 0600 I found Right Spot, and cordoned her off, and continued on the route to Hanauma Bay.

Just as I was leaving HB, I got a call at 0636 from yet another Sandy Beach posse person, Sheryl, reporting that there was now another animal near the one I had roped off. When I arrived at 0642 I found Irma approximately 30 ft east of Right Spot, and duly cordoned her off.

When I finally got a look at Rabbit Island , from Makai Pier at 0735 I found what would prove to be Kolohe at the right end of the beach. He would be the one and only RI resident today. I had seen shots of Kolohe at Sea Cave yesterday,12-17-09, on the Island Diver's website.

When I got to Spitting Cave at 0759 I found posse persons, Joel & Stacey Stella there. They immediately told me that there an animal there. Sure enough at 0802 up popped Buster. We observed several 7 minute dives.

Somewhere in the 1100 time frame I did a Sandy Beach recheck, and there was Stacey again sitting with Irma & Right Spot. After adjusting the cordons, I continued on. At 1235 Stacey called with the report of an idiot walking through the cordons and giving her attidude when she tried to get him to stop. I called DOCARE, and lo and behold they actually showed up in a timely manner, and Stacey called back at 1304 to say that DOCARE was there and had the guy, and were talking to him. I have no further word on the outcome.

When I returned to Sandy Beach on my 1400 recheck I was totally shocked to see a THIRD animal near Right Spot. I had received no calls and just happened on to the situation. Regular readers already know, right ?.....................It was , of course, Benny, newly returned from two days at Molokai. Witnesses I spoke with after redoing the line, said he had arrived at approximately 1330. I swear , I'm not even surprised. I fully expected a Benny call today. He had been on Molokai the last couple of days, which seems to be his threshold for Molokai, and with two hot chicks at Sandys how could he NOT show up ! I'll be returning to Sandy Beach shortly.

Team Billand called at 0645 to report Kermit at White Plains.........again, and called again at 1628 to advise that he was still there, and that Kermit was the only SW quadrant critter seen today.

Right Spot departed Sandy Beach at 1810. Benny followed at 1824, but came back and joined Irma for a bit, at 1833. Irma was not happy about that and Benny departed again at 1840. Irma was the last to leave at 1850.

RO19 in the News

Here are some of the news pieces on the MURDER of yet another animal! I am speechless... obviously outraged but at a complete loss... don't even know where to begin. Well this time for sure we have to let the prosecutors KNOW the public is outraged... 3 ANIMALS KILLED in a single year.... such an outrage. Something needs to be done.


12-17-09 Advertiser : www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20091217/BREAKING01/91217040/Monk+seal+s+death+on+Molokai+investigated+as+deliberate+killing

KHNL/KGMB:
http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/global/story.asp?s=11696996

DB Post Thursday 12.17.09

The Rabbit Island crew for today was Right Spot at 2BS, and Sadie at 3BS. Both would remain at those locations all day. The day came to an earlier than usual close with rain from the approaching front.

My find of the day came on my Spitting Cave check at 0758. There I found Irma doing 5-6 minute dives, and then Buster showed up, also doing 5-6 minute dives. They were operating well apart. Irma was last seen at White Plains on 12-15-09. It's always nice to see Irma in the SE quadrant, without the usual Waikiki stop over. Thank you Irma!

Team Billand reported Kermit at White Plains at 0821, and called again to report Ewa Girl at Palm Grove, Campbell Industrial Park at 1330.

Right Spot

Sadie
Irma N3
Buster
Kermit
Ewa Girl