Hawaiʻi · 2001—2026
Hawaiian monk seal
Seals around Hawaiʻi.
Follow public seal observations from Hawaiʻi. Browse published records, explore the places and stories behind them, or share an encounter with the Seal Watch team.
- Total reports
- 94
- Latest observation
Public reports · newest first
Public records archive
24 August 2001—21 September 2026
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94 reports
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Explore Hawaiʻi sightings
Island markers filter reports. Place markers show named shores or offshore islands from published records, never exact animal positions. Counts are reports, not seals.
76 of 94 reports name a mapped island · 32 have a named shore or island reference
Main Hawaiian Islands same scale
Kauaʻi coast enlarged
Oʻahu coast enlarged
Reported islands west to east
Named shores and islands
- Miloliʻi2 reports
- Poʻipū Beach2 reports
- Kaʻena Point1 report
- Camp Erdman shoreline1 report
- Pōkaʻī Bay2 reports
- Kahe Point5 reports
- Paradise Cove2 reports
- Three Tables Beach1 report
- White Plains Beach5 reports
- Waikīkī shoreline1 report
- Kaimana Beach2 reports
- Baby Makapuʻu tide pools1 report
- Mānana (Rabbit Island)6 reports
- Lahaina shoreline1 report
Other reported areas
These records give only a state or county area. Their shoreline remains unspecified.
Outline: Natural Earth. Place references: USGS, State of Hawaiʻi, NOAA and University of Hawaiʻi.
Reports over time
Select a year, then a month. Counts describe published reports; one animal may appear in several reports.
Grouped by each record’s archive date. Approximate dates keep their original labels in the records below.
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Date: 2026Reported: R407 (Kawika) MonkSealMania / Team R&B
Observation: R407 was reported alone on shore.
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Date: 2026Reported: RL20 (Kalua) MonkSealMania / Team R&B
Observation: RL20 was reported swimming past toward Ko Olina.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified MonkSealMania / Marilyn
Observation: Marilyn reported six seals during 12:55–15:07, including RV50, RV76, another weaned pup, a juvenile male, and two subadult females.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified MonkSealMania / Team R&B
Observation: An unidentified seal was seen swimming toward Ko Olina. The observers could not obtain enough identifying detail.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified MonkSealMania / Marilyn
Observation: Marilyn reported eight seals during 12:56–15:02, including three weaned pups. One pup was tentatively identified as RV76.
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Date: 2026Reported: R407 (Kawika) MonkSealMania / Team R&B
Observation: R407 was reported resting on the beach.
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Date: 2026Reported: RL12 (Aukai) MonkSealMania / Team R&B
Observation: RL12 was reported sleeping on shore.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified MonkSealMania / Marilyn
Observation: Marilyn recorded an adult male in molt and three weaned pups. One pup was attributed to PO13; the others were not individually identified.
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Date: 2026Reported: RU68 NOAA Fisheries
Observation: DLNR staff found the yearling female RU68 deceased.
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Date: 2026Reported: RT68 (Mana) NOAA Fisheries
Observation: Responders found RT68 deceased following a report of a seal in distress.
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Date: 2026Reported: RV36 NOAA Fisheries
Observation: RV36 was recovered deceased from an unattended fishing net offshore.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified MonkSealMania / Marilyn
Observation: Marilyn reported nine seals during 11:58–14:09, including a mother–pup pair attributed to RH76 (Kala) and PO13. Other seals were described by age, coat, sex and tags.
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Date: 2026Reported: RV58 (formerly PO11) NOAA Fisheries
Observation: Rocky's pup was tagged RV58 and released after weaning the previous day.
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Date: 2026Reported: RV96 (ʻĀnela ʻAuinalā) NOAA Fisheries
Observation: The weaned pup was released at a new beach and explored the water.
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Date: 2026Reported: RV28 (formerly PK1) Kauaʻi HMS Conservation Hui
Observation: RL28 weaned her male pup after 40 days of nursing. The pup, initially PK1, was subsequently tagged as RV28.
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Date: 2026Reported: R1NP Kauaʻi HMS Conservation Hui
Observation: A yearling male seen regularly between Waipouli and Lydgate was flipper-tagged as R1NP. The team described him as small but strong and healthy.
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Date: 2026Reported: RL28 and pup PK1 (later RV28) Kauaʻi HMS Conservation Hui
Observation: RL28 gave birth to her first pup, a male initially called PK1. The monitoring team later assigned the pup the permanent ID RV28.
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Date: 2026Reported: R404 Hawaiʻi Public Radio / Associated Press
Observation: A Hawaiian monk seal was filmed swimming in shallow water during a reported rock-throwing incident. AP later reported NOAA's identification of the seal as adult male R404.
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Date: 2026Reported: RK96 (Kaiwi) and pup Hawaiʻi DLNR / HMAR
Observation: Kaiwi gave birth to a pup at sunset on May 3. The state announcement identifies the mother as RK96.
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Date: 2026Reported: RN14 (Kalani) MonkSealMania / Team R&B
Observation: RN14 was the seal reported during the observers' visit to the beach.
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Date: 2026Reported: RL20 (Kalua) MonkSealMania / Team R&B
Observation: RL20 was reported resting alone.
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Date: 2026Reported: KG89 (Huakai) / RL12 (Aukai) MonkSealMania / Team R&B
Observation: The observers reported KG89 and RL12 on the beach.
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Date: 2026Reported: RG32 MonkSealMania / Team R&B
Observation: RG32 was reported alone on the rocks and alert.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified MonkSealMania / Marilyn
Observation: One juvenile female with two red tags was recorded during a brief 12:44–12:52 observation session.
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Date: 2026Reported: RH32 (Kaʻale) NOAA Fisheries
Observation: NOAA reported RH32 hauled out with typical behavior and no visible illness.
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Date: 2026Reported: Temp 402 (Naʻau; N45) MonkSealMania / Team R&B
Observation: The young seal identified as Temp 402 / N45 was resting ashore. Observers described an improved appearance but noted that it still looked underweight.
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Date: 2026Reported: RL20 / RH76 (Kala) / R3CX (Nalu) MonkSealMania / Team R&B
Observation: The observers reported RL20, RH76, and R3CX hauling out in the bay after watching seals foraging offshore.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified MonkSealMania / Marilyn
Observation: Marilyn recorded an adult male, a subadult female, a juvenile, and an adult female during the 12:15–14:22 observation session.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified E bailey / Wikimedia Commons
Observation: A Hawaiian monk seal was photographed resting on the beach.
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Date: 2026Reported: RN14 (Kalani) / RL08 MonkSealMania / Team R&B
Observation: RN14 was initially resting alone on shore. RL08 had joined him when the observers checked again.
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Date: 2026Reported: KG89 (Huakai) MonkSealMania / Team R&B
Observation: KG89 was reported resting on the ʻEwa side of the beach during rain and a rising tide.
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Date: 2026Reported: RW02 / R330 / RL47 / RP24 / RN58 / R420 MonkSealMania / Tammy and Lesley
Observation: Tammy and Lesley reported six seals: RW02, R330 (Squinty), RL47 (Kamakana), RP24 (Mohala), RN58 (Luana), and R420.
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Date: 2026Reported: RG32 / RM31 (Kai) MonkSealMania / Team R&B
Observation: RG32 and RM31 were reported resting together on the rocks.
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Date: 2026Reported: RH48 (Lei Ola) / R3CX (Nalu) MonkSealMania / Team R&B
Observation: RH48 was seen foraging in the morning. A later visit recorded RH48 and R3CX foraging on the rest-camp side of the bay.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Gabi Friedman — iNaturalist (gabi6)
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Hawaiian monk seal (Neomonachus schauinslandi).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Charlee — iNaturalist (wvwildchild)
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Hawaiian monk seal (Neomonachus schauinslandi).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Damien Wallace — iNaturalist (damienxw)
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Hawaiian monk seal (Neomonachus schauinslandi).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Susan Fawcett — iNaturalist (susanfawcett)
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Hawaiian monk seal (Neomonachus schauinslandi).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Jeff Stilwell — iNaturalist (jeffstilwell)
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Hawaiian monk seal (Neomonachus schauinslandi).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified onlymia — iNaturalist
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Hawaiian monk seal (Neomonachus schauinslandi).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Mike Ambrose — iNaturalist (mikeambrose)
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Hawaiian monk seal (Neomonachus schauinslandi).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Connor Young — iNaturalist (catalystcraft)
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Hawaiian monk seal (Neomonachus schauinslandi).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Erin Greunke — iNaturalist (egreunke)
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Hawaiian monk seal (Neomonachus schauinslandi).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified JJ Furuno — iNaturalist (jfuruno)
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Hawaiian monk seal (Neomonachus schauinslandi).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Adam — iNaturalist (adamstinks)
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Hawaiian monk seal (Neomonachus schauinslandi).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified lkapono — iNaturalist
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Hawaiian monk seal (Neomonachus schauinslandi).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified coastalcatt — iNaturalist
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Hawaiian monk seal (Neomonachus schauinslandi).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified t-trex — iNaturalist
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Hawaiian monk seal (Neomonachus schauinslandi).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified surfinsalamander — iNaturalist
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Hawaiian monk seal (Neomonachus schauinslandi).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Chris Scharf / Royle Safaris — iNaturalist
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Hawaiian monk seal (Neomonachus schauinslandi). The source credits photographer Chris Scharf, with the record shared by Royle Safaris.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Tumbleweed85 — iNaturalist (tarafied85)
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Hawaiian monk seal (Neomonachus schauinslandi).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Alexander Moerman — iNaturalist (wakko207)
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Hawaiian monk seal (Neomonachus schauinslandi).
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Date:Reported: Recently weaned male RL36 (Makoa) NOAA Fisheries
Observation: NOAA reported recently weaned male RL36 (Makoa) deceased on Oʻahu's North Shore.
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Date:Reported: Male pup PK6 (later identified as RL40) Kauaʻi Seals field account
Observation: A male pup later identified as RL40 was born on this date. A later field report attributes him to R400; this observation does not count the mother because the initial birth documentation shows the pup.
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Date:Reported: Yearling male RK88 (Kuokala) NOAA Fisheries
Observation: NOAA reported RK88 deceased at Camp Erdman, Kaʻena Point.
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Date:Reported: Female pup RL44 (Nanea) NOAA Fisheries
Observation: Female pup RL44, later known as Nanea, was born at Paradise Cove.
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Date:Reported: Pup PK3, later identified as RL30 Kauaʻi Seals field account
Observation: A pup later identified as RL30 was reported on the remote Nā Pali coast. The initial report did not positively identify its mother.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified male pup NOAA Fisheries
Observation: A days-old male pup was found deceased at the tide pools.
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Date:Reported: Male pup later identified as RL08 Kauaʻi Seals field account
Observation: Kauaʻi Seals reported the start of the 2019 pupping season on this date. The summary does not identify the mother; later reports identify a 2019 pup as RL08.
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Date:Reported: RH58 and male pup later identified as RK58 Marine Mammal Center
Observation: RH58 gave birth to a male pup later identified as RK58.
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Date:Reported: RO28 and pup PK4 Kauaʻi Seals field account
Observation: RO28 gave birth to pup PK4.
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Date:Reported: RK28 and pup PK3 Kauaʻi Seals field account
Observation: RK28 gave birth to pup PK3.
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Date:Reported: RH58 and pup later identified as RJ58 (Kaimana) NOAA Fisheries
Observation: RH58 gave birth to a pup at Waikīkī, later identified as RJ58 and known as Kaimana.
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Date:Reported: RK30 and male pup PK2 Kauaʻi Seals field account
Observation: RK30 gave birth to male pup PK2.
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Date:Reported: RK22 and male pup PK1 Kauaʻi Seals field account
Observation: RK22 gave birth to male pup PK1.
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Date:Reported: R8HY MonkSealMania / daily field account
Observation: R8HY was documented at Mokulēʻia in a dated daily field account.
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Date:Reported: RH58 and male pup Kauaʻi Seals field account
Observation: RH58 was found with a male pup; the pup had arrived the previous day and was found on Monday morning.
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Date:Reported: RO28 and male pup RG28 Kauaʻi Seals field account
Observation: RO28 gave birth to a male pup later identified as RG28.
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Date:Reported: R5AY and pup Kauaʻi Seals field account
Observation: R5AY gave birth to a pup on Oʻahu.
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Date:Reported: RK28 and pup Kauaʻi Seals field account
Observation: RK28 gave birth to a pup.
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Date:Reported: RH58 and female pup RF58 Kauaʻi Seals field account
Observation: RH58 gave birth to a female pup later identified as RF58.
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Date:Reported: RK30 and pup Kauaʻi Seals field account
Observation: RK30 gave birth to a pup.
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Date:Reported: RO28 and pup Kauaʻi Seals field account
Observation: RO28 gave birth to a pup.
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Date:Reported: RK22 and pup Kauaʻi Seals field account
Observation: RK22 gave birth to a pup.
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Date:Reported: RH58 and male pup RN44 Kauaʻi Seals field account
Observation: RH58 gave birth to a male pup later identified as RN44.
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Date:Reported: RO28 and male pup RN30 Kauaʻi Seals field account
Observation: RO28 gave birth to a male pup later identified as RN30.
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Date:Reported: RK22 and male pup later identified as RL14 Kauaʻi Seals field account
Observation: RK22 gave birth to a male pup later identified as RL14.
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Date:Reported: RK13 and female pup later identified as RL10 Kauaʻi Seals field account
Observation: RK13 gave birth to a female pup later identified as RL10 near Aliomanu and Anahola.
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Date:Reported: RA36 Kauaʻi Seals field account
Observation: RA36 was documented during a field encounter. The source's incident narrative is retained without inferring an additional animal.
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Date:Reported: RK30 and pup RK56 Kauaʻi Seals field account
Observation: RK30 gave birth to a pup later identified as RK56.
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Date: 2011Reported: Duke RA12; Buster RV08; Kolohe RW22; KC RK28; Irma R010; Pohaka RO28; Kermit R4DG; Ewa Girl RS00; Makaiwi R4DF MonkSealMania / DB daily field account
Observation: The dated field account records nine identified seals on Oʻahu: three together at Rabbit Island; KC at Alan Davis Estate; Irma at Makapuʻu Beach; Pohaka at Electric Beach; Kermit at White Plains; Ewa Girl at Kalaeloa Beach; and Makaiwi at Nimitz Cottages. The named IDs are observer attributions.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified male pup; mother suspected to be RK30 Kauaʻi Seals field account
Observation: An untagged male pup was observed at Miloliʻi. The source only suspects RK30 as the mother; that attribution is not treated as confirmed.
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Date:Reported: RK12 and pup later identified as RA36 Kauaʻi Seals field account
Observation: RK12 was observed with her newborn pup, later identified as RA36.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified pregnant Hawaiian monk seal Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Observation: A pregnant Hawaiian monk seal was seen at remote Pilaa Beach and was shot and killed. The source describes the encounter and death; no individual tag is given.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Hawaiian monk seal Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Observation: Surfers found the body of a Hawaiian monk seal in the ocean at Kaumakani Beach. The source reports that it had been shot dead.
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Date:Reported: KP2 (Hō‘ailona) Waikīkī Aquarium
Observation: KP2 was born on Kauaʻi. The record describes the wild birth, not later rescue or transfer events.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Observation: A Hawaiian monk seal became caught in a gill net about 100 feet offshore at Makua Beach and was found dead after likely drowning.
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Date:Reported: RH58 and female pup later identified as RB00 Kauaʻi Seals field account
Observation: RH58 gave birth to a female pup, later identified as RB00.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Robert Corrington / The Monachus Guardian letter, June 2007
Observation: A firsthand observer reported five Hawaiian monk seals playing and feeding offshore around 8 a.m., then hauling out at Brenneke Beach. Three remained on the beach twelve hours later. This is one group encounter, with no individual identities inferred.
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Date:Reported: Chester Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Observation: Chester was reported on the Waikīkī shoreline.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Observation: A Hawaiian monk seal was reported sleeping on the beach beside Kamehameha Highway in Kaaawa. Residents said it had been there since early morning.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Getty Images News / Phil Mislinski
Observation: One Hawaiian monk seal was photographed at Sunset Beach near Banzai Pipeline. The caption calls this its second day napping at the beach; no individual identification is given.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 26 March 2002
Observation: A dead monk seal pup was found floating off the resort beachfront. The original report says it apparently was stillborn, but the cause was under investigation and the mother was not identified. This is a carcass finding, not a live sighting or a second birth claim.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified female and pup Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Observation: A mother and pup were photographed at Poʻipū. The newspaper caption identifies the photograph as taken Friday; the article dated Monday 27 August establishes Friday as 24 August.