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Seal of Approval

East Hawaii beach hosts mom and pup seal



By Karen Welsh

The waves pounded the shoreline, remnants of a storm system that passed through the Big Island. The tide was steadily rising, making it the perfect time for a quick retreat.
Suddenly, the snappy bark of a female Hawaiian Monk Seal was heard above the surf at a remote beach location near Papaikou, in East Hawaii.
The momma seal loudly beckoned her 10-day-old pup to higher ground.
The baby, with the froth of milk still on it’s black whiskers from a recent nursing answered back as a sassy child, unwilling to obey and make the climb up the steep shore.
After a few more commands, the pup seal finally relented, following its mom up to a safer haven.
The mom gave birth on the beach less than two weeks ago and has intensely nurtured her pup. It's in her nature and she will neither eat nor drink until the baby is weaned and can become more independent.
During that time, the seal, now weighing somewhere between 600 to 700 pounds, will lose 200 pounds, while the baby, which weighed 25 to 30 pounds at birth, quickly gains between 5 to 8 pounds per day.
Most of the time, however, the two monk seals lounge lazily about at the edge of the shore. The mother wants to sleep, while the baby remains in constant motion after it wakes up from a nap.
A yellow rope barricade keeps people at bay. Signs are posted to warn off those who might get too close.
It’s already a long, steep climb down the edge of a ravine, and an even longer climb back uphill. If that’s not enough of a deterrent, David Schofield, the regional marine mammal response coordinator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said the mammals are federally protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act and need to be treated appropriately at all times.
An around-the-clock vigil is now being posted by the University of Hawaii Marine Biology volunteers, in conjunction with the NOAA Fishery Service and the Department of Aquatic Resources and Schofield said their directions must be taken seriously.
"If they ask you to do something, please heed their advice and move away," he said. "They have the authority."
Schofield said the guidance is meant to avoid injury to both the mammals and humans, as the mother seal will protect her young and will attack if anyone gets too close.
The best thing the public can do, Schofield stressed, is to simply stay away from the beach for another four to five weeks, as they don’t want the mother seal to prematurely abandon the baby.
"This is a critical time," he said. "This is the early critical period. It’s important to not disturb the nursing behavior."
It's hard to tell if the mother and pup understand the hoopla surrounding the blessed event. The two remain close to one another, as if they are the only two creatures on earth. Unabashedly, the little one nudges it's head, signaling the caretaker to turn her lumbering body, allowing the babe to nurse, the circle of life continuing against all odds.

Karen Welsh can be reached at writeaway777@hawaii.rr.com

Shiver Me Timbers!

Replica Privateer Ship Blasts into Bay

By Karen Welsh
Feature Writer

A perfectly quiet day in Hilo was interrupted by cannon blasts yesterday morning as the 1812 replica privateer vessel made a grand entrance into the harbor.
Eerily reminiscent of what life was like in the 1800s, the sun shone through a light band of billowy clouds, shimmering brightly on dancing ocean waters when the tall ship sailed into port after it signaled it’s arrival with four six-pounder carronades erupted with explosive action.
"I’ve been a cannon-crazed nut since I was a kid," said Woodson Woods, the owner of the Lynx and founder of the Lynx Educational Foundation.
A successful businessman, Woods wanted to give something back to the world. His love of the sea prevailed in Woods’ decision-making process, and he decided to built the vessel to provide an educational hands-on learning experience for children.
The cost to build the vessel was $2.75 million, but Woods said it was worth every penny.
He then created an the Lynx Educational Foundation, which is run by his son, Jeffrey.
Although it’s new, the ship was built historically accurate, providing a floating classroom, where students can learn firsthand about America’s heritage. It was designed after a privateer ship that helped keep the British at bay during the American Revolution.
The younger Woods said although the program is still young, the ship’s popularity and interactive field trips for youth and adults are growing in popularity.
This summer the Lynx and her crew has made the first voyage where it carried five high school students from its home port in Newport, Calif. to the Hawaiian Islands. The ship made it’s first stop in Hilo after 16 days at sea.
Besides serving as regular crewmen, learning seamanship, seafaring traditions, celestial navigation, and tall ship sailing, the teenagers also attended afternoon classes where they learned about Hawaiian culture and history and the Captain James Cook’s three voyages across the Pacific.
Idaho resident Rebecca Sidell, 16, was one of the youth on board to experience the open ocean. She said it was a change from her dry lifestyle on the mainland.
"I wanted to come for an adventure," she said. "I think it was hard sometimes, but it was broadening to my horizons. I learned how much it takes to sail a boat. You have to be coherent. You have to be listening 24/7."
One of her favorite memories was taking the dawn watch.
"The stars were so gorgeous," Sidell said. "There was one point where there were more stars than sky. It brought everything into perspective for me. I thought, ‘wow, I’m in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. I have no reason to complain.’"
While on board there was no use of cell phones, computers, gaming programs or other technological gadgetry.
Doug Newbill, 15, of Simi Valley, Calif. found out he could actually live without it.
"I was distracted with running the lines, learning knots and helping run the ship," he said. "I didn’t think about (computers) a lot."
California resident Tracie Sullivan was there to meet the Lynx when it docked at Hilo Port. She had sent her son, Michael, 15, on the ship, and for good reason.
"We felt it would be a life-changing opportunity for him," she said. "To learn more about his strengths and weaknesses and to have fun too."
Her first maternal impressions let her know the voyage was worth it.
"Michael looks great," Tracie said. "He looks good. He’s changed. He seems really grown up."
The experience was so grand that it even affected the professional crew.
Deckhand and Education Officer Bryce Adams, who works as a teacher during the school year, said the sail from the mainland to the islands on the "incredible ship" was the "ultimate trip."
Master Gunner and Safety Medical Officer "Insane" Elaine Eno said the trip was a learning experience.
"It was a great adventure," she said. "It was amazing. It was really putting myself to the test. I would do it again."
The escapades of this seaworthy vessel are far from over in Hawaii. The ship will be going out into Hilo Bay between 4 to 6 p.m. today to shoot more cannon fire and show it’s full sail display for all those waiting for the firework’s show at 8 p.m. from Coconut Island.
The elder Woods said the Lynx will also head over to West Hawaii to perform staged pirate raids on July 9 at Kukio Beach, and July 10 at the Mauna Kea and Hapuna Prince Hotels.
"We’ll bring the dingy ashore in these locations with a pirate chest," he said. "We’ll bury it and then let the kids dig it up."
The younger Woods is hoping this is the first of many trips back and forth across the Pacific. They are currently looking for sponsors to help build the program. They also provide corporate team building programs and adult education courses on the ship.
He also encourages all those interested in sailing on the Lynx to contact the foundation.
"It changes your life when you’re out to sea," Woods said. "It really does."

Fast Facts:
For more information on Privateer Lynx or the Lynx Educational Foundation, write to:
509 29th St.
Newport Beach, CA 92663
Call toll-free (866) 446-5969
Fax (949) 723-1958
E-mail: woodsjwreno@aol.com