Joe Au-Franz, Author at The Ring Finders | Page 7 of 37

Lost Tungsten Wedding Band at Aulani Lagoon Ko Olina Resort…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This ring hunt began when I got a text from Deana stating her husband Roland lost his Dark Tungsten Wedding Band in Aulani Lagoon and it was engraved with a date.  They were visiting and on vacation from Arizona.  Roland had just entered the water and as he was standing in neck deep water his ring fell off and disappeared.  They tried searching but it was fruitless in the stirred up lagoon with very little visibility.  Since it happened at a high tide I told Deana I would come during the morning low tide in hopes I wouldn’t have to use scuba.  When I arrived the next morning Roland & Deana met me on the beach with their two daughters.  Roland helped me draw some grid lines in the sand and I started the search.  I went out to the deepest part as the tide was coming in and I wanted to get the most depth.  No joy there!  I started the perpendicular to shore search and after about 40 minutes completing the grid with no luck I asked Roland if I should expand the grid which direction should I go?  He said try left.  On the second leg of the expanded grid I got a nice loud tone on the Nox and in one scoop there was the dark tungsten ring in the scoop.  I yelled to the beach chairs, ‘I found it!”  Roland & Deana came running down to the water and were both overfilled with joy that the recovery was successful.  Deana told me it was her birthday and that was the greatest gift ever.  Aloha to Roland & Deana who can now relax and enjoy the rest of their vacation.

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Lost Yellow Gold & Diamonds Ring at Hunakai Beach in Kahala…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This ring find began when I got a call from Kaylee who lives on Oahu.  While enjoying the day at Hunakai Beach she went to brush the sand off her hands that was sticking to the suntan lotion and her Yellow Gold & Diamonds Ring flew off but she didn’t see exactly where it went.  It was sand and ground cover involved.  She initially through a Google search found our fellow ring-finder Dave Sheldon on Maui and he referred her to me knowing I lived 5 minutes from that beach.  I told Kaylee I just left work and would stop at home grab my gear and be right there for a recovery.  When I arrived Kaylee and her friend Kanoe were near the beach access and shouted over to me as I entered the beach area.  Kaylee described what happened and I immediately fired up the Nox-800 and started the search.  First target was a nice loud #9 but it took three scoops to get the target.  There was plenty of beach plant debris in the scoop but as I removed it Kaylee’s beautiful ring came into view.  Here you go!  She looked so relieved as I handed her the ring.  Short and sweet recovery!  Aloha to Kaylee and Kanoe!

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Lost Platinum & Gold Wedding & Engagement Rings at Aulani Lagoon…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This ring find began back on August 3rd when I received a text from Jaimie visiting from Massachusetts and celebrating her 10th Wedding Anniversary with her husband Ryan at the Aulani Resort at Ko Olina.  Her text said she had lost her three Engagement and Wedding Bands in the water 40 hours prior.  She was swimming with her husband at high tide and the water was fairly rough.  The water was over her head and probably a foot over her husbands head as they tried searching with snorkels.  Sadly they were leaving later that morning and Jaimie was obviously stressed about the highly sentimental loss.  I assured her I would do my best at a recovery.  My first opportunity was Saturday morning and I donned my scuba gear thinking this would be a fairly easy recovery in water a foot or more over my head and with the excellent location data Jaimie provided.  I brought my fluorescent orange grid line with me and started the scuba hunt in front of the Ama Ama restaurant.  After about a 2 hour underwater hunt I had only found a few trash targets with the Manticore.  I called Jaimie with the unfortunate news but assured her I would hunt again as there was a moment when a swimmer snagged my grid line and pulled me off target.  Again we went over the details of the loss and nothing changed.  The hurricane passed by Oahu and stirred up the lagoons but on Wednesday it was clear to hunt again.  OMG the same results this time I might have recovered two targets I missed the first time.  I assured Jaimie that I was going to attempt a Friday morning hunt when all the environmentals  were perfect.  Especially a low tide.  I arrived early and decided to hunt the lagoon walking until the sun was up over the hotels.  About ten minutes into the hunt, I got multiple targets in chest deep water.   On the second scoop there was a Platinum Band with Diamonds in the scoop.  I went for the next target and it was a White Gold band with Diamonds.  “Thank You Lord” I exclaimed knowing there was another target still on the bottom.  It took a few scoops but finally the Platinum Engagement ring with Diamonds was in the scoop.  Trifecta complete.  What a relief.  But why were they so shallow?  When I went ashore I started talking to the Catamaran sailors and we think what happened was Jaimie lost her rings on the extreme “King Tide” which is often a foot deeper then the normal high tide in the lagoon.  I’ll take that!  Whatever the reason we were blessed.  As you can see in the pic Jaimie received her rings back in Massachusetts this afternoon.  Puts a lump in my throat everytime!  Aloha to Jaimie & Ryan!

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Lost White Gold & Diamonds Wedding Ring at Queen’s Beach Waikiki…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This ring find began when I got a text from Ariana who was visiting from San Francisco, California celebrating her graduation.  The text said, “Hello!  Please help, I lost my wedding ring in the water at Waikiki.”  There was a map of Queen’s Beach attached.  I called her immediately and said I could be there in about 15 minutes.  She was five minutes away at her hotel and agreed to go back to the beach to show me where to hunt.  We met at the Surfer statue and she told me she had put her wedding ring on a necklace to keep from losing it and as she was coming to shore a wave hit her and when she got up her necklace was broke and the ring was gone.  The surf report was a bit off as waves were crashing into and up onto the shoreline.  I was not looking forward to this hunt!  As I entered the water a wave crashed into me and threw me back.  After regaining my posture I got a break in the swell and moved into the water.  I got an immediate #16 on the Nox and in one scoop there was Ariana’s White Gold & Diamond ring in the scoop.  I could not believe the blessing I just received.  I yelled to shore, “I got it!” and looks of bewilderment greeted me as I climbed up the shore slope.  Ariana looked into the scoop with disbelief and said,  “OMG that’s it!”  Many tourists thanked me for what I do.  No, Thank you! Elapsed time from water entry less then 1 minute.  So relieved I didn’t have to get plowed by the surf during a hunt.  Especially when Ariana really wasn’t sure when the ring had come off.  Ariana and Loren fly back to San Fran tomorrow and taking everything with them.  Aloha to Ariana & Loren!

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Lost Gold Heirloom Wedding Band at Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon Waikiki…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This ring find began yesterday when I got a text from Malia who lives in Honolulu.  While enjoying the cool water of the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon at Hilton Hawaiian Village her precious Yellow Gold Heirloom ring fell off in waist deep water and disappeared.  Her Grandmother had given it to her and it meant the world to her.  They tried snorkeling for the ring but it was well hidden in the soft sand.  She sent me a pic of the approximate location and example of the ring.  I told her I was getting off work soon and would grab my gear and head over to the lagoon and hunt immediately.  Always a concern in Waikiki that another of the myriad of detectorists that hunt there would find it.  When I arrived parking was easy and I was able to get to the spot quickly.  Experience made me start my grid search way to the left of the red “X” Malia had put on the map.  That way I cover it all and the lagoon was fairly free of traffic and the water crystal clear even at midday.  I started finding targets I knew another detectorist would pick up so I was confident we would find the ring.  Malia had said the ring should be about 15 feet from shore in waist deep water and that wasn’t the case until I got well into the search across from the pool entrance.  Then “Boom” nice loud 13-14 on the Nox and in one scoop there was the precious Heirloom Gold Wedding Ring in the scoop.  I immediately cleaned up and texted Malia a pic.  “That’s it!!!!!” she texted back along with “Thank you so much Happy Face”.  We met at Kahala Mall this evening for the return and more Thank yous and a hug!  Always great to help local people!  Aloha to Malia!

 

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Lost Platinum Engagement & Wedding Bands at Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This ring find began when I got a call from Beatrice who was on vacation from Portland Oregon and staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.  The previous day will walking in shallow water with her Granddaughter Sophia her Platinum Engagement & Wedding Bands fell off and disappeared in the shallow water of the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon.  She snorkeled and failed to find either ring.  Her son Jason bought a Garrett Ace 250 Detector but it made so much noise he only found a few cents in all the chatter.  They initially called fellow ring-finder Don Bryant who referred them to me as I live only moments away.  I told Beatrice I’d grab my gear and meet her at the Lagoon to start the search.  My initial instructions from Beatrice were misinterpreted and I started hunting two feet from the rock island you see behind her in the pic.  What she meant was “in” two feet of water in front of the rock island.  Once I had that key data point I immediately found the Platinum Wedding Band but it kept getting pushed away from my scoop.  It must have taken at least eight tries.  Beatrice didn’t seem as if that ring was hers so I continued searching.  After a short time in the same general area of the Platinum Band I got another tone and after about three scoops there was Beatrice’s beautiful Engagement Ring with a Solitaire Diamond with two Blue Sapphires on each side.  Then after looking again she realized the band was hers and it fit perfectly.  Excellent 2 for 2.  Vacation saved!  Much Aloha to Beatrice and her Family!

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Lost Gold with Amethyst Stone Ring at Hunakai Beach…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This ring find began when I got a text from Christina who lives in Honolulu.  She said she woke up this morning and realized her ring was no longer on her finger and she never takes it off.  The only thing she could think of was when she was at Hunakai Beach the day before she’s certain the ring must of come off in shallow water.  I agreed to meet her boyfriend Hubert at the beach access and he could show me where to hunt.  When I arrived Hubert pulled up a moment later and took me to an area under four palm trees where he and Christina were at the beach.  He helped me grid the area and I began the hunt.  This beach is trashy so every shallow target in the Nox’s gold range I dug.  After completing the grid I didn’t find the ring.  Hubert had to leave to pick someone up so I told him I would remain and expand the grid.  I stood on the shoreline and watched the flow.  I was sure the ring could be more to the right so I expanded that direction.  No luck!  I decided with little hope to extend the grid out to the left and while in waist deep water I got a nice 7-8 on the Nox.  After two scoops there was Christina’s pretty amethyst gold ring in the scoop.  You never know what the beach and waves can do.  I texted her a pic to confirm the find and about an hour later it was back on her finger.  Aloha to Christina & Hubert!

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Lost Gold Wedding Band at Obama’s Beach Waimanalo…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This ring find began when I was texted that a ladies cousin lost his wedding band on the beach.  I sent my phone number and Alan from Chicago, Illinois reached out yesterday and told me that he lost the gold wedding band when he was playing with his cousins in shallow water at Obama’s Beach in Waimanalo.  He wasn’t sure when it came off but he had remained in a confined area.  With the hurricane approaching and Alan leaving the next day back to Chicago I agreed to meet him early this morning for the hunt.  The area is protected by a coral rock breakwater so after Alan drew the extreme grid lines in the sand I started my search in the calm lagoon.  I detected some lead fishing weights and some copper bullet jackets so figured the ring would still be here.  On the second leg of the grid solid 17-18 on the Nox and on the second scoop there was Alan’s Gold Wedding Band in the scoop.  Alan was obviously ecstatic as I called to him on the shore that I had found his wedding band.  Vacation saved!  Alan returning to Chicago with Wedding Band back on his finger.  Aloha to Alan and his family!

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Lost Rose Gold Wedding Band in Aulani Lagoon Ko Olina Resort…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This ring find began when Taryn from Hawaii Kai reached out and told me her husband Jeremy had lost his Rose Gold Wedding Band in shallow water at Aulani’s Lagoon.  He had been brushing the sand off his leg when the ring fell off in shallow water.  I had nothing going on so I told Taryn I’d grab my gear and head down.  She told me they had already left after searching for at least an hour and were heading back to Hawaii Kai.  We discussed the details to the lost location and I told her I would call after the hunt.  Thankfully,  when I arrived the area was clear of beachgoers and I was able to start my grid search in earnest.  I had detected this area the day before and it was sterile.  Then about 20 minutes into the hunt “Boom!”  15-17 on the Nox and I knew it was the ring.  However the thinness of the ring allowed the sand to push it away from my scoop at least six times.  Finally, I had the target in the scoop and it was indeed Jeremy’s  ring.  I rinsed off and went back to my car and texted a pic of the ring asking, “This one?”  Response was “YES!!!”  We agreed to meet at the Jack Lord Bust at Kahala Mall for the return.  Smiles all around.  Aloha to Taryn & Jeremy!

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Lost Gold & Diamonds Wedding Ring at Lanikai Beach…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This ring find began when Nikki from Aiea, Hawaii reached out to me on the Metal Detecting Oahu Facebook page.  I posted my number and she called immediately.  While at Lanikai Beach with her children she had taken off her Engagement and Wedding rings and put them in a puka of her beach chair.  After returning home she realized she had left the rings in the chair and when she went out to retrieve them the Wedding Ring was gone.  She looked everywhere she could think of with no luck.  Her only conclusion is it must have fallen out at the beach when she folded the chair.  We decided to meet at the beach to ensure I hunted the exact spot in the dry sand.  We had a little difficulty parking but finally were able to start the hunt.  I started an East-West grid search and after covering the area thoroughly I only found a piece of aluminum.  Nikki was sure we were in the correct spot so on a whim I adjusted to a North-South grid search.  Boom!  A sudden 9/10 on the Nox and after four scoops Nikki’s beautiful Gold & Diamonds ring was in the scoop.  I walked over and pointed in the scoop.  She shouted with joy and it was all she could do to hold back the tears.  We hugged and I noticed her Pittsburgh Steelers keychain.  Turns out although she is from Michigan she is a staunch Steelers fan.  Soo happy we had a successful hunt.  Remember boys & girls the 90 degree adjustment in the grid search made for a successful recovery.  This has happened a few times especially in Waikiki sand.  Aloha to Nikki!

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