Last Friday marked the grand opening of phase II of Ke Ala Hele Makala’e—the path that hugs the coastline. Now, people can walk, run, or ride their bikes some four miles between Lihi Boat Ramp in central Kapa’a and Ahihi Point in Kealia. Another two-and-a-half miles already meanders through Lydgate Park. Phase III will connect these two and, eventually, that path will run north to Anahola and all the way south to Nawiliwili. 

Let's get social. OutriggerHawaii now has a page on Facebook. With the recent explosion of what those-in-the-know call social networks, it's obvious we human beings like to connect. And if you also like all things Hawai'i, then you will love our new Facebook page. We hope you'll visit, make comments, post photos and/or videos and participate in our discussion boards. Right now, we're discussing our favorite beaches. To weigh in with yours, click here. And while you're there, be sure to "fan" us.  And if one social media network isn't enough, why not two. In addition to Facebook, you can follow us on Twitter, too. So, let the conversations begin. It's going to be a busy summer.

Since these chicks pipped some four-and-a-half months ago, they witnessed double-overhead swells pounding the shore below their bluff, they survived heavy rains that bred mosquitoes and an avian pox that twisted the bills of their breathren, and they celebrated Valentine's Day, my birthday, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day and, now, the longest day of the year. But, as you can see, these two chicks are readying for their coming out party. 

I have a question for you: When you go on vacation, do you make an itinerary?  Let it be known that I am an inveterate list-maker. Thinking about what I need to do tomorrow? I make a list. In my office ready to start my day? I make a list. Going grocery shopping? If I don’t have a list in hand when I leave the house, I sit in the car and make one before I walk in the store.  Why? Because I hate it when I forget something. 

You know how it is with Facebook. You receive emails from people with whom you graduated from high school 25 years ago. You receive emails from people you don’t know but who fanned the same group as you. You receive emails from people who say they know someone in common with you. And they all want to be your friend. That’s how it was with Mia King. I didn’t know Mia King. I hadn’t ever met her before. In her email, she said that I knew a good friend of hers and I knew her husband. She was right. On both accounts. 

As for me, I spent most of Saturday at the beach. If you’ve followed my blog for the past few months, you won’t be surprised that I was pup-sitting an endangered Hawaiian monk seal. But I wasn’t checking on “Sunrise Seal,” about whom I have written and photographed extensively. At 6:00 a.m., I checked on a pregnant mom, known at K01. When I left at 10:00, she had rolled back down into the water. I figured she was heading out to feed one more time, because once she pups, she won’t get another good meal for five to seven weeks. At 2:00 p.m., I received a text message: K01 had pupped. 

What do marine mammal first responders do for fun in the sun? We practice transporting cetaceans. Because we do not have access to live animals, though, we opt for substitutes. Even though the sun was scorching during this afternoon’s training, at least the animal weighed next to nothing. 

I flew to Maui today to attend three days of meetings as part of the 4th Annual Hawaiian Monk Seal & Cetacean Stranding Response Network. At the far northern end of Ka'anapali Beach, we discovered divers launching themselves off the 35-foot rock face at sunset. See that dark speck above the rocks? That's a diver in full arch mode.