‘Īlio holo i ka uaua

The Hawaiian Monk Seal, or ‘Īlio holo i ka uaua, is one of the most endangered species on the planet. The "dog that runs through rough water" is endemic to the Hawaiian Island chain, even the Northern Hawaiian Islands. This particular monk seal was resting on Nimitz Beach last year. I had gone to Nimitz Beach to catch an arriving airliner at the Kalaeloa Airport, and spotted the seal in the distance. After getting the airplane photos, I walked down to the area where the seal was. Keeping my distance, I was able to get some great shots.

Federal and state laws state that there must be a 150-foot distance from Hawaiian Monk Seals on any Hawai‘i beach. Also, seal sightings can be reported to NOAA.

On The Mend

One morning, Yuki and Emi were chasing each other around the living room and up on the sofa. Emi ran down the steps by the sofa, but Yuki decided to take a shortcut and jump. She landed wrong on her left front leg, and came up limping. When we rushed her to the vet, and they said Yuki had a mild left shoulder subluxation, and a hairline fracture on her left front leg. At six months old, right after healing from her spay surgery, Yuki had to wear a soft cast for a month, stay in a confined movement area, plus the cone to keep her from gnawing on the bandage. It was a challenge for her, but she healed up.

Aloha ‘Oe Aloha Stadium

Demolition crews began tearing down the area around Aloha Stadium last month, and plan to start demolition on parts of the stadium this month. I took this photo this past October as I had to make sure my all my department locations were cleared out. It was bittersweet to walk around the stadium. 

There were a lot of great memories of games, events, the people I worked with, alongside, and worked for. There are some great memories of games and concerts I attended as fan years before I began working there.

The new facility is scheduled to finish construction in 2029, and can't wait to see how the new place will look.