metal detecter rental oahu Tag | Page 10 of 36 | The Ring Finders

Lost Gold and Diamond Ring at Kuhio Beach Waikiki…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)

This ring find began when I got a text from Alberto asking if I was able to help us in Waikiki find a ring?  I was just finishing up work and decided to call and see what the circumstances were.  Alberto on vacation from Santa Monica, California said that while crab walking in the water with his 4 year old Niece his friend Andrew’s Gold & Diamond ring came off in shallow water at Kuhio Beach.  They searched for about four hours with no luck.  I told Andrew I’d head home and grab my detecting gear and be there in about 30 minutes.  When I arrived Andrew & Alberto met me on the beach to show me the area they believed the ring came off.  Alberto helped by being a grid marker out in the water for me.   As I was working shoreward Alberto said he didn’t think the ring would be any closer to the shore and that I should probably extend the search out to the east and deeper.  I hadn’t even found a target yet this beach was sterile.  As I was heading deeper Alberto said maybe just about ten feet more.  After that I turned around and started the inbound leg when I got a booming tone 12-13-14 on the Nox.  I scooped twice but missed the target I was thinking this might be a small piece of can slaw but the target was still in the same spot.  On the third try I had the target in the scoop and “BINGO” it was Andrew’s ring.  I could instantly see the relief on Andrew’s face as I told them I found it.  They both agreed,  The vacation was saved!  Aloha to Andrew & Alberto!

Lost Gold and Silver Wedding Band at Kahala Beach…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)

This ring find began when a got a call yesterday evening from Malachy who lives in Kahala on Oahu.  While walking in the water at Kahala Beach with his lovely wife Fenix, Malachy’s Gold and Silver Wedding band slipped off in waist deep water and disappeared.  They tried snorkeling to find the ring but no luck.  We agreed to meet the next morning at beach access 133C which leads you down to the area the ring was lost.  Fenix & Malachy walked me down to the beach and we placed some blankets up in the shore bushes to create a grid.  Since they lived very close by, I told them they could go home and relax and I would call them when the ring was recovered.  This beach is fairly trashy so I had to be very selective on target recoveries.  Being two precious metals combined I wasn’t really sure what numbers to expect on the Nox,  but for sure the ring should be just under the surface and a loud solid tone.  I skipped over several targets until I got a boomer and after two scoops there was a can bottom in my scoop.   Darn!  Thought I had it.  Then on the third leg of the grid in waist deep water I got that awesome tone and in one scoop there was the magnificent Mountains, Moon, Meteor and Waves in Gold ring in my scoop.  I have to say this was one of the coolest rings I’ve ever seen.  I went back to my car and called Malachy to let him know the good news.  After returning the ring Malachy said, “You saved my marriage”!  Something tells me they wouldn’t let this ring loss split up this wonderful couple! Aloha to Fenix & Malachy!

Lost Gold Wedding Band at Kaimana Beach Waikiki…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)

This ring find began when I got a call from Chris who was on her 50th Wedding Anniversary celebration at Waikiki Beach when her husband Bob’s Yellow Gold Wedding Band slipped off in waist deep water at Kaimana Beach.  They were leaving the next day for home in Seekonk, Massachusetts.  I told Chris I just got out of the water from a morning hunt but I would gear up again and be there in about 30 minutes.  It was early enough that I wouldn’t have a problem parking near to the beach.  When I arrived Bob & Chris met me on the beach and we proceeded down to the water.  Bob acted as my marker for where he thought the ring came off his finger.  I did a grid parallel to the shore and no joy.  Since I wasn’t exactly sure what the tides were and the ring was lost 2 hours prior to my arrival I decided to go perpendicular to the shore and went out to at least neck deep to be sure.  Again, Bob was my marker.  When I was near the second to last grid line I got a loud #12-13 on the Nox.  I was maybe 10 feet from Bob in waist deep water and it took about 8 scoops to get that target in my scoop.  I was beginning to think it might be a bathing suit rivet when I finally recovered the target and was letting the sand drain from my scoop their appeared a very unique yellow gold ring.  I showed it to Bob and he exclaimed excitedly, “That’s it” and immediately put it on his finger.  He shouted to Chris on the shore he got it and many applauses from the beach goers went up.  I was so relieved to have found this ring that Bob kept reminding me “50 YEARS Joe”  Much Aloha to Chris & Bob and many more!

Lost White Gold & Diamonds Engagement Ring at Shorebird Beach Waikiki…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)

This ring find began when I got a voicemail from Raquel who was on vacation from Atlanta, Georgia with her husband Bill.  While sitting in shallow water at Shorebird Beach Waikiki her White Gold & Diamonds Engagement ring fell off and disappeared in the shore break sand.  They and several others hunted with mask & snorkel for over two hours and couldn’t find the ring.  Raquel “Googled” water metal detecting services and that’s how she found my number.  My work day was nearly over so I called her and said I’d have my wife drop me off at the nearby Army Museum and hunt for her ring.  Thankfully traffic was still light and I was able to get there in about 30 minutes after picking up my detecting gear.  When I arrived Bill & Raquel showed me the area of concern and Bill even stood in the water as a marker so I could keep position as I hunted around beachgoers as the tide and surf was coming up too.  I went out to the deep side of the grid and searched toward shore.  There were a few targets but not the ring.  Raquel assured me she was in very shallow water so I guessed the ring could have been pushed up the shoreline by a swell.  Sure enough as I started gridding the wet sand I got a loud #9 on the Nox and in one scoop I had the target.  Anyone that has hunted this beach knows how coarse and lumpy the sand is so I dumped my scoop in the higher up wet sand and as I glanced down there was Raquel’s stunning ring glistening in the sand.  I bent down picked it up and exclaimed,  “Got it”!  Raquel was so relieved I could see a few tears welling up in her eyes.  We hugged as I handed her back her ring.  Oh the joy of a recovery!  Aloha to Raquel & Bill!

Lost Platinum Wedding Band at Punaluu Beach…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)

This ring find began when I got a text Monday from John who lives on Oahu with his lovely wife Kiara at the Ko Olina Resort.  In the text John told me that Sunday afternoon while spending time with his wife and in-laws at Punaluu Beach relaxing in the shallow water, he got bumped pretty hard from an incoming swell set and noticed his ring missing after removing his hand from the water.  He immediately told everyone and they commenced a snorkeling search to no avail.  John sent me a google earth pic of the required search area and I went that afternoon.  I started my grid search at the South end and worked North.  Thankfully it was fairly clean and I only found a few fishing weights and can slaw.  As I was nearing the end of the grid thinking this was going to be a bust, I got a nice tone on the Nox and in one scoop there was John’s Platinum Wedding band in the scoop.  I texted him a pic that “I got it” and we agreed to meet at Ko Olina Friday AM for the return.  What a wonderful couple. They were very appreciative and rewarded me handsomely!  Aloha to John & Tiara!

Lost Gold & Diamond Heirloom Engagement Ring at Shorebird Beach Waikiki…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)

This ring find began when I got a text from Jeremy who was on vacation with his lovely wife Cate and hail from Maryland.  His text said, ” My wife Cate lost her engagement ring on Thursday as we were collecting our things after a surfing lesson at Gone Surfing in Waikiki.  We are pretty sure it is in front of their stand where everyone checks in.  Any chance you are available to help us find it?  It is tiny, but a 100+ year old family heirloom and very important to her. ” My heart sunk knowing so much time has gone by and the area gets pounded by metal detectorists all the time.  I told them the odds were low but Cate wanted to ease her mind that at least we checked.  I arranged to go yesterday afternoon but the area was packed with tourists with too many distractions.  I told them I’d try again that evening when everyone was gone and I had free movement through the area.  That evening when I arrived there was only one lone tourist sitting on the beach so I started my hunt in earnest.  The area wasn’t large but not knowing where Cate & Jeremy had collected their items I decided to expand the search in all directions.  My first pass I found a pull tab that had been there awhile then a $1.01 coin spill.  I was starting to think we might have a blessing coming.  One the second pass a few feet out from the first I got a booming “7” on the Nox and in one scoop there was a sparkling diamond in a tiny ring in the scoop.  I guess this is where the items were gathered.  I texted a picture to Cate & Jeremy and the response was, “THAT”S IT!!!!”  Since they were leaving at 5AM the next morning they decided to pick up the ring at my home which was all the way across the island.  They arrived in record time and you can see the joy on their faces in the pic above.  Aloha to Cate & Jeremy!

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

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)


This ring find began when I got a text that said, “Hello Mr. Au-Franz my name is Louis. My wife Audrey lost her ring on Lanikai Beach today on our honeymoon. We were wondering if you were available to look for it? Thank you very much.” I immediately called Louie and he told me that him and his lovely wife Audrey were on their honeymoon from North Carolina. Audrey had gotten stung on her wedding ring finger by a Portuguese Man-O-War in the water. When she came ashore, she removed her wedding ring and put it on her pinky finger. Then her and Louie gathered up their beach gear and were headed back to Waikiki where they were staying. Suddenly, while walking down the beach access path Audrey realized her ring had fallen off her pinky. She wasn’t quite sure where but took note of their surroundings. Louis did a Google search for lost ring and he said my newspaper article from 2021 came up and along with “The Ring Finders” and that’s when he reached out with the text. I told Louis I didn’t want much time to go by as Lanikai is heavily detected. We agreed to meet first light at 5AM the next morning. They actually arrived at 4:30 and I’m sure that was from the anxiety of the lost wedding ring. It was pitch dark but I had my headlamp and we proceeded down the beach access path. Audrey showed me where she discovered her ring missing. I said lets start where you were packing up your belongings as that would be the most likely spot. When there Audrey drew a grid in the sand as I shown my headlamp so she could see where she was at. The grid was quite large but very flat and easy enough. Thankfully, Lanikai is very clean with very little trash. The targets actually surprise you. The first target was a pull top and then a part to a pen. Next I found a 5 Euro Cent and asked Louie if it was his as he is from the UK. It wasn’t! Next I got a nice “13” on the Nox and in one scoop I had the target. I peered into the scoop with my headlamp and saw a tiny shiny gold band with three little diamonds in the bottom. I yelled over to Audrey & Louie and said, “This probably isn’t your ring as it’s outside the grid. They came over and exclaimed, “Oh my gosh that’s it!” They both said “Thank You, for saving our honeymoon.” That’s why I love this hobby so! Aloha to Audrey & Louie!

Lost Koa & Turquoise Inlaid Ring at Ulua Lagoon Ko Olina Resort…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)


This ring find began while I was hunting Ulua Lagoon for a visitor. While on the extreme North side Paul from Las Vegas Nevada approached me and asked if I could assist him in finding a Koa and Turquoise Inlaid ring. He lost it the evening before while relaxing in the shallow water. Then he said, “Oh never mind its wood & stone.” I said, “It has to have a base metal!” And Paul said, “I guess your right.” He pointed to the area in the water he was sitting with his girlfriend and I immediately started a quick grid search. There were some children in the way and when they moved I continued and immediately got a screaming 16-18 on the Nox. I looked over at Paul and said I’ll bet this is it. In one scoop as the sand drained out there shining in the scoop was Paul’s unique ring. Nice way to end my hunt. Aloha to Paul!

Lost Tungsten Wedding Band in the sand behind the Duke Kahanamoku Statue at Waikiki Beach…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)


This ring find began when my fellow ring finder Don referred Marquis from Baton Rouge Louisiana to give me a call as I live 10 minutes from Waikiki Beach. Marquis told me he was on his honeymoon celebrating in Waikiki and when he picked up his gear as he was leaving the Beach, his Black Tungsten Wedding Band must have fallen out. He said they were directly behind the Duke Statue in the dry sand. I unfortunately, had just gotten dressed to attend a belated Father’s Day Dinner Party at Ala Moana which is minutes from Waikiki. I promised Marquis I’d bring my detecting gear with me and as soon as dinner was over my wife and I would stop by and recover his ring. Around 8:30PM Marquis texted that he was waiting at the Duke Beach. I texted him we were finishing dessert and I’d be on my way shortly. Thankfully, when we arrived there was one stall of HPD parking open and I parked there. From there I could see Marquis standing under the Duke Statue. I asked my wife to wait in the car as I suspected this would be a quick hunt and it was. A mere 5 minutes later I was heading home. Marquis was shocked how quick the recovery happened and exclaimed, “Joe your a Legend” Not exactly but go ahead and feel that way. If I understood him correctly his wife didn’t know and they would be flying home in the morning. Aloha to Marquis!

Lost Gold & Cobalt with Diamonds Wedding Band in Ulua Lagoon Ko Olina…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)


This ring find began on Monday when I got a heads up from Aloha Security that they stopped a gentleman at the lagoon for metal detecting and told him to contact myself for recovery. His detector wasn’t made for salt water so it was basically useless for a recovery. Keith is a Chief Navy Diver stationed in Hawaii and he reached out to me for ring finder services. After getting a map drawing and a few pics I told the Chief I’d hunt for his ring the next day after work. Aloha Security was also at the beach and confirmed the pics depicted the correct area to hunt. The Chief had been playing with his young sons in the water and at some point his ring came off. He was only out to chest deep water so all this info helps immensely with the hunt. I fired up the Nox and headed into the water to conduct a grid search. First target was a gold plated silver bracelet. The next target was a Gold Hawaiian style ring with the letter “D” on it. Next I found a fake Cartier Gold Love ring. Man what’s going on here I wondered? 20 minutes in and three pieces of jewelry. Finally I got a booming number “16” on the Nox and in one scoop in waist deep water out came Keith’s magnificent ring. I showed Aloha Security the find and immediately texted Keith a pic of his ring. He responded, “Having a rough day at work, your news couldn’t have come at a better time. Thanks Joe” That’s what it all about! We met up the next day at the Navy Exchange and Chief now has his ring back on his finger. Aloha to Chief Keith!