I get back to the Bowls yesterday afternoon.  Right then, a baby seal came up to the beach.  There were tourists surrounding it trying to get photos.  I immediately told them to move back and stay away from it.  One told me “well, it came up to me so it’s not my fault.”  Another said “it’s ok. seals like us humans.”  Another said “it’s ok, it’s only a seal.”  I said “hey, we have rules in Hawaii and it’s illegal to go near a seal so get away!”  Then another tourist started to complain to me about being so sensitive because all they wanted was a photo.  Then I got mad.  I said “if you don’t want to respect our culture, go back to where you came from!”  Opps, I thought I was going to get “cancelled,” until a couple locals came up to me and said thank you for saying that.

20 minutes later, that same baby seal swam up right to us, smiled, and swam away.  In my mind, I said to it, “Sorry for the ignorant tourists earlier.  Why can’t they understand that they are supposed to stay 150 feet or 50 meters away from you?  You know you’re an endangered species and are federally protected right?  You know there is a $50,000 fine with up to 5 years in prison if they touched you right?

Sorry for venting.  Last week in Waikiki, a tourist jumped on a baby humpback whales back and tried to ride it.  I still can’t believe that happened.  Maybe I’m getting old, but I don’t like tourist who travel to other countries and show such disrespect.  That’s just not right.

Please take me to the Dragon Palace (Ryūgū-jō) Urashima Taro…

Good morning 3:30am.
North shore 4-6′ and good.
Ala Moana waist high and jellyfish.
Diamond Head waist high and bumpy.
Light East winds at 10mph.
Sunny and warm.
Going to the sea.
Have a wonderful day!

Another day of about 20 box jellyfish on the beach so there was hardly anyone out.  These boys don’t care because they can endure any kind of pain.

Ryu-san’s oldest boy is 20 years old.  Shunosuke has a bad shoulder from actively playing rugby.  He was supposed to get surgery last month but postponed it because he wanted to surf on this trip in Hawaii.  And even with a bad shoulder, he wanted to ride a shorter board.  Amazingly, he stood right up and surfed really good.  I was more concerned about his shoulder than anything.

Ryu-san on even a smaller board this morning.  Strong body and strong mind will get you far in life.  He’s a great example of that.  A great Father and role model to his 3 boys.

If his boys can do it, so can Ryu-san.  I just love watching their competitiveness that’s pushing all of them to greatness.

After a week and hundreds of waves on the longboard, today was back on the short board.  It’s a very hard transition, but this man figured it out.

This is one of the nicest bottom turns I’ve seen him do.  Impressive.

On the paddle back in, Shunosuke-kun’s shoulder got dislocated.  He waited calmly on the beach until his Father came in.  The very calm Doctor Ryu-san told him to lie down, then he gradually popped his shoulder back in.  Both of them so calm which was very impressive because I was the total opposite.  I panicked!  They were laughing at me.  But I still don’t think it’s funny.  Haha.

Went back out for Round 2 but too tired to talk about it.  Goodnight for now.