Big Surf, Hawaiian Monk Seals in Waikiki

July 18, 2022July 18, 2022 admin beach, Canon S5iS, Hawaii, Hawaiian Monk Seal, Photography, Waikiki, Waves

Body Surfer Girl — A boogie boarder breaks through an incoming wave.

Took a morning walk around the Kapiolani Park, Queens Beach and San Souci Beach area today. Shot a few pictures with my trusty old Canon S5iS digital camera that I bought way back in 2008. It’s an 8 megapixel device that can still get some good images.

The main reason to venture down Waikiki way this morning was to check out the waning high surf that has been pounding the South Shores of Oahu all weekend. The high surf was generated by the weakening Tropical Storm Darby that passed the State of Hawaii due south after churning as a hurricane in the Eastern Pacific Ocean last week.

In addition to that, the destination spot today was at San Souci / Kaimana Beach where Rocky, the Hawaiian Monk seal has given birth to another seal pup this month. Kaimana is one of the seal’s favorite places to give birth and raise a young one. Officials from the NOAA monitor Hawaiian Monk Seals and erected a barricade away from Rocky and her pup. The public is required to stay 100 feet away or more from Hawaiian Monk Seals, which are protected by State and Federal Laws. If you want to get a good photo of a monk seal, it is best to use a camera with a long zoom lens. Adult Hawaiian Monk seals are known to bite humans while protecting their pups.

All photos in this post were taken on July 18, 2022.

Diamond Head from Kapiolani Park.
One of many trees in Kapiolani Park.
The Waikiki Shoreline along Kuhio Beach. July 18, 2022.
High surf pounded south shores over the weekend and into Monday.
A boogie boarder breaks through an incoming wave.
UH Lab School students did some kind of exercise in the ocean.
The same group of students afterward.
These visitors ventured out to the end of the retaining wall.
There were a lot of white capped waves.
I think this guy was snapping photos with his smartphone.
Waves all day long, though the forecast predicted diminishing surf through the day.
The wave action was generated by receding tropical storm Darby, which passed to the south of Hawaii over the weekend.
People at the Kapahulu groin taking in the wave action.
The famed "Pink Palace" which is formally known as the Sheridan Royal Hawaiian Hotel. It will soon be 100 years old. The hotel opened in 1927.
The 420 cement stump once held up a lifeguard station installed about 10 years ago. Rising seatide de-stabilized the structure.
Tne entryway to the Waikiki Aquarium.
Flowers nearby the beach - 1
Flowers nearby the beach - 2
Rocky the Hawaiian Monk Seal and her new baby have made their home at Kaimana Beach. Hawaiian Monk Seals are an endangered species protected by State and Federal laws. Visitors must keep a minimum distance of 100 feet away from these creatures.
The Waning Gibbous Moon.
Rocky the Hawaiian Monk Seal and her new baby have made their home at Kaimana Beach. Hawaiian Monk Seals are an endangered species protected by State and Federal laws. Visitors must keep a minimum distance of 100 feet away from these creatures.
Sunshine through the trees at Kapiolani Park.
Lifeguard station.
The arch from the Waikiki Shell.
Rainy cloudy weather in the distance.
Five trees at Kapiolani Park.
Diamond Head is back there. Taken from Kapiolani Park. 7-18-2022.