Lost Platinum Wedding Band at Hilton Hawaiian Village...FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)

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First off Happy New Year ring finders. It was 1039 PM New Years Eve and I was on Facebook when an email from Jemma came in. Jemma and her husband Lachlan from Sydney, Australia were on their honeymoon and staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. While swimming in the ocean Lachlan’s Platinum wedding band came off. They were in chest deep water near to where the beach drops off to 15 feet deep. They spent until sundown trying to find it without any luck. The tone of Jemma’s email was desperation. Knowing this area is detected heavily day and night I immediately called Jemma to see when they could meet. We agreed first light 0530 AM. When I arrived at the beach in the morning it was apparent they had stayed up all night. I had them mark off the extreme ends of the grid and I went hunting. The tide was high so the surf was pushing me around a bit. I was able to go in to my neck but only found a pendant and two pennies. There was a target that got too deep and I had to abandon that target for later. I explained to Jemma & Lachlan that it would require scuba at this point and I brought my gear just in case. They went and got me a hot coffee as we had to wait for the sun to come up. It was going to be another hour so I told them to go eat breakfast and I would give them a call when I found the ring. Three other detectorists showed up hunting the sand and my friend Mike was entering the water with his Dual Field. I needed to hurry. Just as the sun crested Diamond Head crater I entered at the extreme east side of the grid. I started at chest deep and went out to about 8 feet deep. First target a Lincoln cent. A few moments later a beaver tail. Hope Mike ain’t getting too close! Then on about my 6th leg I got an awesome tone and there was Lachlan’s ring. I was going to detect some more but decided I didn’t want them to wait. I hiked back to my truck and called Jemma’s cellphone. I told her I found the ring and asked if they could meet me at my truck as I was cleaning off my scuba gear. She said they would be there in 10 minutes. As I saw them approaching I held out the ring to Lachlan and with a look of amazement he said “thank you so much.” Jemma gave me a big hug and gracious thank you too. Of course we all were smiling and thought what a great way to start the New Year. Aloha to Jemma & Lachlan.

3 Comments »

3 Replies to “Lost Platinum Wedding Band at Hilton Hawaiian Village…FOUND!!!”

  1. Jemma says:

    Wow, what a New Years experience we have had. Yesterday afternoon, whilst my partner and I were cooling off in Waikiki Beach, my husband’s ring came off. He was absolutely stunned when he noticed and he quickly swam ashore to grab my goggles. We spent the rest of the remainder of the afternoon (until sundown) searching for it in the sand. Finally we gave up, we surrended that it would be lost forever! However, I had read of a couple of stories about couples loosing ring(s), and that couples had sourced scuba divers and search gear in order to find it. So that’s what I did, whilst we were wallowing in our hotel suite mind you. And then I found Joe, my heart was racing and I just knew it was meant to be. I couldn’t get my international sim working so I quickly sent an email to Joe. About 30 minutes later he called me back, and all on New Years Eve. I couldn’t then believe he would then offer to come down in the morning at 0530 am to have a look for the ring, I didn’t sleep all night.
    As Joe promised he was there, and he started his search after asking us a couple of questions. We were very lucky to know the area in which the ring was lost and Joe soon went to work. However, it was high tide and the water was a lot higher than it was when we lost it. Joe had to change into his scuba gear (whilst we tried to take our minds off it by having breakfast) and got to work quickly. We were on our way back from breakfast when he called, and I truely couldn’t wipe the smile off my face…He’d found it, relief..

    Joe, we really can not thank you enough for going out of your way to help us in such a crisis. We know it’s just stuff, but a wedding ring is truely so special; especially to loose it on your honeymoon!

    Well we can say 2016 certainly started better than 2015 ended. I can not recommended Joe enough to anyone, should you find yourself in the same situation. Just remember the sooner you contact Joe, the better. And don’t forget to update your insurance before your honeymoon!!!

    Joe, we owe you for eternity..thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

    Lachlan & Jemma

    Mahalo.

  2. Larry Griffith says:

    Great start for the new year Joe! Wish you lots of recoveries.

  3. What a great story and way to start the new year! Well done Joe!

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