On Tuesday we shared the story of a massive jellyfish that had washed ashore in Laie. Turns out, it wasn’t the only large open ocean animal to visit a windward Oahu beach. Alan Shepard was at Kailua Beach on Sunday enjoying the picture perfect weather when he spotted a beautiful animal swimming in waist-deep water.
"Right off the shore, I could see it clearly right from the shore it was a clear day that day," said Shepard who has dabbled in marine science and knew exactly what it was, but couldn’t believe it was so close to shore. "It was just phenomenal and I’m kind of an underwater photographer, amateur but love discovering that kind of things and to see this that close this pelagic deep water animal that close to shore was unheard of. And my heart was racing a mile a minute oh this is fantastic, better than seeing a shark or anything like that it was really cool."
Shepard snapped several photos of a three-foot long jellyfish that was being escorted by a striped jack.
"Stuck with it the whole time, did not stray from it at all," he said. "I saw it wasn’t damaged or sick and still moving quite well so I followed it out past Flat Island to make sure no one damage or grab it."
On Tuesday we heard from Darryl Manuwai who came across a monster jelly fish at Hukilau Beach in Laie. Two reports in less than a week.
"What’s probably happened is there’s been an extended onshore blow and whenever that happens you get some really really interesting animals coming up," said Waikiki Aquarium Director Andrew Rossiter.
Marine scientists believe both incidents are rare but the images captured by Shepard are priceless.
"Usually strong winds that are accompanied by big waves and the animals get mashed to pieces in very bad conditions these have been absolutely perfect conditions so it’s avery very special opportunity to see something unique," said Rossiter. His recommendation if you come across another large jelly. "Very very unusual so if you have an opportunity to see it go out and see it and leave them in the sea, they’re much better off there."
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
