Joe Au-Franz, Author at The Ring Finders

Lost White Gold Wedding Band at Ulua Lagoon Ko Olina Resort…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This ring find began on Sunday March 24th when I got a text from Scott who was on vacation from British Columbia, Canada.  Two days prior, he lost his White Gold Wedding Band in Ulua Lagoon at Ko Olina Resort.  He was playing football in shallow water and building sand castles with his kids along the shoreline.  He sent me some pics of the event so I was able to triangulate the search area.  Initially splitting the beach in half I ended up on the wrong side and that hunt yielded very little and most importantly not Scott’s wedding ring.  On the second attempt there were many people in the water so I aborted the hunt until Easter Sunday morning when the lagoon was practically empty.  On about the third leg of the grid search in belly deep water I got a nice strong tone on the Manticore and in one scoop there was Scott’s ring glistening in my scoop.  I went to my car and sent Scott a picture of his ring with a « Happy Easter ».  Scott finally received his ring this afternoon in Canada and sent me the awesome pic above.  That blooming tree is really special.  Much Aloha to our Northern neighbor Scott!

 

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Lost White Gold Wedding Ring at Aulani Beach Ko Olina Resort…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This ring find began when I got a call from Lindsey who was on vacation from Reno, Nevada.  While throwing a football in waist deep water at Aulani Beach Ko Olina resort her husband Jason’s White Gold Wedding Ring flew off and into the shallow water of the lagoon and disappeared into the soft white sand.  She had been wearing his ring for safe keeping.  It was nearly knock-off from work so I told Lindsey I would run home grab my gear and head out to the resort before rush hour traffic.  When I arrived Lindsey came down to the beach and showed me the area to hunt.  There were many tourists on the beach but knowing what happened they graciously let me work.  Lindsey took her son down the beach to see what wildlife they might encounter and she was going to check back with me in a few moments.  I fired up the Manticore and began my grid search.  I just cleared this lagoon a few weeks ago so I didn’t get any targets until a nice solid No. 35 on the beast and in one scoop there was Jason’s White Gold Band in the scoop.  I could see Lindsey was finishing up her walk and Jason had joined her with their two daughters and son.  I yelled over »I got it »  and Lindsey said, Really? »  I showed them the ring and they assured me it was the one.  We took a few pics and I was able to explain the metal detector to the inquisitive children.  Always an opportunity to share the hobby!  Aloha to Jason, Lindsey and their children!

 

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Lost Gold Wedding band at Makua Beach…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This ring find began when I got a text from Valeria late yesterday evening asking if I could hunt that night or the next morning.  I immediately called the number to get the details.  Valeria was sitting on the beach with her ring in her lap to put on some sun tan lotion.  Her dog jumped up from where they were on the beach so when Valeria jumped up to get him the ring flew out into the sand somewhere and disappeared.  We decided to meet at 7ish the next morning at Makua Beach so I could be shown the area to hunt.  Daniel & Valeria arrived and she remained behind to watch the vehicles while Daniel and I went down to hunt.  Daniel drew a box in the sand for me and I started the grid search.  I got a nice « 57 » on the Manticore and after two scoops there was Valeria’s beautiful band glistening in the morning sunlight.  Elapsed time maybe one minute.  When we got back to the car Valeria was shocked to see us so quick.  Daniel didn’t hesitate and immediately gave her back her ring.  She was in shock as to how quick her day got so much better then yesterday!  Aloha to Valeria & Daniel!

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Lost Gold Wedding Band at 4 Seasons Resort Ko Olina…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This ring find began as I was exiting the 4 Seasons Lagoon at Ko Olina Resort.  A gentleman named Matt had asked my bud Terry if I had found a wide gold wedding ring and not knowing, he told the gentleman to ask me as I was exiting the water.  So Matt who was on his Honeymoon from Paso Robles, California approached me as I was exiting the water and asked if I had found a wide gold wedding band while I was hunting the lagoon.  He described perfectly the 18K Gold Band I just found about 30 minutes earlier in chest deep water.  To be sure it fit him perfectly and he recognized and described a gash the ring had in it.  Matt’s lovely bride Megan joined us and told me they thought it would never be found after losing it the day before.  They were thinking it would be out to sea by now.  Thankfully the lagoons are calm and most rings just sink to the bottom and stay put.  Matt and Megan were very appreciative and happy their Honeymoon was back on a high note. Aloha to Megan & Matt!

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Lost White Gold Wedding Band at Hale Koa Beach Waikiki…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This ring find began when I got a text from Brittany who was on vacation from Dallas Texas.  Her text said she got my info from Don my fellow ring finder on Oahu and said her husband Michael lost his white gold wedding ring on Hale Koa Beach in the dry sand.  I told her I was getting off work soon and would grab my gear and head right down.  I told her I would come down the board walk and just flag me when I came in sight.  When I arrived on location Michael was already removing beach items from the search area and showed me the area he thought the ring would be.  I fired up the « Beast » my Manticore off course and started the hunt.  My first target screamed a « 36 » and in one scoop there was Michael’s precious Tacori white gold wedding ring.  Brittany asked if that was my fastest recovery and i said, « No, I actually turned my detector on at Turtle Bay and the ring was under my coil.  But this for sure is second quickest!!!  They sincerely thanked me and I wished them well on the rest of their vacation.  Aloha to Michael & Brittany!

 

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Lost Men’s Wedding Band at Aulani Beach Ko Olina Resort…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This ring find began when I got a text last night from Kristofer who lives in Southern California and was on his Honeymoon with his lovely wife Jizelle and staying at Aulani Resort.  He found me on the RingFinders site.  Kristofer texted just as he entered the water his ring slipped off and disappeared in knee deep water.  Looking at the surf report the west side was forecast for 40 foot surf tomorrow so I told him I’d come first thing in the morning.  Kristofer gave me a decent description of the search area so when I arrived the next morning I started an immediate hunt.  About twenty minutes into the hunt I got a screaming target in chest deep water and surprisingly it was the ring.  Must of had some major wave action over night for the ring to get that deep.  In any case, I called Kristofer with the good news and him and Jizelle came down to the beach for the return.  We had a few laughs and hugs and they were obviously overjoyed that the ring was back on his finger.  Aloha to Kristofer & Jizelle!

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Lost Rose Gold Promise Ring at Paki Park Playground…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This ring find began when I got a call from Ijah who lives in Honolulu with his lovely wife Alison.  After enjoying a day at Paki Park Playground with their son, Alison was leaving and as she picked up her bag her two rings fell into the grass and disappeared.  She had taken them off to apply sunscreen and had placed them on the bag for safe keeping.  Ijah & Alison were able to find the Engagement Ring but not the sentimental rose gold promise ring.  I asked him if the grass in the park was long or short and when we could meet.  He told me he was heading there again to hunt some more so I told him I’d head over after my business appointment.  When I called to let Ijah know I was on my way, he told me that the grass was recently mowed, probably that morning.  My heart sunk thinking the mower would either slaughter the ring or throw it into infinity.  I told Ijah to expect the worst and pray for the best I was still going to hunt.  When I arrived I was able to street park right at the lost ring spot.  Ijah had placed a plastic bear where they had found the one ring already.  I started my grid search there.  I had a few false targets probably EMI then a boomer on the Manticore.  The grass was fairly thick so I stooped down with my pinpointer and as it went off the probe exposed a shiny rose gold ring.  Got it Ijah!  Wow! I can’t believe it!  That was so fast.  Ijah called his wife over to show her and she was obviously relieved after searching for two days.  We said a few pleasantries and handshakes then I walked away thankful the mower failed to ruin the hunt.  Aloha to Alison & Ijah!

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Lost Gold, Sapphire & Diamonds Engagement Ring at Makua Beach…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This ring find began when I got a text Monday from Nicole who was on Oahu for a vacation with her brother Kevin.  Nicole is from Connersville, Indiana.  Nicole said she found myself online and wanted to know if I had any availabilities this week?  She lost her Gold, Sapphire & Diamonds Wedding and Engagement Rings on Makua Beach in the dry sand.  She spotted her Wedding Band but the Engagement Ring eluded her.  They rented some Metal Detectors locally but that brand doesn’t work in a salt water environment.  Giving up after a fruitless noisy search is when they found me.  The weather has been extremely rainy and we were hoping for a break to hunt properly.  That break happened this morning and Nicole and her brother Kevin were able to meet at Makua Beach to show me the area to hunt.  Nicole guarded our vehicles « high crime area » and Kevin led me down to the beach.  Kevin drew a box in the sand where they believed the ring would be and I fired up the Manticore to begin my search.  OMG immediately the Beast was overloading on the massive amount of metal trash in the sand.  This had been a homeless encampment and the trash was heavy.  I tuned down the Manticore and decided only to hunt low tone shallow targets.  Still plenty of interference but I worked thru it the best I could.  I was praying I didn’t ignore the ring target when suddenly I got a loud #17 shallow target and as I retrieved the scoop I got a glimpse of a pretty blue stone.  I shook the scoop gently and Nicole’s beautiful ring came into view.  I shouted over to Kevin, « Got it! »  he was shocked first that I even found the ring and then under ten minutes.  We snuck up on Nicole seated in the car and showed her the results.  Obviously she was overwhelmed with joy and was very thankful for the recovery.  Not that a young lady ever ends up in the dog house….Nicole told me she could now tell hubby but with a sense of peace.  Enjoy the rest of your vacation and a very warm Aloha to Nicole and Kevin!

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Lost White Gold Wedding Band at Outrigger Canoe Club Beach…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This ring find began when I got a text from Kai who lives in Aina Haina on Oahu.  His text said Happy New Year and if I could help him find his ring in the dry sand at Outrigger Canoe Club Beach.  He had it in his hat but at some point it went missing on the beach.  I told Kai I could grab my gear and head down.  He said he was a guest at the club and that he could get me parking there.  I rushed down and Kai met me in the parking garage.  We headed down to the beach where I met Kai’s lovely wife Larissa and a few friends.  Kai drew a grid in the sand for me to hunt and I began.  This area hadn’t been hunted for awhile so I had to clean up some tin, two pennies and a quarter.  Then I got a nice solid slightly high tone and after two scoops there was Kai’s White Gold Wedding Band in the scoop.  I said this isn’t it is it?  Oh yeah that’s it and an applause went up on the beach.  Great way to start the New Year.  Aloha to Kai & Larissa!

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Lost White Gold Wedding Band at Honu Lagoon Ko Olina Resort…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This ring find began when I got a call from Aloha Security.  They had the contact number for Angelo who was on vacation from Half Moon Bay, California and just lost his White Gold Wedding Band at Honu Lagoon.  I called Angelo and he told me he was playing volleyball with his daughter Jaymie and he believed his ring had come off while diving for the ball.  He assured me it was either in the wet sand or no deeper then ankle height water.  I told Angelo I’d pack my gear and head right down.  Take a little longer then 1/2 hour.  When I arrived Angelo his wife Lauren and Jaymie were waiting.  Angelo drew a box in the sand for me so I started dry and worked towards the wet.  Just as I worked into the wet shoreline I got a nice « 47 » scream on the Manticore.  I had to scoop three times to get the target out of the hole but when I rinsed the scoop it was empty.  As I moved toward the hole I saw the White Gold Band laying on the surface and scooped it up for Angelo who had been watching the hunt.  Vacation saved and a big Happy New Year Aloha to Angelo, Lauren & Jaymie

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