Joe Au-Franz, Author at The Ring Finders

This ring find began on 2 November when I got a message asking « How much do you charge to locate a ring? »  from Jose who is in the Army stationed on Oahu.  It’s reward based and that’s always up to the customer.  Since the lagoons were rough and with high tides along with a three day coin show that weekend I told Jose I would hunt Veteran’s Day early morning.  He sent me some excellent photos of the area to hunt.  Since I start on the left side of a grid normally and work to the right it actually took an hour and a half to recover the ring as it was on the extreme right side of the grid as I was begining to think this was going to be a fail.  Jose swung by this evening to pick up his ring.  Smiling & Freed from the dog house!  Aloha to Jose!

This ring find began when I got a text from Josh who was on vacation from Cleveland, Ohio with his Wife Novi & Son Johnathan that said, « Hello.  We lost a ring. »  I asked where and he said « Bagley Beach » which turned out to be Waimanalo Beach which is a bit further South.  Turns out his wife Novi’s ring fell out of a beach bag when her son came ashore after being stung by a Portugese Man-O-War.  Josh shook the sand out of the beach bag not knowing Novi’s Platinum & Diamonds ring was inside.  I was just finishing up work and told them I would run home grab my gear and head over.  It was about 30 minutes from my home.  When I arrived Josh met me and directed me to a parking stall that just opened up.  We headed down to the beach and it’s known for all the metal trash from all the parties that go on there.  Although the area was considerably small I must have dug a dozen targets.  Thankfully too I went out of the grid as the ring sang a nice 15-16 on the Manticore a few feet out of the grid.  Novi was obviously relieved when I pull her ring out of the scoop and said Got it!   A few pleasantries and I was on my way.  Aloha to Novi, Josh & Johnathan!

This ring find began when I got a text from Cindy who was on vacation from Riverside , California and visiting Oahu.  While at Royal Hawaiian Beach they saw a metal detectorist in the water hunting.  Arturo, Cindy’s husband, approached him in the water and asked if a ring could be found in the water.  They told him that on Tuesday his wife Cindy lost her White Gold and Diamonds Wedding & Engagement Rings at Ulua Lagoon in Ko Olina Resort.  The detectorist ended up being a friend of mine named Mike and he told them to get a hold of me as the resort’s detectorist.  I got the text in church and contacted Cindy after we finished.  She gave me the details and a really good photo of the location lost.  When I got home from church I grabbed my gear and headed out to Ulua Lagoon.  When I got to the area there were many children playing in the water and I had to gingerly manuever around them.  Most actually got out of my way when I told them what I was doing.  There were several targets in the water.  I found a skeleton medallion and a FAITH bracelet.  Then in about thigh deep water I got a nice solid tone and in two scoops there was Cindy’s beautiful Engagement Ring in the scoop.  I marked my spot and started doing circles around the point and about three feet away I got another similar tone and after three scoops there was the Wedding Ring.  I called Arturo & Cindy  and told them of the successful hunt.  They were very appreciative and currently in Waikiki.  I told them we could meet at my home just 10 minutes from where they were. They got to enjoy a Waikiki sunset then came to my home for her ring.  Cindy told me she made peace and actually thought she would never see her ring again.  They were playing « Monkey in the Middle » while throwing a football and when Cindy attempted to catch the football her rings flew off and disappeared into the murky stirred up water.  As you can see in the pic the spirit of Aloha came through.  Aloha to Cindy & Arturo!

This ring find began Saturday 27 July when I got a text from Harmony who was on vacation from Rosenberg, Texas and visiting the Aulani Resort.  While fixing her swimsuit in shallow water her Gold Ring slipped off and she watched it slowly sink in the water.  She tried to catch it but it was too late.  She sent some accurate pictures of the locaton so I went back Sunday for the hunt.  Surprisingly, there were so many people in the water I couldn’t do a thorough search so I quit to try another day.  Then a jellyfish invasion kept me out until the next Friday and that hunt was unsuccessful.  I decided Saturday early morning low tide would give me the best conditions.  Thankfully,  in much deeper water then expected the ring came up in my scoop.  Harmony finally got home today for fall break from college and was so thankful to put the ring back on her finger.  Look at that incredible smile!  Aloha to Harmony!!!

This ring find began when I got a call from Kathy who was on vacation from Buffalo, New York and staying at the Hale Koa Hotel in Waikiki.  While enjoying a day at the beach with friends she put her four rings in a beach wrap to apply suntan lotion.  Later when she retrieved the wrap her four rings fell out into the sand.  They were able to find three but the fourth ring which was her Father’s wedding ring became well hidden in the sand and after an hour with no sign of the precious heirloom that’s when someone told them about « The Ring Finders ».  I told Kathy I was 15 minutes away and would come right down to hunt.  When I arrive, turn on the detector and take a few steps.  BOOM #41 on the Manticore, one scoop and ring recovered.  Hugs & Joy all around!  Aloha to Kathy!

This ring find began when I got a text from Jason from Houston, Texas  who was spending his honeymoon in Waikiki with his lovely wife Diana.  While the newlyweds were enjoying a Waikiki sunset and after entering the water Jason realized his white gold wedding band had fallen off his finger.  He hadn’t moved around too much and had the exact location pinpointed so I agreed to meet them first light and see if we could find his ring.  We met on Queen’s Beach at 6:30 and Jason went over the location to hunt.  I did the topside dry sand and down the wet slope a ways but the ring never showed.  I realized I was going to have to enter the water.  It was high tide and the water was going way up the slope and I wasn’t looking forward to the fight.  Thankfully, no good targets in the water and on the third leg going up the wet slope I got a loud 34-46 tone on the Manticore and one scoop later there was Jason’s ring.  The honeymooners were obviously over the moon with excitement with the quick recovery.  A few hugs and handshakes and now they can enjoy their honeymoon with out having a lost wedding ring hanging over them.  While waiting for them, I found a black silicone band I gave to Jason so it could help hold his band in place.  Aloha to Jason & Diana!

This ring find began Thursday while I was in Everett, Washington for work.  Scott from the Bay Area in San Fran texted me that he lost his Rose Gold Wedding Band at Malaekahana Beach while throwing a football with friends along the shoreline.  I told him I would be returning Friday afternoon and I could hunt for him then.  It turns out Saturday morning worked out better for the both of us so we agreed on 7am.  When we met up the gate to the beach was locked so we went and parked along the road and Scott and his friend took me to the area on the beach where he lost the ring.  After drawing the extreme ends of the grid for me I asked Scott what time he lost the ring and it turned out to be the extreme high tide so the ring could certainly be in the dry sand now.  I started up high parallel  to shore and worked towards the water.  First target was a screaming #65 on the Manticore and on the second scoop there was Scott’s Rose Gold Wedding Ring in the scoop.  I was actually quite amazed myself because the elapsed time was less then a minute.  I shouted over to Scott who looked very amazed himself that I had found his ring so quickly.  Some of his friends told him I probably wouldn’t find it so the hope was probably low.  A few hugs and handshakes and well wishes and for sure Scott wouldn’t be in the dog house.  Aloha to Scott!